The document provides an overview of the structure and content of a lecture series on regional geography in Southern Europe. The 11 lectures will cover topics like the economic geography and planning systems of Southern Europe, EU integration and funding, sustainability efforts, and regional futures. Key examination dates are also outlined.
Northern Sparsely Populated Areas - OECD Report OECD Governance
The northern sparsely populated areas (NSPA) of Finland, Norway and Sweden are becoming increasingly important to the geopolitical and
economic interests of these countries and the European Union (EU). The NSPA regions are located on the periphery of Europe and are part of Europe’s gateway to the Arctic and eastern Russia.
A changing climate, access to hydrocarbon and mineral resources, and shifts in relations with Russia are changing the political and economic
landscape. The sustainable development of these regions is crucial to managing such strategic risks and opportunities.
The report sets out 179 policy recommendations at a cross-border, national and regional scale to enhance prosperity and wellbeing across the NSPA. For more inforamtion see www.oecd.org/gov/regional-policy/oecd-territorial-reviews-the-northern-sparsely-populated-areas-9789264268234-en.htm
Northern Sparsely Populated Areas - OECD Report OECD Governance
The northern sparsely populated areas (NSPA) of Finland, Norway and Sweden are becoming increasingly important to the geopolitical and
economic interests of these countries and the European Union (EU). The NSPA regions are located on the periphery of Europe and are part of Europe’s gateway to the Arctic and eastern Russia.
A changing climate, access to hydrocarbon and mineral resources, and shifts in relations with Russia are changing the political and economic
landscape. The sustainable development of these regions is crucial to managing such strategic risks and opportunities.
The report sets out 179 policy recommendations at a cross-border, national and regional scale to enhance prosperity and wellbeing across the NSPA. For more inforamtion see www.oecd.org/gov/regional-policy/oecd-territorial-reviews-the-northern-sparsely-populated-areas-9789264268234-en.htm
Agenda for Europe: which of Estonia’s success factors can be useful for other...Eesti Pank
Ardo Hansson, Eesti Pank 5 April 2014
A financial forum organised by The European House – Ambrosetti in Italy http://www.ambrosetti.eu/en/news/2014/financial-markets-workshop
Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook (2016)OECDglobal
Future economic development and the well being of citizens in South East Europe (SEE) depend more than ever on greater economic competitiveness. To underpin the drive to improve competitiveness and foster private investment, an integrated policy approach is needed. This first edition of Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook seeks to help policy makers in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia assess their progress towards their growth goals and benchmark them against the good practices adopted by OECD countries and the performance of their regional peers.
This report addresses 15 policy dimensions critical to competitive economies that draw on the South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020), a regional growth strategy drawn up by the Regional Cooperation Council and adopted by SEE governments in 2013. The qualitative assessments presented herein use scoring frameworks to enable regional comparisons. A participatory assessment process – that brings together regional policy networks and organisations, policy makers, independent experts and the private sector – ensures a balanced view of performance.
Agenda for Europe: which of Estonia’s success factors can be useful for other...Eesti Pank
Ardo Hansson, Eesti Pank 5 April 2014
A financial forum organised by The European House – Ambrosetti in Italy http://www.ambrosetti.eu/en/news/2014/financial-markets-workshop
Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook (2016)OECDglobal
Future economic development and the well being of citizens in South East Europe (SEE) depend more than ever on greater economic competitiveness. To underpin the drive to improve competitiveness and foster private investment, an integrated policy approach is needed. This first edition of Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook seeks to help policy makers in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia assess their progress towards their growth goals and benchmark them against the good practices adopted by OECD countries and the performance of their regional peers.
This report addresses 15 policy dimensions critical to competitive economies that draw on the South East Europe 2020 Strategy (SEE 2020), a regional growth strategy drawn up by the Regional Cooperation Council and adopted by SEE governments in 2013. The qualitative assessments presented herein use scoring frameworks to enable regional comparisons. A participatory assessment process – that brings together regional policy networks and organisations, policy makers, independent experts and the private sector – ensures a balanced view of performance.
Pocketbook: Competitiveness in South East Europe 2018OECDglobal
The OECD has been working with the South East Europe (SEE) region since 2000 to develop and successfully implement policies for private sector development and investment. This pocketbook brochure summarises the most recent work in the region in the second edition of the Competitiveness in South East Europe: A Policy Outlook 2018. The study assessed six SEE economies in 17 policy dimensions through a highly participatory evaluation process that included in-depth, evidence-based analyses to provide guidance to governments and the private sector, and a toolkit for donors and international development agencies. For more information on the full publication, please click on this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264298576-en
This paper analyses the effect of the EU enlargement process on income convergence among regions in the EU and in the Eastern neighbourhood of the EU. The data used is NUTS II regions in the EU and Oblasts' of Russia over the period 1996-2004. The estimation techniques used take into account both regional and spatial heterogeneity. The main findings are that the regional income differences are reduced within EU15. The income convergence within the EU is mainly driven by reductions in the differences across countries rather than by a reduction in regional differences within countries. When differences in initial conditions in the regions are controlled for by fixed regional effects there are strong evidences of convergence among regions in all studied country groups.
Authored by: Fredrik Wilhelmsson
Published in 2009
The article is structured as follows. We start with the policy framework in all three countries and then proceed to the discussion of major macroeconomic parameters, including data for the economy as a whole, the fiscal policy and external sectors, and labour market. In the end, we provide conclusions.
The challenges for developing Mediterranean and Middle East Air Cargo (GPA pr...ASCAME
On June 18th 2013 the 11th edition of the Mediterranean Logistics and Transport Forum and the 6th Mediterranean Ports and Shipping Summit took place in Barcelona in the framework of the 15th Anniversary of the International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition (SIL 2013).
Organized by the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME), the Consorci of Zona Franca de Barcelona, organizers of the SIL, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Barcelona, the UfM (Union for the Mediterranean), the EIB (European Investment Bank) and others, this forum represents an exclusive opportunity to meet more than 300 actors of the transport and logistics sector in the Mediterranean and explore business opportunities.
The Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme
is a new pan-European programme which will start on
1 January 2014, as part of the EU 2014-2020 Multiannual
Financial Framework.EaSi integrates three existing programmes: PROGRESS, EURES, PROGRESS Microfinance Facility.
European Integrative Processes of Albania and Mo.docxhumphrieskalyn
European Integrative Processes of Albania and Montenegro
FEEDBACK and things TO AMEND:
1) The Title has to be re-phrased
2) The Figure of the map is wrong
3) The English used needs to make sense
4) Some facts and statistics are wrong
5) Book to include: “The Europeanisation of the Western Balkans; a Failure of EU conditionality?” ISBN: 978-3-319-91412-1
6) Freedom House has a report on Albania and Montenegro and Check EU parliment resolutions.
7) Create your own opinion, argument and support it by facts.
ABSTRACT
This study is presenting the analysis and evaluation by the use of secondary data from the past researches. The data from the year 2013 to 2017 is utilized in this study to present discussions that are explaining the trends and narrative of the countries to join EU. The conducted study is supporting the discussion by exploring and explaining each aspect of the impact of joining of EU in Albania and Montenegro. This study is presenting the advantages that can be avail by Albania and Montenegro by availing the opportunities through the membership of NATO. The critical literature is presenting the changing trends along with the democratic rights avail by the member countries in Europe under the influence of EU regulations.
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT 2
Chapter 1: Introduction 8
1.1 Research Background 8
1.2 Problem Statement 10
1.3 Research Questions 10
1.4 Research Objectives 11
1.5 Significance of the Study 11
1.6 Project Outline 11
Chapter 2: Literature Review 13
2.1 Chapter Introduction 13
2.2 European Union, its Impacts and Process of Joining 13
2.3 Conceptual Framework 21
2.4 Research Gap 22
2.5 Chapter Summary 22
Chapter 3: Research Methodology 24
3.1 Chapter Introduction 24
3.2 Research Philosophy 24
3.3 Research Type 25
3.4 Research Design 27
3.5 Data Collection Technique 27
3.6 Sampling Technique and Sample Size 28
3.7 Data Analysis 28
3.8 Ethical Consideration 29
3.9 Chapter Summary 31
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Discussions 32
4.1 Discussions 32
4.2 Chapter Summary 37
Chapter 5: Recommendations and Conclusion 39
5.1 Limitation of the Study 39
5.2 Future Scope 39
5.3 Recommendation 40
5.4 Conclusion 40
6.0 References 42
List of Acronyms
CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility
DPS: Democratic Party of Socialists
ECU: Eurasian Customs Union
EU: European Union
FDI: Foreign Direct Investment
IFDI: Inward Foreign Direct Investment
MNC: Multinational Corporations
NATO: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
SME: Small Medium Enterprise
WTO: World Trade Organization
List of Figures
Figure 1: Countries waiting to join EU13
Figure 2: NATO and EU Relations15
Figure 3: The Economic Impact of Brexit20
Chapter 1: Introduction1.1 Research Background
This thesis is going to prove a comparative analysis of the impact of the process of joining the European Union. As per the analysis of Featherstone and Kazamias (2014), it has been found that the European Union made a step by step improvements and changes in the relations o.
Analysis of the euregio and croatia montenegro cross-border cooperation and d...Shahriyar Humbatov
Borders are barriers for integration of cultures and communities of different
countries within the European region. In order to improve regional development
border countries try to achieve cross-border cooperation. Minister for European
Affairs and Foreign Trade of Finland Alexander Stubb stresses out: ‘cross-border
cooperation has the potential to transform a border into a possibility for
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regional cooperation programmes lead European member states to lessen
regulations in border areas and to develop long-lasting cooperation
Marcas territoriais como um instrumento do planeamento territorial estratégicoPrivate
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linha de raciocínio e de investigação que pretende ir muito mais além do que a escala regional.
Procura também distanciar-se da abordagem baseada em princípios e conceitos do branding e
marketing corporativos que continuam a dominar o discurso contemporâneo em place branding.
Importa ainda sublinhar que a linha de raciocínio exacerbada nesta tese não pretende menosprezar
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socialmente mais responsável.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
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Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
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students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
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for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
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Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
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Francesca Gottschalk from the OECD’s Centre for Educational Research and Innovation presents at the Ask an Expert Webinar: How can education support child empowerment?
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Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
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Personal development courses are widely available today, with each one promising life-changing outcomes. Tim Han’s Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) Course has drawn a lot of interest. In addition to offering my frank assessment of Success Insider’s LMA Course, this piece examines the course’s effects via a variety of Tim Han LMA course reviews and Success Insider comments.
TESDA TM1 REVIEWER FOR NATIONAL ASSESSMENT WRITTEN AND ORAL QUESTIONS WITH A...
6_Lecture_The economic geography of Southern Europe, continuation
1. Lecture 1 - Introduction: economic geography and its recent paradigms
Regional
Geography
of Southern
Europe
WS 2021-2022
Lecture 6
08-12-2021
2. Structure of
the course
1) Introduction to regional geography and the focal study region
2) Regional geography of Southern Europe: differences and uniqueness
3) The territorial governance of Southern Europe
4) Spatial planning (including SSP) and planning systems of Southern Europe
5) The economic geography of Southern Europe
6) The economic geography of Southern Europe, continuation (08/12/2021, live)
7) EU integration, EU funding and EU Cohesion Policy (15/12/2021, recorded)
8) Research and development in Southern Europe: where and what for (12/01/2022)
9) The social dimension of cross-border relations across SE (19/01/2022)
10) Southern Europe and sustainability transition efforts (26/01/2022)
11) Conclusion: Regional futures across Southern Europe (02/02/2022)
Lectures Regional Geography of Southern Europe
3. Examination
Exam I
Exam II
• 09 February 2022, 12:00 - 14:00 (+15m*)
• Join Zoom Meeting
• 23 March 2022, 12:00 - 14:00 (+15m*)
• Join Zoom Meeting
*for the technical component and email me
5. Economic geography: Italy
Key insights:
Italy’s economy comprises a developed industrial
north, dominated by private companies, and a less-
developed, highly subsidized, agricultural south, with
a legacy of unemployment and underdevelopment.
The Italian economy is driven in large part by the
manufacture of high-quality consumer goods
produced by small and medium-sized enterprises,
many of them family-owned.
Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by
some estimates accounts for as much as 17% of GDP.
These activities are most common within the
agriculture, construction, and service sectors.
Source
7. Clusters are geographic concentrations of industries
related by knowledge, skills, inputs, demand and/or other
linkages. (Delgado et al., 2016)
Defining industry clusters
What set of related economic activities constitutes a cluster?
Clusters based on inter-industry
linkages conditional from multi-
region analysis (across regions).
Cluster definitions based on
observed linkages among industries
or firms in a single region.
Region-specific cluster definitions could thus be too narrow (or myopic) in
terms of the linkages captured because they abstract from the linkages that
may be present in other locations. Thus, region-specific cluster definitions
could be complemented by comparable cluster definitions derived from
patterns across multiple regions. (Delgado et al., 2016)
12. Italy is the third-largest economy in the euro zone
Before brexit
13. Exports
$558.3 billion (2020 est.) packaged medicines,
cars/vehicle parts, refined petroleum,
trunks/cases, wine (2019) partners: Germany
12%, France 11%, US 10%, UK 5%, Spain 5%,
Switzerland 5% (2019)
Imports
$486.4 billion (2020 est.) crude petroleum, cars,
packaged medicines, natural gas, refined
petroleum (2019)
partners: Germany 16%, France 9%, China 7%,
Spain 5%, Netherlands 5%, Belgium 5% (2019)
Economic geography: Italy
Source
Italy’s economy returned to modest growth in
late 2014 for the first time since 2011.
In 2015-16, Italy’s economy grew at about 1%
each year, and in 2017 growth accelerated to
1.5% of GDP.
In 2017, overall unemployment was 11.4%, but
youth unemployment remained high at 37.1%.
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 2.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 23.9% (2017 est.)
services: 73.9% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate
9.88% (2019 est.)
10.63% (2018 est.)
15. Economic geography: Greece
Key insights:
Greece has a capitalist economy with a public sector
accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per
capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading
euro-zone economies.
Tourism provides 18% of GDP. Immigrants make up
nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in
agricultural and unskilled jobs.
Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to
about 3.3% of annual GDP.
The Greek economy averaged growth of about 4%
per year between 2003 and 2007, but the economy
went into recession in 2009 as a result of the world
financial crisis, tightening credit conditions, and
Athens' failure to address a growing budget deficit.
16. Economic geography: Greece
By 2013, the economy had
contracted 26%, compared
with the pre-crisis level of
2007.
Greece met the EU's
Growth and Stability Pact
budget deficit criterion of
no more than 3% of GDP in
2007-08, but disrupted it in
2009, when the deficit
reached 15% of GDP.
Source
In 2014, the Greek economy began to turn the corner
on the recession. Greece achieved three significant
milestones: balancing the budget; issuing government
debt in financial markets for the first time since 2010;
and generating 0.7% GDP growth — the first economic
expansion since 2007.
17. Economic geography: Greece
• Tourism- and shipping-
based EU economy;
• Increasing Chinese port
control;
• Oil and gas disputes with
Turkey
• Predominantly rural
territory
Industries - tourism, food
and tobacco processing,
textiles, chemicals, metal
products, mining, petroleum
Agricultural products -
maize, olives, wheat, milk,
peaches/nectarines,
oranges, tomatoes, grapes,
milk, potatoes
26. Lecture 1 - Introduction: economic geography and its recent paradigms
27. Lecture 1 - Introduction: economic geography and its recent paradigms
Economic geography: The Western Balkans (or Southeast Europe)
Source Jovan Bliznakovski (adapted)
Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kosovo
Montenegro
Serbia
The Republic of North Macedonia
Source
North
and Herzegovina
28. The EU aims to promote peace, stability and economic
development in the Western Balkans and open up the
prospect of EU integration.
The Western Balkans & EU Integration
Governance Instruments
A. The Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP)
Launched in 1999, the SAP is the strategic framework
supporting the gradual rapprochement of the Western
Balkan countries with the EU. It is based on bilateral
contractual relations, financial assistance, political
dialogue, trade relations and regional cooperation.
C. Regional cooperation
Source
European integration and regional cooperation are closely intertwined. One of the key aims of the
Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) is to encourage countries of the region to cooperate among
themselves across a wide range of areas, including the prosecution of war crimes, border issues, refugees
and the fight against organised crime. The Sarajevo-based Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) aims to
support the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of its non-EU members, and to develop cooperation in
such fields as economic and social development, energy and infrastructure, justice and home affairs,
security, building human capital, and parliamentary relations.
29. The Western Balkans & EU Integration: current status
Albania
Albania applied for EU membership on 28 April 2009. In 2012, the
Commission recommended that the country be granted
candidate status, subject to the adoption of pending reforms. In
October 2013, the Commission unequivocally recommended
granting Albania the status of candidate for EU membership,
which it obtained in June 2014. In the light of the country’s
progress, the Commission recommended opening accession
negotiations with Albania in 2016, 2018 and 2019. In June 2018,
the Council agreed to the possible opening of accession
negotiations with Albania in June 2019, provided the necessary
conditions had been fulfilled. However, both in June 2019 and
October 2019, the Council failed to greenlight the opening of
accession negotiations. In March 2020, it finally decided to open
accession negotiations, pending the fulfilment of a set of
conditions. In July 2020, the Commission presented the draft
negotiating framework – the first to take into account the
‘revised methodology for enlargement to the Western Balkans’
that was published in February 2020 – to the Member States.
Almost a year and a half later, accession negotiations with
Albania – and North Macedonia – have not yet been opened.
Source
Source of the map: CIA World
Factbook 2020/2021
30. The Western Balkans & EU Integration: current status
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a potential candidate country. A
stabilisation and association agreements was negotiated and
signed in June 2008 but its entry into force was frozen, mainly
owing to the country’s failure to implement a key ruling of the
European Court of Human Rights.
The EU’s ‘renewed approach’ to the country, which put more
focus on economic governance, allowed the long overdue entry
into force of the SAA on 1 June 2015.
The country submitted its membership application on 15
February 2016. In May 2019, the Commission published its
opinion, including a list of 14 key priorities for BiH, on the basis
of BiH’s replies to a comprehensive questionnaire. One of the 14
key priorities is ensuring the proper functioning of the
Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC),
the parliamentary dimension of the SAA. In July 2020, almost five
years after the first EU-BiH SAPC meeting in November 2015, the
BiH Parliament voted on the SAPC’s Rules of Procedure, which
were formally adopted by the second EU-BiH SAPC in June 2021.
Source
Source of the map: CIA World
Factbook 2020/2021
31. The Western Balkans & EU Integration: current status
The Republic of North Macedonia
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (now the Republic of
North Macedonia) applied for EU membership in March 2004
and was granted EU candidate status in December 2005.
However, the country was unable to open accession negotiations
for many years, mainly owing to the dispute with Greece over
the country’s use of the name ‘Macedonia’. This dispute was
successfully resolved through the ‘Prespa Agreement’ on the
country’s new name – Republic of North Macedonia or North
Macedonia – which entered into force in February 2019. Since
2009, the Commission, with the unwavering support of
Parliament, had invariably recommended that accession
negotiations be opened. In June 2018, the Council agreed to the
possible opening of accession negotiations with North
Macedonia in June 2019, provided the necessary conditions
were fulfilled. However, in both June 2019 and October 2019,
the Council failed to greenlight the opening of accession
negotiations. In March 2020, the Council decided to open
accession negotiations without additional conditionality. In July
2020, the Commission presented the draft negotiating
framework. Accession negotiations with North Macedonia – and
Albania – have not yet been opened. Source
Source of the map: CIA World
Factbook 2020/2021
32. The Western Balkans & EU Integration: current status
Kosovo
Kosovo is a potential candidate for EU accession. It unilaterally
declared its independence in February 2008. Five EU Member
States (Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain) and two
countries in the region (Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina)
have not recognised Kosovo’s independence.
In July 2018, six years after a visa liberalisation roadmap was
issued, the Commission confirmed that Kosovo had fulfilled all
the criteria. The European Parliament immediately followed suit
and entered into interinstitutional negotiations, which are
ongoing. In the region, only Kosovo remains excluded from visa
liberalisation, as some EU Member States continue to have
reservations. After a landmark agreement on normalising
relations was reached in April 2013 by Belgrade and Pristina
(the ‘Brussels Agreement’), the European Council decided in
June 2013 to open negotiations on an SAA with Kosovo, which
entered into force on 1 April 2016. Kosovo’s future EU integration
– like Serbia’s – remains closely linked to the EU-facilitated high-
level dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which should lead to
a legally binding comprehensive agreement on the normalisation
of their relations.
Source
Source of the map: CIA World
Factbook 2020/2021
33. The Western Balkans & EU Integration: current status
Montenegro
Montenegro, which gained independence in 2006, applied for EU
membership in December 2008.
It was granted candidate status in December 2010 and
accession negotiations were opened in June 2012. In line with
the EU’s ‘new approach’ to the accession process, the crucial rule
of law chapters – Chapter 23 on judicial reform and fundamental
rights and Chapter 24 on freedom, security and justice – were
opened at an early stage in the negotiations, in December 2013.
To date, all 33 screened negotiating chapters have been opened,
of which only three have been provisionally closed. The last
remaining key chapter (on competition policy) was opened in
June 2020.
In its Western Balkans Strategy, published in February 2018, the
Commission stated that Montenegro (and Serbia) could join the
EU by 2025, albeit acknowledging that this perspective was
‘extremely ambitious’.
Source
Source of the map: CIA World
Factbook 2020/2021
34. The Western Balkans & EU Integration: current status
Serbia
Serbia submitted its application for EU membership in December
2009 and was granted candidate status in March 2012 after
Belgrade and Pristina reached an agreement on Kosovo’s
regional representation. Accession negotiations were formally
opened on 21 January 2014.
The first two chapters, including the one on normalisation of
relations with Kosovo, were opened in December 2015. The key
rule of law Chapters 23 and 24 were opened on 18 July 2016. To
date, 18 out of 35 negotiating chapters have been opened, two
of which have been provisionally closed. Since December 2019,
no new chapters have been opened. In its Western Balkans
Strategy, published in February 2018, the Commission stated
that Serbia (and Montenegro) could join the EU by 2025, albeit
acknowledging that this perspective was ‘extremely ambitious’.
Serbia’s future EU integration – like Kosovo’s – remains closely
linked to the EU-facilitated high-level dialogue between Serbia
and Kosovo, which should lead to a legally binding
comprehensive agreement on the normalisation of their
relations.
Source
Source of the map: CIA World
Factbook 2020/2021
35. Lecture 1 - Introduction: economic geography and its recent paradigms
Source
SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey 2019
Unleashing the Transformation Potential for Growth in the Western Balkans
Government at a Glance: Western Balkans
37. With public spending on research and development
amounting to only 0.06% of GDP in 2018, the public
scientific research sector remains underfunded.
Investment in the scientific research system would
make the profession more attractive, leading to
higher-quality research outputs.
Albania is one of the economies in Europe most
at risk for multiple natural hazards. It would
benefit from an all-inclusive land-use policy
framework to provide clear direction, focusing
on modernising building codes, updating seismic
hazard maps and combatting unregulated and
illegal building.
Source
39. Lecture 1 - Introduction: economic geography and its recent paradigms
The first attempt to develop clusters in
Albania dates back to 2004, through a
dedicated project financed by USAID,
namely Enterprise Development and Export
Markets (EDEM).
The project identified four potential
clusters in Albania:
• the leather products,
• meat processing industry,
• medical and aromatic herbs and
• tourism. The main selection criterion for
these specific clusters was, as the
project name indicates, the potential of
these sectors to export.
Economic geography: Albania
Source
In 2010, AIDA (Albanian Investment
Development Agency) was established,
with a twofold objective:
– Improve the Albanian ability to attract
foreign direct investments
– Support exports and SMEs to be more
competitive and increase their capacity
to innovate.
41. The employment rate of women increased from 29.5% in 2015 to 33%
in 2018 and 35.6% in Q2/2019. However, it is still very low, at 10.2
percentage points below the WB6 average and 27.7 percentage points
below the EU average. Increasing access to affordable and quality
childcare and implementing measures to reduce gender stereotypes in
education and the workplace would help to increase employment
rates of women and the total workforce of the economy.
Brain drain is reducing
human capital for research
and development and
efforts to counter this
should be increased,
including additional
funding incentives.
Source
44. Youth unemployment is very high (49.5% in 2019)
indicating severe problems with the school-to-work
transition. Youth unemployment and skills
mismatches need to be reduced, e.g. by introducing
employment support policies,
Only 17.3% of arable lands are irrigated, while
water network losses and lack of water storage
facilities persist. Increasing investment in
maintaining the existing irrigation network while
bringing new areas under irrigation would improve
the agriculture sector’s productivity.
Source
45. Economic geography: Kosovo
Industries
mineral mining, construction materials, base
metals, leather, machinery, appliances,
foodstuffs/beverages, textiles
Agricultural products
wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit,
dairy, livestock, fish
Imports
$4.19 billion (2020 est.)
foodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum,
chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles,
stone, ceramic/glass products, electrical
equipment
partners:
Germany 12%, Serbia 12%, Turkey 10%,
China 9%, Italy 6%, North Macedonia
5%, Albania 5% (2017)
Exports
$1.69 billion (2020 est.)
mining, processed metal products, scrap metals,
leather products, machinery, appliances,
prepared foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco
partners:
Albania 16%, India 14%, North Macedonia 12%,
Serbia 11%, Switzerland 6%, Germany 5% (2017)
47. The pressure on land and soil resources is growing,
especially in the context of a pronounced decrease
in agricultural land, from 38% in 2012 to 18.5% in
2016.
A land-use management framework for cleaning up
contaminated land would lower the pressure on land
and soil resources.
Despite the proliferation of government
supported ICT training programmes, the
number of businesses applying for digital
transformation programmes has remained
relatively low. Their lack of relevance to the
industry can widen the gap between the skills
available and those sought by companies.
Developing a common digital competence
framework for ICT professionals would help to
meet the needs of the labour market. Source
Montenegro has
achieved some level
of preparation in
the fight against
corruption. It made
limited progress in
2020 Source
The country
experienced a sharp
recession in 2020 as
the COVID-19
pandemic took a
heavy toll on its
tourism-dependent
economy. Source
48. Lecture 1 - Introduction: economic geography and its recent paradigms
Economic geography: Montenegro
Industries
steelmaking, aluminium, agricultural processing,
consumer goods, tourism
Imports
$2.9 billion (2020 est.)
refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, recreational boats,
cigarettes (2019)
partners:
Serbia 30%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 8%, Croatia 8%, Italy 6%, Greece
6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Exports
$1.24 billion (2020 est.)
aluminium, packaged medicines, cars, zinc, wine (2019)
partners:
Serbia 17%, Hungary 15%, China 11%, Russia 7%, Bosnia and
Herzegovina 6%, Germany 6%, Italy 5%, Poland 5% (2019)
Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes,
watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barley
UNIDO helps
promote
Montenegrin food
clusters
As regards governance,
there is a need to
strengthen
stakeholders'
participation, and the
government's capacity
to implement reforms.
50. Only 25% of individuals used the Internet to
interact with public authorities in 2019, compared
to an EU average of 55%.
Many important services allow only for one-way
interaction, showing a need to boost e-government
services and digital inclusion overall.
North Macedonia lags behind in tourism
development.
An intra-governmental body could improve co-
ordination among ministries and other public
institutions, while actively involving private and
public stakeholders in developing and
implementing tourism strategies. Source
53. The majority of State-owned enterprises engage in
commercial activities and do not fall under the
public ownership framework.
A comprehensive state ownership policy is important
to reduce inefficiencies and low overall returns on
the state’s investment.
Sporadic public-private co-operation and the
lack of financial resources are among the main
obstacles to a more efficient implementation of
tourism master plans and development
programmes. The harmonised and efficient
development of competitive and sustainable
tourism products could be promoted by a
stronger involvement of the municipalities.
Source
54. Economic geography: Serbia
Industries
automobiles, base metals, furniture, food processing, machinery, chemicals,
sugar, tires, clothes, pharmaceuticals
Agricultural products
maize, wheat, sugar beets, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, soybeans,
plums/sloes, apples, barley
Imports ($30.15 billion 2020 est.)
crude petroleum, cars, packaged
medicines, natural gas, refined
petroleum (2019)
partners: Germany 13%, Russia 9%,
Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, China 5%,
Turkey 5% (2019)
Exports ($25.42 billion 2020 est.)
insulated wiring, tires, corn, cars, iron products, copper (2019)
partners:
Germany 12%, Italy 10%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 7%, Romania 6%, Russia 5% (2019)
Source