Analytica MK

Proposed changes and amendments for the Law on Civil Servants - a path towards depolitization of the Civil Service?

2009-10-16T16:35:00.006+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
September 2009

Reforms in the Law on Civil Servants were put in front of Macedonia’s authorities as a main precondition for getting positive remarks in the EC Annual Progress Report. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice had proceeded with the drafting of changes and amendments in the existing law and made them open to the public and the members of the parliament. According to the minister of Justice, Mihajlo Manevski, the proposed changes will produce positive effects on the overall functioning of the Civil Service and thus all obstacles that prevented the Civil Service from being independent, autonomous and in serve of citizens will be eliminated.

Five segments that the Proposal focuses on:
• the range of civil servants;
• redefinition of role and competencies of the Civil Servants Agency;
• employment of civil servants aiming at shortening of deadlines and reducing
the duration of the procedure;
• mobility (advancement) of civil servants through introduction of internal call; and career supplements.

On 24th of August 2009, the Law entered in the parliamentary procedure for first reading in the parliamentary commissions. It was initially expected that the changes and amendments will be approved with consensus until 15th of September 2009. However, based on the initial reactions by the opposition and some prominent experts, who were determined that the changes and amendments proposed do not move lagging issues forward, the consensual approval of the amendments was under a question mark. Vlado Buckovski from the biggest opposition party (SDSM) says that it is illogical that Civil Servants will be provided with the opportunity to advance in the hierarchy starting from the lowest level up to the highest one, for a period of only five years. The first amendment discussion was characterized with rough debates accompanied by 80 amendments filed from the political parties. The main amendment filed by the ruling party (VMRO – DPMNE) had to do with removing of the article which states that the Head of the Civil Service might be discharged from the position if the Parliament does not approve its Report. Albanian parties’ main concern had to do with existence of mechanisms in the legal provisions which would guarantee implementation of equitable representation of all ethnic communities in the Civil Service.
Surprisingly, most of the amendments were accepted and the changes and amendments were approved with wide consensus. Both parties (ruling and opposition) were significantly satisfied with what was achieved. Furthermore, it was one of the rare situations when both sides appraised each other for being rational and constructive, giving priority to country’s interest for EU accession instead of daily political outmaneuvers.
At this stage, it can only be concluded that due to the achieved consensus, the new legal frame has strong political backing and is good enough to ensure depolitization. However, the next challenge will with no doubt be its full implementation.

Failing to be Accountable; Failing to Meet the Benchmark: Macedonia’s Judicial Reforms

2009-08-30T23:19:00.004+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
August 2009
Filip Taseski - Residential intern

Failing to be Accountable; Failing to Meet the Benchmark: Macedonia’s Judicial Reforms

The reforms of the judicial system in Macedonia are crucial requirement for the start of the accession negotiations with the European Union (EU). This newsletter comments on the actual situation in this sector prior the 2009 EC progress report.

Brief Overview of Reform

The authorities in Macedonia continued with the reforms in the judicial system after the 2008 EU progress report was published. On August 5th 2009 in the daily newspapers the Government published a statement for its activities in this area for the pastyear. According to this, 15 new laws have been passed or are in a procedure to be passed that refer to the judicial system, like the new law on Court Service, Law for Lobbying, Law for Management of Confiscated Property, Law for the Public Defender, Law on the Financing of Political Parties etc. In respect to harmonization of the existing laws with the European legislation the country had showed significant progress.vMoreover, the country has continued with itsvefforts to enhance the institutional capacity of the judiciary. New institutions have been set to ensure more efficient due process of law. A new court of Appeals has started to function in Gostivar, new specialized Public Prosecutor was created to deal with corruption and organized crime, the new Administrative Court has been fully functional and ten graduates from the Academy for Judges and Prosecutors have been appointed to public prosecutors. The modernization process of the courts continued and reconstruction of the courts’ buildings and equipping the courts has been finished in Prilep, Tetovo, Veles, Strumica nd Ohrid. This project was conducted
with the help of the World Bank. Additionally the changes in the Law of Execution, the Law on Mediation and the decision of the Ministry of Justice to lower court taxes
and offer free court services to members of the lowest social layers improved the access to justice.
However, biggest defficiency in the Macedonian judicial branch remains the lack of human capital management. Although significant number of training programs for judges were conducted and the Academy is functional, still hiring and promotion of court servants (and the overall administration) is problematic.
Employments and rewards on political basis still occur. The Government is expected to
pass legislation dealing with this matter in mid September.
Another problematic area is the slowness of the judicial procedure. In
Novermber 2008 the analysis showed that there are 10 500 cases stuck in the system
and some of these cases are decades old. A month ago, the Minister of Justice stated that all judges that have old cases will face penalties. However, no judge faced penalty and the Judicial Council concluded that the judges perform their
duties in good faith.

Interference of the Executive Brach into the Work of the Judiciary?

Independence and impartiality are seen as areas challenging to secure in the Macedonian courts. Several events indicated problematic actions of the executive branch that could be seen as direct influence on the judiciary. Transparency Macedonia, local NGO focused on corruption, noted in its monthly report that the government violated Article 64 of the Law on Judicial Council. According to
their report “the Government reviewed the 2008 Annual Report of the Judicial Council’s activities at a session held on 25 April 2009, while the issuing Opinion adopted at the meeting was dully sent to the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia.” According to the existing law, the Government should not review the Annual Report of the Judicial Council and adopt opinions based on the report. The decision of the Prime Minister of Macedonia to call the president of the Appeal Court, Mr. Jordan Mitrinovski, to discuss the reforms (as pointed in the statement of the president of the court) is a sign of a direct attempt of the executive branch to influence the judicial system. The Government response to these accusations was that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing judicial
reforms.

Conclusion

The overall conclusion contains better‐sweet remarks for the judicial reforms in Macedonia. The country successfully progressed in adoption of new legislation and invested a lot in institutional capacity. However, the judicial branch is still under tremendous political influence and faces severe corruption allegations.
Another problematic part remains the absence of an efficient human resources system
that will select, discharge and penalize judges, prosecutors and defenders etc on a merit base. As consequence, the reforms introduced fail to produce full independence and fail to hold accountable those who work in the system. Thus, as the Progress Report of the EU deadline is approaching it is more evident that the report will not contain more positive judgment of the judicial system than the one contained in the 2008 Progress Report. The reforms continued, but the judicial system is still inefficient and not fully independent.

Anderson and Cheryl W. Gray (Transforming Judicial Systems in Europe and Central Asia 2007) state that the principle issue is not ensuring greater judicial independence(although de jure might exist, but de facto may not), but to ensure judicial accountability, given the ne found independence.

Thomas Carothers, Promoting the Rule of Law Abroad: In Search of Knowledge, stated that the rule of law promises to move countries past the first, relatively easy phase of political and economic liberalization to a deeper level of reform.

Diversify, Supply and Secure: Towards energy stability in Macedonia?

2009-08-07T11:29:00.004+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter Analytica, Thinking Laboratory | July 2009

"What are the priorities of Macedonia for the
development of the energy sector in the next 10
years? Does the new energy strategy secure the
Macedonian energy stability in the regional
environment? Is there an energy policy that
encompasses the energy supply and the energy
security, as feature of a foreign policy? these
are few questions that should be priorities in the
new Energy Strategy."

"In the energy supply three types of states are
important: energy producers, energy consumers
and energy transit states. When it comes to the
security of energy supply, as a small, landlocked
country Macedonia needs a transit relationship with
its wider neighbourhood much more than countries that
have access to sea waters."

At present the interest of the institutions and stake‐holders in Macedonia is focused on the stabilization of the domestic market of energy, which is caught in the web of domestic turmoil, like the dispute between ELEM and EVN, the changes of the Law on Energy, etc. At the same time the Ministry of Economy, together with MANU, has drafted new Energy strategy for the development of the energy sector in Macedonia until 2020. However, neither the draft strategy, nor the energy community in Macedonia have brought up the issue of the MacedonianIn the region of Southeast Europe (SEE) the new energy paradigm is being built around two major transit routes for natural gas – the Nabucco pipeline and the South Stream. The Nabucco pipeline is the EU answer to the increased energy dependence on Russia’s gas sources, diversification of transit routes, and the new geopolitical chessboard in the Middle East, the Caspian Sea and Russia. It has received an important boost with the signing of an inter‐governmental transit agreement between Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria at the beginning of this July. On the other side South Stream, the Russian answer to the EU energy expansion, has already secured its support from the Balkan countries Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece, as transit countries. The outcome of these respective projects, therefore, will have far‐reaching implications both for Europe's long‐term energy security and for the strategic balance of power and influence in the Balkans. Having a central place at “the heart” of the Balkan Peninsula and the geopolitically important region of SEE, Macedonia has not managed to secure its place on the EU map of diversified energy sources, as a transit route for the natural gas flows from the East. In the past six months Macedonia has been shaping its energy future on the basis of the new Strategy for the development of the energy sector until 2020. When it comes to the market of natural gas, the Draft Energy
Strategy sees an increase of the consumption of natural gas up to 75% by 2020 in the industry and 61% in households. However, at the same time the Draft Energy Strategy understates the potential to develop the gas distribution and supply system. If all of its recommended gas projects become operational ‐ New CHP thermal power stations, Gas pipeline: Klecovce–Veles–Stip–Negotino and Negotino TPP, Gas pipeline and gas distribution in Tetovo, Gas ring around Skopje ‐ it is clear that the current capacity of the transmission pipeline of 800mcm will not be able to satisfy the increased demand for natural gas in the country. Therefore, it is the right time for the government to start considering other options to diversify country’s gas sources. Besides considering the Energy Community Gas Ring as the best option for gas supply from diverse gas sources, the Draft Energy Strategy should offer supplementary long term perspective for development of new connections to the planned gas pipelines of the SEE region. Incorporating EU energy policy objectives of competitiveness, sustainable development and security of supply, the creators of the energy strategy failed to frame Macedonian energy policy in the regional and international energy environment. Thus, the country once again is missing the opportunity to be a factor for the transit routes of the natural gas and to gain geopolitical importance in the new constellation of energy powers in the Eurasian region. However, the momentum is still not lost and the government can secure the gas supply by: prioritizing the natural gas as energy source in the country and encouraging the development of the gas market, and by more vigorous energy diplomacy for advantageous gas supply both with Russia and with the export countries of the Caspian region.

Civil Society in Macedonia - Why Values Matter…

2009-07-06T13:19:00.001+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
Analytica
June 2009

The international and national non‐governmental organizations present in Macedonia pride themselves on the positive impact they have on Macedonian society. In defense of the importance of the work these organizations are doing they refer to theories that attribute a very positive role to civil society organizations. Civil society is often seen as the ‘cure‐all’ for many of society’s problems and more specifically for the well functioning of it’s democratic institutions.
It was the French historian and political writer Alexis de Tocqueville that ‘discovered’ the positive works of civil society on his trip to the United States of America in 1831¹. What he encountered was a flourishing civil society in which every social, political, economical, religious and ideological faction was represented. He spoke of the organizations in this civil society as “schools of democracy” referring to the positive effects these organizations had on their members ability to self‐organize to solve the problems in their community and, by doing so, to be better able to judge the effectiveness of politicians in dealing with problems on the bigger scale.

With his ’Making democracy work, civic traditions in modern Italy’ the contemporary author Robert Putnam points to the stark difference between the performance of regional governments in the north of Italy and the south of Italy which he attributes to the presence of a flourishing civil society in the north and the lack of civil society organizations in the south². The roots for the positive effects of civil society on democracy lies in, what Putnam calls, ‘bonding‐‘ and ‘bridging social capital’; with bonding social capital referring to intra‐group social ties and values like trust and friendship and bridging social capital revering to the social ties, the presence of trust and the willingness to cooperate between individuals from different ethnic‐ and socio‐ economic backgrounds.

The main problem with applying these popular theories of civil society and democracy to the Macedonian case is that there is no flourishing civil society in Macedonia³. The civil society like organizations present in Yugoslavia were very much intermingled with the communist regime and after the fall of communism civil society in Macedonia did not come to resemble the civil societies characteristic of the countries in Western Europe and the United States⁴.

Furthermore, most of the non governmental organizations present in Macedonia are not actually ‘grass rooted’ in society⁵. An often heard critique on Macedonian non governmental organizations is that they stop doing what they claim to do out of passion and commitment to solving the problems the moment the international donors close the money‐taps.

The authors Chambers and Kopstein mention that Putnam’s one‐sided positive view of the democratic effects of civil society stems from the fact that he compares the positive effects of the participation of citizens in the civil society with the negative effects of their non‐participation. Putnam’s civil society has to counter a society in which citizens are apathetic and threaten to lapse into anonymity⁶. But as Chambers and Kopstein write “sometimes the cure is worse than the disease”⁷ and unlike Putnam they focus on the ideological character of organizations in the civil society and on the values that these organizations promote to determine whether they have a positive or negative impact on democracy.

While the civil society of Macedonia is underdeveloped and the international and Macedonian non‐governmental organizations are not rooted in society we see that almost all of the latter adhere to, and are indeed inspired by, values of democracy and human rights. There are those organizations that fight poverty or strive for the rights of underprivileged minorities and those that are involved in ‘making democracy work’ in an even more direct way by for example providing trainings to local politicians or analyzing government policy.
And what’s more, many organizations in Macedonia focus on improving citizens’ capacities to actively participate in the newly decentralized democratic system and in society as a whole (in which endeavor the promotion of positive values also plays a vital role). And thus there is room to be hopeful for a civil society in Macedonia as Tocqueville and Putnam would (have) like(d) to see...

The Name Dispute: an American Perspective

2009-07-06T13:13:00.003+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
Analytica, Thinking Laboratory
May 2009

By Nina Stroempl, Residential Intern

The name dispute between Macedonia and Greece has recently come up in US politics. The United States has urged both nations to work together to find a solution. But it is not so simple even in the US.
The name dispute is what caused Greece to block Macedonia’s NATO entry and threatens to block EU accession as well. Therefore many in the US feel this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
Earlier this month 15 members of the US Congress sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and urged a speedy resolution. These members of Congress fully support Macedonia, and even called Macedonia on of the United States’ “most staunch allies and trusted partners”.
There are also members of Congress who tend to sympathize with Greece, however. 19 Members of the US Congress recently proposed a resolution to the name dispute all the while criticizing Skopje for “Anti-Greek rhetoric” that is damaging relations with Greece.
The Greek American community has spoken about the issue as well. They recently wrote a letter to President Obama urging him to reconsider the US policy of recognizing Macedonia by its constitutional name. Around 200 lecturers from 11 countries took part in writing this letter.
This letter is quoted as saying "We call upon you, Mr. President, to help - in whatever ways you deem appropriate - the government in Skopje to understand that it cannot build a national identity at the expense of historic truth,” and later states "We believe that this silliness has gone too far, and that the U.S.A. has no business in supporting the subversion of history."
On May 22, 2009 Hillary Clinton received an award from the Greek American Community and was asked about the name dispute. She reiterated the US stance that a solution that is acceptable to both parties needs to be found. She also said that the administration is very committed to this issue which was picked up early on.
"Obviously, this has to be resolved by the parties themselves, but we are urging that resolution. We think it is in everyone’s best interest. As you said, it would open the way for movement toward another nation joining the European Union, which we think promotes stability in the region, so we are very committed to doing what the United States can to facilitate that," she said.
Concluding Thoughts:
It seems Greece holds all the trump cards in this issue, leaving Macedonia with very little bargaining power. It looks like Macedonia will have to make more concessions than Greece, and is left with the choice of preserving its name (and many feel this is core to its identity) or gaining members to NATO and the EU. Macedonia says it is ready to compromise. Yet, the huge statue of Alexander the Great that the government plans to erect in Skopje’s main square does not seem to send that message. That,
however, is another issue.
Sources: The Sofia Echo, Makfax, Mina, Focus
EnlargeEU Newsletter is also available at Analytica’s blog: www.analyticamk.blogspot.com

Religious Teaching in Schools – practices in Britain and France

2009-07-06T13:10:00.001+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter Analytica, Thinking Laboratory
April 2009

by Sonja Risteska, Residential Intern

In every country, no matter of the continent or the stage of development the implementation i.e. introduction of religious teaching in schools has caused heated debates. There have always been two opposing sides regarding this issue, the church or any other religious institution with its believers, strongly lobbying for it on one side; and the people who believe the church and the state should be separated, and that the church should not be involved in the education process. No matter which side someone will take, there are pros and cons on both sides and most probably the debate will remain a never ending one.

Practices in the EU

The practises around the world dealing with religious teaching are of course different. Even in the European Union the ways it is sanctioned differ quite a lot from country to country. For example, two of the oldest democracies, the UK and France, have totally different laws and practices regarding this issue.
France on one hand is highly famous for its recent ban on all religious symbols in the public primary and secondary schools, triggered by the headscarves worn by Muslim girls. This highly controversial law called, Law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools, was adopted in 2004 as an amendment to the French Code of Education that expands principles founded in existing French law, especially the constitutional requirement of laïcité: the separation of state and religious activities. France’s past is filled with clashes and wars between different religious groups (Protestants, Catholics, Jews, etc.) and for that reason in 1905 a law was adopted which separates the church from the state. What French children study in schools today is some sort of transversal studies about the religions in general through other subjects such as history, geography and literature. This can certainly not be called religious teaching. Religious teaching can only be taught in private religious schools and it is not mandatory.
In Britain on the other hand religious instruction and daily worship are statutory requirement in every school. This issue is dealt almost the same across the country with small varieties. For instance, in England schools have to teach religion but parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the lessons, even in church schools. The school is not obliged to provide alternative lessons for those children. In Wales, schools are encouraged to teach children about "Christianity and the other principal religions in Great Britain" but there is no mention of secular philosophies. Scotland's national guidelines on religious and moral education (RME) say that, "while recognising the role of Christianity as the major religious tradition in Scotland, pupils should also be encouraged to develop understanding of and respect for people of other faiths and people who adopt a non-religious stance for living". What children are taught is not how to be religious but how to be religiously and racially tolerant and to have a better understanding and respect for the different communities that constitute the British society.

Common ground

No matter what it is called, (histories of religions, religious education, ethics, etc.) what the education authorities should do is teach children from early age about tolerance, dialogue, understanding and appreciating differences. This is especially important in multicultural societies for building a solid basis for peaceful coexistence of all different religious groups. In order to avoid any negative impact special attention should be paid to the educators who should be carefully selected from professionals in the field that would not attempt to manipulate the children by promoting certain ideologies. However there are no guarantees and certain dangers will always exist since young children are easily influenced and can be used in someone’s propaganda. Most importantly the responsible authorities should always put the children’s rights and wellbeing first; children should always have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their religion as well as with other religions and the morals and ethics behind them.

Possible reform in NATO - "Consensus minus one"?

2009-07-06T13:06:00.002+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
Analytica, Thinking Laboratory
March 2009

Due to Greece’s veto Macedonia was not invited to join NATO at the Alliance’s Summit in Bucharest despite its success to meet all of the necessary membership criteria. Citing the principle of solidarity and consensus, the allies gave in to the Greek pressure and postponed the invitation to Macedonia. The invitation remains open, namely it will be handed over upon settling of the name dispute. These developments seem not to influence the vast support the country’s NATO membership enjoys among the citizens, which is still at 85,2 percent, according to the latest poll of the Institute for Democracy. However, not much progress has been made for settling the name dispute.
In light of these events the Canadian Defense Minister Peter McCay recently came up with a proposal to revisit the consensus process in NATO, namely to adopt a “consensus minus one” formula when admitting new members into the Alliance. This means that at least two countries would have to object the accession of a new member which would result in avoiding blockades motivated by (unreasonable) bilateral disputes, especially disputes that have no prospects in being resolved swiftly.
This is currently a prevailing issue because in addition to the Macedonia/Greece problem there are other countries which might face similar problems; such case is Slovenia that is threatening to veto Croatia. The result of “consensus minus one” would be effective isolation of certain member states of NATO. Accordingly Greece would no longer be able to impose its will to prevent Macedonia from joining NATO and all together undermine the enlargement process.
An Alliance such as NATO which in the post-Cold War period has sought to redefine itself and preserve its viability by moving into “out of area” operations should have an internal mechanism to deal with problems such as an obstructive veto. As an increasing number of countries join the Alliance, its security demands increase as well; in the Balkan region Macedonia is undoubtedly an important factor for stability. Macedonia could contribute greatly to NATO’s security objectives; this however can be done much more efficiently from within the organization.
PPRROOBBLLEEMM:: tthhee ccoonnsseennssuuss rruullee ccaann oonnllyy bbee aalltteerreedd bbyy ccoonnsseennssuuss
The former Macedonian ambassador to NATO Nano Ruzin claims that even if this proposal sounds very attractive, it would be very difficult to isolate Greece within NATO. It is obvious that Greece has its political allies; it can be argued that if there was enough political will from all other member states in NATO to admit Macedonia, this would have happened at the summit of Bucharest even without the “consensus minus one” formula. Therefore it remains questionable how efficient such formulas can be amid lack of political will within the Alliance.
However many prominent political figures have openly stated their support for Macedonia. For example the Former NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson has stated that it is a disgrace that Macedonia did not receive an invitation to join NATO due to Greece’s objections. Such statements together with the proposal of the Canadian Defense Minister should be greeted as extremely positive for the Macedonian case because they demonstrate that countries which have significant contribution to NATO such as the US and Canada are willing to support Macedonia. Therefore Macedonia should remain hopeful that before long all Alliance members will realize the mutually beneficial relationship between NATO and Macedonia, consequently overcome the name issue and thus contribute to the overall peace, stability and development in Southeast Europe.
EnlargeEU Newsletter is also available at Analytica’s blog: www.analyticamk.blogspot.com

The Abortion Debate - a heated and never-ending ethical debate

2009-07-06T12:59:00.002+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
Analytica, Thinking Laboratory
February 2009

The Abortion Debate - a heated and never-ending ethical debate
by Karmen Sumić, Residential Intern

Roughly speaking, there are two camps with two distinct conceptions on life. The pro-choice movement emphasizes the freedom of choice for women, while the prolife adherents wish primarily to protect the rights of the unborn child/foetus. There is strong correlation between the abortion issue and religion. Generally, abortion is preached as negative because it entails killing of a human being, yet many religious groupings concede for some exceptions. Abortion rights fall under the larger concept of reproductive rights, generally referred to as women’s rights, but these do not form part of the international human law. Abortion becomes a highly politicised term when the state starts interfering with abortion law reforms.
A New Abortion Law in Macedonia: A needed change?
Recently, there have been some street campaigns supporting the governmental strategy to award Macedonian women with at least
three children, which were in turn condemned by many pro-choice NGOs. Additional turmoil was caused by rumours that the
Macedonian Ministry of Health is drafting a more restrictive law on abortion in order to improve the population growth. Tighter
rules (e.g. asking approval of the male partner) would restrict women’s rights and might suggest a drawback for woman
emancipation in Macedonia.
So far, Macedonia has had a quite liberal abortion policy (Yugoslav legacy). The statistics by the Republic Institute for Health
Protection is not updated (circa 6,000 in 2006), but it still shows that abortions have been constantly diminishing in the last 20 years
(five times lower than at independence). The official data is also lacking estimates of the existent practice of illegally terminated
pregnancies and does not reflect the complexity of the problem.
For comparison, Slovenia, with an equal population rate of 2 million, is displaying similar abortion trends. Experts believe that
natality rate is not related to the abortion rate, as induced abortions are diminishing faster than natality is falling. Even the myth
that irresponsible young women abort the most is untrue. Rather, it is the socio-economic status of women which is to blame for
terminating a pregnancy.
Studies show that minority women have a higher rate of unintended pregnancies because of their marginalisation and
stigmatisation. Half of the Macedonian Roma women interviewed by the National Roma Centre have had one or more abortions.
The size of Roma families can be explained by poor use of contraceptives which in turn leads to high rates of abortions.
Who benefits from making abortion a highly-charged issue?
A negative aspect of banning abortions is the phenomenon of medical tourism - travelling to countries where abortion is easier to perform – which in the Macedonian case is difficult because of slim financial means and visa policy. The prohibition may lead women to seek illegal practices, where unsafe and risky quasi-medical interventions can even be life-threatening. As the praxis from other countries has shown, women can easier plan their pregnancies when the economic situation is favourable, i.e. with better employment chances, organised child care and an overall climate of well-being. These factors stimulate childbearing more than state-imposed rulings.
Anti-abortion groups have the right to express their views. Understandably, these views should not become hate speech towards the female population. The real question that should be posed is whether the new law can in reality favour the national interests or whether it will just discriminate women in an already highly patriarchal society. There is need to speak openly about these issues and to have a sound and balanced public debate.
Quick Facts: Macedonia 6,000 (Source: RZZZ); Slovenia 6,000 (Source: IVZ) World: 42 mio (in 2003); 19 mio performed illegally, 70,000 deaths (sos.se). Illegal in Malta, Ireland, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Chile…

Imagine, Create, Innovate European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009

2009-07-06T12:17:00.004+02:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter Analytica, Thinking Laboratory
January 2009

Imagine, Create, Innovate

European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009

Source: Official Logo of the EYCI 2009-01-16 © European Communities, 1995-2009

Every year the EU launches so-called thematic years to promote, educate, raise awareness and stimulate action on a chosen theme (area, topic). This year in Prague on the 7^th of January the European Union introduced 2009 as a year of creativity and innovation. Through this thematic year, the EU aims to stimulate education and research, promote policy debate and policy development, raise awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation for personal, social and economic development, as well as to disseminate good practices. What is the focus of the EYCI 2009, and how can Macedonia engage in the EYCI 2009?

Focus of the EYCI 2009

Through organizing debates, events, campaigns, the EYCI 2009 will address a vast area of issues leading towards boosting creativity and innovation through the educational process; promoting innovation as the route to sustainable development as well as development strategies based on creativity and innovation; encouraging creative forms of self-expression leading to a promotion of cultural diversity; usage of information and communication technologies as tools for the above mentioned purposes, and much more.

Within the frame of the EYCI 2009, activities are being undertaken in the following large scale projects: Europe INNOVA, PRO INNO Europe, Energy Europe and Open Days 2009 – EW of Regions and Cities. A series of debates will be organized, with the participation of the European Policy Centre (one of the partner organizations of the EYCI 2009), addressing creativity and innovation in the context of education, public sector, cultural diversity, sustainable development etc.

The 8 visual elements in the EYCI 2009 logo represent the 8 key competences this thematic year aims to improve:

1. Communication in the mother tongue;

2. Communication in foreign languages;

3. Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology;

4. Digital competence;

5. Learning to learn;

6. Social and civic competences;

7. Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship and

8. Cultural awareness and expression.

(Source: Style Guide. EYCI Website - Europa. . Accessed on 8 January 2009)

Acquiring key competences while attending compulsory education and further proper training to prepare young people for their adult and working life, as well as lifelong learning are one of the many goals the EU aims to achieve with the EYCI 2009. By increasing creativity and innovation the EU expects to add value in a diversity of areas - from culture and science progress to acting counter the financial crisis.

Considering the global financial crisis, the appointed Ambassadors of the EYCI 2009 (professors, scientists, artists, writers, high representatives of big corporations such as Nokia and Microsoft) recommend directing the policies which aim to deal with the current economic and financial crisis towards increasing investment in research, innovation, human capital and education, underlining that it would be a fundamental mistake to cut education, research and development spending. They see continuum in the funding as a foundation for the future.[1]

How can Macedonia engage in increasing creativity and innovation?

The thematic years are organized for and in the EU Member States. However, Macedonia can follow the trend and organize activities corresponding to the EYCI 2009. The government can organize events and offer funds to promote, educate and stimulate creativity and innovation. Macedonians can engage themselves by using funds already available to through the FP7 program.[2]

“Creativity is a driver for innovation and a key factor for the development of personal, occupation, entrepreneurial and social competencies and the well being of all individuals in society.”

(Source: European Year of Creativity and Innovation Website. Europa. <http://create2009.europa.eu/index_en.html>. Accessed on 8 January 2009. )

[1] Conclusions of the roundtable of the Ambassadors of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. EYCI 2009 EUROPA. . Accessed on 15 January 2009.

[2] For more info on the FP7 program and funds available through it, please see: EUROPA: CORDIS: FP7. EUROPA. . Accessed on 15 January 2009.

The Global Credit Crunch

2008-12-01T14:58:00.001+01:00

The worst crisis since the great depression
1929

During the last two years the world finance
markets where in constant trouble, which
ended up in a world wide collapse of the
finance sector. The crisis derived its origin
from the lowering of the US prime rate to 1.0
% in 2003. This lowering was intended to
stimulate the American economy, but it also
encouraged citizens with low incomes to take
out loans. Many of those credits where used
to buy houses. The economic cool down 2005
in the USA and the increase of the prime rate
to 5,25% in June 2006 caused a chain
reaction. Many households weren’t able to
pay their loans anymore and tried to sell their
houses. This ruined the prices in the housing
market. As a result many of those Subprimecredits
suffered from a serious depreciation.
In the end the housing market collapsed and
lead to a liquidity crisis among the finance
sector. In 2008 this crisis took effect all over
the world because the finance market was
extensively interlocked. The aftermath of this
crisis will expand successively to other
economic sectors. What does this mean for
national economies? Which challenges will
occur for governments to provide an
economic recession and do they have the
resources to do that? Analysing the effects
on a small country like Macedonia, we will
see in which ways the national economy
could suffer from the credit crunch and, if
possible, the alleviation of its impact.

Quick facts:
GDP growth (first half 2008):
about 6%
Inflation (first half 2008):
7,1%
(Source: Source: Ministry of
Economy of Republic of
Macedonia)

Macedonia’s Challenges

The main impact of this world wide crisis on Macedonia will not primarily occur in
the bank sector but in the export economy. More than half of Macedonia’s exports
are produced in metal plants and sold to Western Europe. With a decreasing demand
of metals, like in the western automobile industry, the metal manufacturing sector
will experience a serious decline in prices. Also the textile industry as the second
biggest in Macedonia will be afflicted with lower demand on the world market. This
contributes to the already very high trade deficit of more than 2 billion dollars this
year. Furthermore this development will entail a cutback in work force.
The global recession will also reduce the foreign
investments in Macedonia, which will have a
serious backlash on the stock exchange. Without
further foreign investment the structural
problems of the country’s economy will persist
and Macedonia will also slide in economic
recession.
Concerning the savings of Macedonian citizens in
bank accounts, there were no signs of a threat to
those savings like after the break up of
Yugoslavia.
A Possible Response
While facing a crisis of a world wide scale there are still some things that can be done
on a national level. On the part of the government many industrial leaders demand
official help, like tax cutbacks. In this way tax payers will keep their jobs, the
industry argues. During the SEE Summit in Ohrid at the 20th of November steps in
that direction were already be announced. With a high unemployment rate of about
30 % Macedonia can not afford to jeopardise employment among its export sector.
On part of the Macedonians there is little to do then try to keep the money in
circulation. Putting the money under a pillow to save it will be harmful on both
counts banking and
retailing.

Brief: Macedonia and the Western Balkans Awaiting the 2008 EU Progress Reports: Back to Basics

2008-11-03T16:52:00.002+01:00

Resume:
"...Facing the 5th of November, when the European Commission is to publish the 2008 progress reports, Macedonia and the other countries in the region are considering the options for speeding up the process of accession to the European Union. However, the chances for receiving “positive reports” are slim for most of the countries from the Western Balkans. When it comes to Macedonia, the irregularities at the 2008 early parliamentary elections as well as the difficulties regarding political reforms, such as lack of political dialogue between the government and opposition, decrease the likeliness that Macedonia will start accession talks in the years to come unless there is a consolidated reform process that would be tested in the upcoming elections of March 2009."

You can find the whole text of the brief "Macedonia and the Western Balkans Awaiting the 2008 EU Progress Reports: Back to Basics" at the following link:
http://ww.analyticamk.org/files/BriefNo1.pdf

Macedonian’s GHG reduction potential – Chances for less polluted air

2008-10-27T20:09:00.000+01:00

EUEnlarge Newsletter
October 2008 issue

Protecting the environment is fundamental for the quality of life of current and future generations. One of the greatest concerns of the European Union (EU) are combating climate change, protecting biodiversity, reducing the impact of pollution on health and better use of natural resources. Climate change has emerged as one of the most important issues facing not only the EU but the whole humanity in the 21st century. The main cause of climate change is increased concentrations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mostly due to human activities.
Macedonia’s economy is characterized by comparatively high level of energy consumption and GHG emissions per unit of GDP are one of the highest among Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. (Source: World Resources Institute 2006). According to the baseline scenario, in comparison to the GHG emissions in 1990 (15.511, 80 kt CO2-eq), the projected emissions will rise by 17 % in 2012 (18.136, 00 kt CO2-eq), and by 28 % in 2020 (19.851, 00 kt CO2-eq). (Source: Answers to the European Commission’s Questionnaire; Chapter 22 Environment). The question arises, how can Macedonia achieve GHG reductions?

Quick facts

GHG emissions by gas in the Republic of Macedonia in 2007 (Source: Yearly Report about the Quality the Environment, 2007; Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of Macedonia)
CO 180 kt
SO2 140, 8 kt
NOx 46, 03 kt
TSP 30,823 kt

Current situation

The values for 2012 emissions are based on the emission decrease study prepared as part of the First National Communication of the Republic of Macedonia under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. According to the study (which was made on the following sectors: electricity production, heat production, transport, industry, waste, agriculture and forest), the energy sector of Macedonia contributes with approximately 70% of the total country’s GHG emissions, thus being the sector with largest share in GHG emissions.

Challenging conditions

The recommendations by experts are as follows:
• Rehabilitation of large power plants;
• Fuel Switching to Natural Gas;
• Industrial Efficiency Improvements;
• Hydro Power
• Geothermal Energy.

Relatively higher abatement potential in Macedonia compared to other CEE countries also steams from the fact that Macedonia’s energy sector is heavily reliant on coal and lignite-based thermal power. Thus, any project measures replacing grid-based electricity in Macedonia are likely to lead to high emission reductions and therefore would be more attractive from Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM).
One of the primary goal of CDM is to assist Annex I countries in reaching their emissions reduction targets. This goal allows developed countries to achieve part of their GHG reduction obligations through projects in developing countries or countries in transition that reduce GHG emissions through promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency, improvement of waste management, reforestation/a forestation and other GHG mitigation/sequestration activities. (Source: National Strategy for Clean Development Mechanism for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol 2008-2012).
The Department of Energy and Mineral Resources from the Ministry of Economy, is in charge of national energy sector policies, including energy efficiency, power sector reform, renewable energy development and is therefore well-positioned to facilitate identification of CDM projects in Macedonia’s energy sector.
Non-governmental organizations influence government actions by providing information and advice, making policy recommendation and sometimes by direct lobbying. Only with a synchronized action of all governmental, civil and economical subjects in reducing the emissions of GHG will lead to reduced global warming and a cleaner environment.

The One Stop Shop System in Macedonia

2008-09-25T15:46:00.002+02:00

Enlarge EU Newsletter
September 2008 Edition

The process of introducing the One-Stop-Shop system in Macedonia was an initiative derived from the recommendations of the European Commission, regarding the obstacles in trade economy and fulfillment of the criteria and achievement of the standards set for the business environment.
The program has been supported by international donors such as: IMF, EAR, USAID, World Bank, FIAS, UNDP

Why One-Stop-Shop?

Macedonia is facing a low economic growth; it remains on the last place compared to the other countries in the region regarding the foreign direct investments. As a result of this fact, all governments that Macedonia had until now, have set the attraction of foreign investments as their priority goal, as an important stimulation for the economic progress of the country.
In order to attract foreign investments, Macedonia has introduced the One-Stop-Shop system. This system has also been introduced by many European public administrations. It has a service-offering character and serves as an interface between the citizens and the public administration.

Business reforms in Macedonia

Areas of Reform: Starting a Business, Registering Property, Getting Credit (Information), Paying Taxes, Trading Across Borders, Enforcing Contracts.

Doing Business 2009, rank: 71 (Source: Doing Business 2009, annual report comparing business regulations)

Facilities provided by the One-Stop-Shop system

Macedonia implemented the One-Stop-Shop system on January 1st, 2006. The One-Stop-Shop offers a certain number of facilities for the investors mainly resulting in reducing administrative barriers and start-up costs.
Its main objective is to reduce the number of days for setting a new business (used to be 48 days and after introducing the system, it was reduced to 5 days) and to improve the overall business climate in Macedonia. The system is designed to be simple, fast and most important - less expensive. It operates within the Central Register via 32 electronically integrated offices located throughout the country. The system offers business registration in four hours, in a single office and getting all information in one place.
Recently World Bank published the latest Doing Business report. The report mentions that Macedonia has updated the One-Stop-Shop system in order to carry out the full range of business start-up processes, to reduce both the number of procedures and the time required. The report also states that the time required to export has been reduced from 19 to 17 days and the time to import from 17 to 15 days, as a result of the rationalization of the customs fee schedule and permit structure, improved risk-based inspections, simplification of a customs procedure, and elimination of a document requirement.
Although, the One-Stop-Shop system in a certain level has influenced the business climate, having in mind the current index of the foreign direct investments its implementation advantages are yet to come!

Beyond Blogging: Macedonia: Exploring new media

2008-07-30T13:27:00.001+02:00

Enlarge EU Newsletter
July 2008 Edition

Beyond Blogging:
Macedonia: Exploring new media

For a while now, the world is faced with “blogging fever” a new media revolution reflecting the hunger for fresh and nontraditionally served information. Following the email and webpage, the blog has become original tool for communication aspiring to maintain stronger relationship and loyalty with the consumers. By starting up numerous individual blogs, blog platforms and blog-related activities Macedonia has shyly joined the global blogosphere. But is Macedonian blogging community strong enough to handle the mainstream media impact? Will it make “blogging” not just a modern and quite cheap but also a powerful medium? And finally, can we rely on the information on blogs?

Mapping Macedonian Blogosphere

QUICK FACTS:
First Macedonian Blog launched: 2001
The most popular blog platform: Blogeraj http://blog.com.mk/
The estimated number of active Macedonian Blogs: 20 000
The estimated number of daily visitors of the most popular blogs: 100-200
Some interesting Macedonian Blogs: bukarski.blog.com.mk, femgerila.blog.com.mk,
arheo.com.mk, kvadraturanakrug.blog.com.mk, qzevski.blog.com.mk, oksimoron.blog.com.mk, antipunkt.blogspot.com, vuna.info..

As probably elsewhere in the world, the number of blog users in Macedonian blogosphere is rapidly growing. The reason could be in the fact that blog-hosting services have made it easy to create a blog or perhaps the blog itself attracts new followers. Nevertheless, some data shows that the assumed number does not necessarily fit the actual status quo since very large portion of Macedonian blogs are not active and do not publish new posts regularly. Many have just opened accounts to test the service or to comment on others’ posts. Unofficially, today they are around 20,000 blogs (both individual and corporate) feeding Macedonian blogosphere. According to a survey conducted by New Media Center, 58.8% of Macedonian internet users have their own blogs. However, the picture looks like a mosaic of a few outstanding and a huge number of less-known blogs, each contributing in particular genre starting from an ordinary diaries, travel chronicles to technical advice columns and political commentary or as the same survey shows the most of them (35.8%) read 2-3 blogs daily. Still, in the last couple of years the Macedonian blogosphere has made significant development. Macedonian blogers joined the formal Association of Blogers of Macedonia and under their mentorship the first Youth Blog Training was conducted in June this year. Last year, New Media Center organized MK Blog conference where interesting topics related to progress of the network society were discussed while this year New York University Skopje hosted the Second International Conference Glocal 2.0: Blogging: Evolution treated as Revolution which gathered international group of researchers and practitioners (bloggers) for a discussion and analysis on the emerging networked society. These are only part of the activities initiated and organized by Macedonian bloggers. Maybe most interesting fact are Macedonian blogers themselves - writers, poets who published books whose content was already published on their blogs. (Bukarski, Kostadinova;“Izdanie –Blog zapisi” etc.)

Avoiding the trap: Is it really credible source of information!?
While skeptics question the credibility of information posted due to the absence of any quality control mechanisms, the usual answers given by Macedonian blogers is that the true quality debate starts exactly after posting the opinion which is not case in traditional media where the information is simply served and hardly unbiased. Blogs are exactly about “keeping the finger on the pulse” - feeling what are the readers reactions to certain ideas, stories. This gives them a freedom to choose what to believe in. That is how, despite the above mentioned constraints, the blog appears to play a very important role in public debate sphere. Besides, internet users prefer blogs also because they keep them updated with the latest trends, they are interesting and fun and mostly because of the obvious biases.
After all, easy to start, sometimes hard to maintain, blogs remains the most dynamic, inconsistent but still very promising source of fresh, objective and challenging information and equal opportunities space. Macedonia has accepted the challenge and became part of the global blogging community, of course, putting on it its own original mark.

Sources “Short History of Macedonian Blogosphere” byF.Stojanovski.
New media Center on line Survey presented at Glocal 2.0: Blogging: Evolution treated as Revolution

Ecotourism in Macedonia

2008-07-18T11:49:00.001+02:00

Enlarge EU Newsletter
JUNE 2008 Edition

Ecotourism in Macedonia

Ecotourism is a tourism which directly or indirectly promotes and supports sustainable economic development. Ecotourism can generate financial support for the formation, management and protection of natural areas. Having no coast, Macedonia can not pretend to become a mass-tourism destination like Croatia or Montenegro. The geographical and climatic conditions of Macedonia are to favour the development of tourism in an ecological environment.

Therefore, Macedonia should follow the example of small countries with very rich natural and ecological reserves such as Costa Rica or Nepal, for which ecotourism has become an important source of income. The drawback of ecotourism, like any kind of tourism, is that it can lead to a certain loss of values or customs, that is why Macedonia should implement very carefully ecotourism facilities with the outside assistance of NGO’s for a backup option due to uncertainties of the tourism market.

QUICK FACTS:
Number of tourists (2006): 499, 473 (total)
domestic: 297, 116;
foreign: 202, 357 ;
Number of tourists in Lake Ohrid: 250, 000 domestic and foreign in 2007;
Employees: around 11, 000;
Increase of employment (2007-08): 41.4%
Countries of origin of tourists (mostly): Serbia: 17%; Greece : 11%; Bulgaria : 9%; Albania : 7%.

Modest Beginnings
In December 2007, the Ministry of economy of Macedonia finally announced a development strategy for tourism until 2012. The strategy aims to create more than 2,000 new jobs and to improve by 28% the foreign and domestic investment in the tourism sector.
Ecotourism is still at a starting stage in Macedonia. Nevertheless, several local initiatives have already been undertaken: in the Skopje region, five ecotourism zones have been selected: Vodno-Matka, Jakupica, Taor, Katlanovo and Skopska Crna Gora. The political party DOM is setting up an eco-village in Babino and is promoting cultural tourism in Vitoliste in Mariovo district. A Macedonian emigrant is trying to renew in an environmental friendly way the village of Janse in Reka region in order to prevent the inhabitants to leave the village.
But until now, the most significant ongoing projects are implemented with international cooperation: the project “Sustainable development through ecotourism and environmental education in protected areas”, financed by the German agency GTZ, is implemented in Galicica National Park by the Alliance for Lake Cooperation in Ohrid and Prespa with the help of six NGOs from Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria.

Big Potential
EU funds, through the pre-accession assistance and neignbourhood policy, are good source for developing eco-tourism. Through the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU is financing the development of ecotourism in Bosilovo and Monospitovo and a project for nature protection in the cross boarder zone of Dupnica-Kriva Palanka. This also helps Macedonia to follow Bulgarian examples where ecotourism is at a more developed state. Bilateral initiatives aiming promotion of ecotourism need also to be taken in consideration, like the pilot ecotourism project implemented by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Brajcino area.
Macedonia has a considerable potential for ecotourism with not less than 33 natural conservation areas. International cooperation can really help Macedonia for the capacity building and organizational development of ecotourism but it is to the government to have a clear strategy: it is its role to take the optimal decisions and to create proper conditions for ecotourism so that the actors concerned could effectively benefit from it. The state has really to engage Macedonia into the niche of ecotourism through marketing campaign and to become conscious of the advantages from the respect of Macedonian nature. Indeed, ecotourism is unsustainable without ecology, so real efforts have to be done to clean the country and to improve individual awareness on environmental issues, so that 2009 could really become the year for green initiatives in Macedonia.

New plastics recycling industry in Macedonia - Truth or Dare?

2008-06-10T14:31:00.000+02:00

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MAY 2008 Edition

New plastics recycling industry in Macedonia - Truth or Dare?

The production and use of plastics today is 20 times greater than that of 50 years ago and is expected to increase, driven by its potential for innovation and energy saving, positive contribution to climate protection. However, plastics usage has many disadvantages, like the non-degradable nature, whose disposal creates a solid waste problem. EU policy on Waste Management as implemented in the Framework Directive on waste as amended by Directive 91/156/EEC obliges member states to encourage the reduction of waste and its harmfulness. They also must encourage the recovery of waste and prohibit uncontrolled dumping. The revised Packaging Waste Directive EU directive sets targets for recycling and recovery min. 55% and min. 60 % respectively, with end year of achievement December, 2008.
Macedonia lags well behind with the lack of modern technology and managerial expertise on waste management practices, and is currently undergoing an intensive period of legislative development concerning this issue. What are the present conditions of the plastics recycling industry in Macedonia? Can the private sector involvement in the waste management reach greater efficiency than the public enterprises regarding waste recovery and recycling?

Waste created per inhabitant: 313 kg/inhabitant
Commercial waste: 154.543 t/year (27%of the community solid waste)
Household waste: 417.838 t/year (73% of the community solid waste)
Waste from packaging: 13% from household waste and 30% from commercial waste in total 97.305t/year (17% of the community solid waste)
Total plastic (PET) wastes from packaging (including landfill disposed): 10.748t
Recycled PET waste from packaging: 0.2t
Source: MoEPP, R. Macedonia (2004/05)

Challenging conditions
The capacity for recycling, reuse and recovery of plastic packaging is very limited, with rate of recycling only 0.01%. According to the newly adopted Waste Management Strategy of the Republic of Macedonia (2008-2020) the recovery of many types of potentially recyclable materials (metals, paper, plastics, car batteries and accumulators, waste oils etc.) is not financially viable under the prevailing conditions: lower waste volumes, lower waste fees, higher costs of operating on relatively smaller scale and limited local markets for recyclables that contribute for an increased costs of export for recyclables. These unfavorable conditions are an obstacle for preparation and implementation of the integrated and cost-effective waste management system, regarding waste management recovery and recycling.

In need of encouragement
Data show that mostly the informal sector and private companies deal with collection and recycling of plastics. The cost-effective studies give green light on the private sector for its involvement in the part of managing waste treatment, recovery and recycling. This sector has taken over the resources belonging to the recycling network of former Yugoslavia, and still is not used efficiently due to the costly collection system. However, the implementation of $1.2 million USAID sponsored Plastic Recycling Project in partnership with the municipalities of Karpos, Gostivar, Kocani and Strumica, as well as public and private waste management companies and NGOs has brought progress in the raw waste management area. The recycling facts for the period 2005-2007 speak for themselves: collection of plastic bottles from start up point of 341 tones in 2005 have increased to 1500 tones in 2006 and in 2007 is estimated to be 3000 tones, and generated exports from bailed and/or processed plastic bottles reached approximately $1.6 million in 2007. (Source: USAID Plastic Recycling Project)The potential of the new recycling activities exists, but is facing problems such as: insufficient financial support for vehicles, equipment operation and maintenance costs, difficulties in obtaining appropriate licenses and permits, resolving the issue on unfair competition resulting from illegal collectors, weak public awareness and marketing campaigns, as well as missing support from local authorities for organizing plastic waste collection schemes.

Renewable Energy – a new energy scenario for Macedonia?

2008-06-10T14:29:00.000+02:00

Enlarge EU Newsletter
April 2008 issue

Renewable Energy – a new energy scenario for Macedonia?

Renewable energy sources include non-fossil sources of energy that are sustainable over time and have no harmful environmental side effects. The new global energy and environmental trend is directed towards increase of the share of the RES in the energy production. Global, Europe-wide, and country-specific scenarios show 10% to 50% shares of primary energy from RES by 2050. Following this agenda the European Union has enthusiastically set the target of RES in the total energy production at 20% until the year 2020. While EU countries are leading forces in the use of RES in the world Macedonia is lagging behind. The share of RES in Macedonia is minimal; major energy sources still remaining the fossil fuels with environmentally damaging effects.
Is there an opportunity for more serious use of the RES in the energy sector in Macedonia? Can Macedonia become environmental friendly country, in the same time providing efficient and sustainable energy market?

Energy Profile of R.M. for 2007:
(in 10³TJ)
Total energy consumption: 121, 07
Energy production: 63, 59 (52, 52%)
Energy import: 57, 48 (47, 48 %)
Electricity from thermo-plants: 18, 37
Electricity from hydro-plants: 3, 46 RES share in total energy consumption (wood and geothermal energy): 7, 58 (6, 26%)
CO2 emission: 8.05 million metric tons
Source: Ministry for EconomyNeed for renewable energy sources in Macedonia
Today the share of renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind) in the total energy consumption in Macedonia is at a very low level. The energy sector remains very much dependent on the thermo-energy based on coal and lignite, as well as on the imports of oil and electricity. Nuclear power as a source of energy is not considered as an option on medium-term. With the astronomic rise of the oil prices, the global scarcity of the fossil fuels, the country’s insufficient distribution of natural gas and the underdeveloped electricity grid, Macedonia is facing serious problems with the energy production in the years to come. These serious indicators show the urgent need for bigger use of the sources of renewable energy in Macedonia. It will serve as exit from the energy crisis, reducing country’s dependence on imported energy sources, economic competitiveness on medium and long turn, and approach to the EU target level of 12% of share in RES until 2010, set in the EC White paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan. The energy from RES will also allow for reduction of GHG in the atmosphere, which is also on the top of EU’s environmental agenda.

RES - Positive practices and blurred future pace
Following the EU directives on energy efficiency and RES as well as the provision in the Law on Energy from 2006, recent years show increase in the tendencies for energy from renewable sources. Thus, last year saw the launching of the tender for construction of small hydro-plants for electricity production. However other planned projects like the establishment of small geothermal district heating systems based on biomass and the building on windmills remain unrealized, on the level of policy recommendations. This is a result of the lack of concrete operational framework in the field of renewable energy on a state level, which hauls down the exploitation of the RES in Macedonia, leaving the initiatives mainly in the private sector.

Even though the EU 2007 Progress Report for Macedonia has positively evaluated the country in the field of renewable energies, the lack of administrative capacity for implementation and monitoring of the renewable energy projects remains as major obstacle for the energy sector. The absence of priority treatment in the state development policy has left the organized large-scale electricity production from RES out of the country’s energy agenda. Macedonia hasn’t developed efficient energy scenario for the upcoming years of energy crisis and economic instability. The question on how the renewable energy can fill in the gaps of the energy production in Macedonia remains an open issue that sets the Macedonian energy map until 2020. The solution to this issue will be better law enforcement, increase of technological innovations and political will for implementation of the state policies in the field of renewable energy.

Energy Profile of R.M. for 2007:
(in 10³TJ)
Total energy consumption: 121, 07
Energy production: 63, 59 (52, 52%)
Energy import: 57, 48 (47, 48 %)
Electricity from thermo-plants: 18, 37
Electricity from hydro-plants: 3, 46 RES share in total energy consumption (wood and geothermal energy): 7, 58 (6, 26%)
CO2 emission: 8.05 million metric tons

Challenges of Urban Life: Macedonia and Europe

2008-03-26T11:40:00.002+01:00

EnlargeEU Newsletter
March 2008 issue
THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN LIVING

Urban living: The challenges of city life
Currently, half of the world’s population lives in urban centres and cities can be viewed as potential threats to environment around the world. Even countries as India, traditionally considered as rural, where 70 % of the total number of one billion population is still living in rural areas, is facing massive migration from rural communities. Macedonia is not an exception to this trend. In response to the mounting challenges to urban environment, the EU is striving for new urban policy and reformulating the idea of a European city. Following the directives from Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment as well as the Draft Community Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion 2007–2013, the EU has undertaken remarkable steps aimed at contributing to better implementation of EU environmental policies and legislation at local level. What is the significance of this fast growing interest for living in European cities and are we catching up with the European dimension of urban policy? Analyzing urban policy in Macedonia we can easily detect a gap in essentially important links among three main aspects of urban policy: physical, economic and social infrastructure.

Main problems of urban living in Macedonia:
Macedonian population is predominantly concentrated in urban areas, in first place in the city of Skopje, the capital. Major problems with regards to urban living that have emerged lately include high concentration of population, urban poverty, expansion of illegal settlements, traffic congestion, obsolete communal infrastructure, lack of regulations and low public awareness. This all has led to insufficient quality of urban life. One of the challenges of both local and national governments is defining plans aimed at improving the housing conditions in the settlements, especially the quality of living in small urban areas. Traffic also remains one of the most serious concern for urban planners and it is a definitely a lesson that can be learnt from other European cities facing traffic difficulties such as London where as the result of a new policy to shift from a dependence on cars to public transportation, car traffic has dropped by 5%. But regardless of the urban problems the cities are still promising destinations for living but mostly for practical economic reasons and finding jobs. In this context, the Government recently announced a project – building a new city in the Eastern part of the country envisioned to become a driver of the new Economical district.

Improving Urban Living:
One thing is certain: the quality of urban life is becoming an issue among local authorities putting urban management challenges high on their agenda. It is also crucial for the country to follow global trends and directives. In 2004 Macedonia joined the countries that ratified Kyoto protocol and prepared national strategy on CDM. Urban living policy it is not just an attempt to organize city life; it is a redefined requirement that must ensure perspective for each city relevant to its unique characteristics and needs. There must be systematic plan that will improve the main urban living indicators and finally to maximize their overall potential, at first place in the country’s economic growth and social development.
Source: World Economic Forum

Quick Facts:
Major cities: Skopje, Bitola, Tetovo, Prilep, Kumanovo.
Urban population: 60%
Population density: 81 inhab./km2
Population Skopje: 506.926
Population density Skopje: 887,07 inhab./km2
Source: Ministry of Local Government

2008-02-25T15:56:00.001+01:00

MACEDONIAN HUMAN POTENTIAL: Trends and Challenges

Global PerspectiveThe world is facing a challenge of finding suitable talent for the current and future needs of the economy, with dramatic decreases in the workforce of some of the most developed economies in the world projected for the following decades. By 2025, EU, Japan and the US workforce will decrease from 7-14%. The scarcity of workforce, especially highly-qualified workforce, is hot topic for world leaders and governments of affected states, which devise strategies and revise their migration policies to prevent the looming economic crisis. Are Macedonia and other Western Balkans countries affected by these challenges and, if so, how can negative impact be prevented?

Macedonia: triple challenge
Although the decrease in the working-age population in Macedonia is not as sharp as in the Western European states or other states in the region, there is another factor making the situation alarming – lack of economic growth, and thus, limited employment opportunities. Despite the fact that annually, more than six thousand students are graduating from state universities in Macedonia, many Macedonian graduates and students have become consumers rather than contributors to the economy and the social system.

Rocketing unemployment rates, especially among youth and women make job prospects bleak and discourage the young educated and skilled Macedonians in pursuing careers, whether at home or abroad. Moreover, the quickly developing information-driven economy of today requires competitive skills and continuous upgrade of those. Those skills are scarce in developed economies, and even more so in developing countries. Macedonia lags behind with educational reforms and building a knowledge-based economy. The situation has been exacerbated by the limited travel opportunities, including working abroad where younger generations would be able to acquire new skills and capabilities, not available in the country. There is a value in migration as it is one of the pillars for today’s economic and social development of globalized societies. Thus, Macedonian economy needs to gain momentum, while its human potential needs boosting of both human capacities and skills – a triple challenge for policy-makers.

Which Way to Development?Education reforms and student mobility would strategically assist Macedonian economy in producing work force competent to join the global markets. Applying Bologna principles for student mobility and catching up with European educational trends is one way about these challenges. Still more needs to be done in encouraging youth and women employment, who are most affected by unemployment, but who can offer additional boost to the workforce. The prospects for joining the competitive EU labour market demand concerted efforts at preparing Macedonian economy and labour force for that.

QUICK FACTS
Total Labour Force: 890, 000.
Unemployment: 35% (app. 300,000)
Youth unemployment (15 to 24): 1/3 of total unemployment.
Women employment: 32%
Number of Universities: 4 (state); 6 (private)
Annual Graduates from state universities: app. 6,500.
Source: State Statistical Office

Analytica Has A Blog! Finally!

2008-02-01T12:42:00.000+01:00

I know this is not the most strategic move of all and perhaps there are more important things to do and write about right now (upcoming NATO summits, road-map documents prepared by the EU, etc.). But, I like the idea of setting up a blog...perhaps, in between, interviews, conference-hopping, and report-writing, we can share some thought and ideas, suggestions and critiques.

So, there, go ahead....fill in the blogging space! :)