Abstract ▼

The text is divided in three parts. The first part deals with the external and internal causes of the euro zone crisis of „sovereign debts“. In the second part, we have presented the main measures that have been adopted so far by EU countries in order to deal with the crisis. The third part discusses the possible consequences of the crisis on the EU economy and its organisation for a long term. The crisis of sovereign debts is one of the major and most complex crises that have struck the EU in the last fifty years. The completion of the economic and monetary union has not been followed by the adequate economic and fiscal policies and the “stability pact” has not been respected. The decision by the European Council of December 2011 does not give an answer to all basic structural problems that have been at the root of the crisis. It is not certain that the crisis will be overcome even with regard to the ongoing issues. The crisis has also opened the issue of power sharing inside the European Union. The (self) exclusion of Great Britain from the arrangements agreed in December 2011 announces a recomposition of forces on the European continent with Germany as a dominant power

Abstract ▼

Even though not completely unambiguous the indicators of the level of corruption in Serbia show that after 2000 there has been a trend of very slow decline of corrupt activities. The progress in the fight against corruption in Serbia is rated slow on the part of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. However, the evaluation of progress would be more complete if there were more advanced domestic indicators of efficiency in the fight against corruption. It is expected that the continuation of reforms in the sphere of European integration will enable this trend to proceed. The systemic reforms are the way to go on. In accordance with the parameters of the level of corruption (Corruption Perceptions Index, Doing Business rank, SEF list of competitiveness, control of corruption index, etc...) Serbia lags behind EU countries or those that are close to join this integration.

Abstract ▼

Cultural and Information Diplomacy are considered an important and influential aspect of contemporary Public Diplomacy, what is proved by the diplomatic practice of the most developed countries. Serbian Cultural Diplomacy is in the process of restore-making based on important qualitative pillars and capacities. Its purpose is to support the achievement of the national interest in the Region, Europe and the International Community. Within that context Information Diplomacy has also a special place, conditioned by the need to be transformed in a more operational and economical direction.

Abstract ▼

The text analyses the main tendencies regarding the public opinion polls on the EU in Serbia from 2000 to 2010 and examines their correlation with the positions of the political elites on the process of European integration. All these changes were perceived within the context of numerous opinion polls, which were conducted by the most prominent Serbian opinion polls agencies focusing on the period between 2004 and 2010. The comparative analysis pointed out the discrepancies in the opinion polls in Serbia as well as the main political, economic and social determinants that caused changes of the public opinion positions in the process of Serbia’s accession to the EU.

Abstract ▼

The jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights has a double effect on national legal orders. Apart from the decisions on individual applications for the alleged violations of the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, the Court signals the national authorities of the proper interpretation and implementation of human rights guarantees. The limitation of human rights is in certain cases a legitimate action taken by the government. That is why it is so important to have a clear understanding of the conditions and the extent of such a limitation. For the proper assessment of the problem it is essential to understand the doctrines developed by the Court in the process of decision-making concerning the validity of the human rights limitation in a specific case.

Abstract ▼

In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had launched the Trade Point Programme, while in 2000 it signed the Agreement of Transfer with the World Trade Point Federation (WTPF). This institution was established as a nongovernmental organisation. Its objective is to facilitate the access to international markets to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially by using full information update and communication technology. The Federation offers its services to SMEs through its web site www.tradepoint.org as well through the human resources network, which includes more than 120 Trade Points that are located in more than 80 countries all over the world. The Trade Point works as “one-stop-shops” through which a client gains a full range of trade information, trade assistance and e-trading. In order to do business on international markets by using the services of WTPF and its Trade Point members SMEs can make access to the latest information and telecommunication technologies and services, inform their potential partners of their products and find business partners in other countries. UNCTAD keeps on helping the Federation (as a host of its Secretariat in Geneva) under the extended mandate of its member states.

Abstract ▼

As a complex tax form, value-added tax is facing numerous challenges in all aspects of introducing and keeping it. This problem is especially pronounced in federal countries, where there is a clear need for accurate distribution of competences at certain levels of government with regard to collection and redistribution of this very plentiful tax form. The aim of this paper is to show the problems that are still present in the implementation of VAT in federal countries and to find certain solutions that would be acceptable to all or at least to a great number of these countries.

Abstract ▼

In this paper, the authors focus their attention on the new trends in contemporary diplomacy. The authors give an overview of those changes by taking into account the transformation of international relations, new global challenges and the emergence of new actors on the international scene. As an illustration of changes in the contemporary diplomatic service, they have sketched the internal organization of ministries of foreign affairs of four European countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Austria and Denmark. Along with the changes in the organizational structure, they also consider the integrity of the diplomatic servant as a contemporary institute.