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Background: The main goal of the paper is to review the existing state and propose a model solution for the introduction of the waste-to-energy concept in the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as these Balkan countries are a source of high pollution due to the inefficient use of fossil fuels and the operation of coal-fired power plants. Besides, these countries have very low level of waste management, which results in the uncontrolled disposal of a large amount of waste which consists of plastic and microplastic materials which are difficult to decompose in natural ecosystems. Methods: Considering the type and objectives of the study, a mixed research method was chosen as a combination of exploratory research, descriptive research, explanatory research, and modeling. Results: The main result of the research shows the unfavorable situation in the field of waste management in the Republic of Serbia, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both countries have adopted adequate strategies and plans, but waste management is not implemented accordingly, Nevertheless, numerous problems create considerable opportunities for improvement, especially regarding the potential for energy production from waste, which is an important approach to implementing the circular economy model. The study showed that the situation is particularly unfavorable in rural areas. Hence, the research proposes (a) a novel model for waste-to-energy governance and (b) a novel model for waste-to-energy management in rural areas. The research was done, and models were developed based on the examples of the Republic of Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the results can be used in countries with a similar level of waste management and with a larger share of rural areas. Conclusions: The paper emphasizes the importance of a holistic and systemic approach to waste management, with emphasis on using waste-to-energy concept as particularly applicable in the transition to circular economy. This study proposes a model for the integration of waste management (with emphasis on plastic and microplastic) and energy efficiency, presenting a model of approach that can be used in countries that are at the beginning of introducing a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to establish a unified typology for the culturally significant kulla stone houses built in the cross-border region of Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro during the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite some attempts at typological categorisation on the national level, a joint typology for this region currently needs to be improved. Based on existing literature and field research, the paper identifies the specificities of different geographical locations while validating the core attributes common to all typological variations. The findings suggest that the joint typological classification of kulla in the Balkans should primarily be based on architectural elements and, to some extent, setting, building materials and techniques, while functional composition is consistent across all types. The paper argues that defining a common typology for the Albanian kulla stone houses in the Balkans is crucial for evaluating, preserving, and developing kulla as serial properties and for their future regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main goal of the paper is to define the level of energy efficiency in the economies of selected countries in the Balkan region that have opted for the EU Green Deal, a circular economy, and a transition to carbon neutrality. Energy efficiency, as a determinant of carbon neutrality, was selected as an indicator for analysis because it records particularly unfavorable indicators in the region under observation. The research was carried out on a sample of seven Balkan countries and their surrounding areas. An initial qualitative analysis was followed by a quantitative analysis based on a combination of statistical methods and soft computing. Six indicators were selected for the analysis covering a period of 30 years (1990–2020). Results: A significant obstacle to the green transition and the region's transition to a circular economy and carbon neutrality is energy efficiency and energy related pollution—the reliance of most countries on coal-fired thermal power plants for electricity generation. The research results showed the following: (a) the degree of economic development and membership in the European Union are not significantly related to the level of energy efficiency; (b) most of the sampled countries are in the initial stages of introducing activities to achieve carbon neutrality; and (c) only Slovenia has documented consistent indicators and evident advancements in its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality. Based on the research findings, proposals for improvements were made in the direction of policymaking and in a methodological sense. Conclusions: The implementation of circularity and carbon neutrality as a long-term goal of the European Union is not necessarily related to the level of economic development, nor can its trajectory be exclusively ascertained by means of data processing and monitoring. A more precise understanding of a carbon-neutral future can be achieved through the incorporation of qualitative data to a greater extent, a realistic evaluation of historical facts and their repercussions, as well as projections of the effects that reality and global developments after 2022 will have on each country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this paper is to reconsider the necessity for the green transition and the key preconditions for the implementation of a circular economy in Western Balkan countries. With the objective of the research in mind, the method of analysis and synthesis was applied to determine (1) regulatory and institutional prerequisites for the green transition; (2) the need for the Western Balkan countries to redefine the model of sustainable economic growth towards the green transition; (3) the development opportunities for recovery defined in the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans; and (4) the possibility of implementing the circular economy in the Western Balkans. Main text: The main findings of the research indicate that: (1) the countries of the Western Balkan region, following the example of the EU, should define a national strategic approach to the green transition with an accompanying action plan and regulatory framework; (2) the biggest challenge of the green transition is the reform of the energy sector and the restructuring of the energy-intensive economy; (3) the countries have untapped potential in renewable energy sources and report the improvement of energy efficiency; (4) the circular economy can boost the green transition, because the countries of the region have a five-time lower value of resource productivity than the average of the EU, while the generation of waste (excluding major mineral wastes) per GDP unit is lower compared to the EU; (5) cross-sectoral governance should be more coordinated. Conclusions: The green transition might be a development opportunity for the Western Balkans, which should enable sustainable economic growth as well as energy security and environmental protection. However, the implementation of the Green Agenda is not easy, because the region faces the problem of underdeveloped regulatory and institutional capacities that might provide not only the base for long-term planning but also financial resources for the efficient implementation of projects. In addition, it is essential to understand the principles of the Green Agenda and the interaction of all activities that should enable the achievement of defined goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the problem of sustainability in remediation, retrofit, and seismic upgrading of historic masonry structures. Different rehabilitation techniques and some successful applications throughout the Balkans and Italy are described, with particular emphasis to the shear reinforcement of wall panels. The selected techniques aim at improving the seismic performance, preserving the structures for future generations, having the least impact in altering the architectural and heritage values, as well as being sustainable, in terms of reduced carbon dioxide emissions, reversibility, and low energy consumption. The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT), natural fibers, and fiber-reinforced Polymers (FRP) jacketing with natural lime coatings are discussed. The paper concludes by summarizing key successes of the proposed rehabilitation solutions in conservation engineering and suggests areas in which these could be used with great advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe is characterized by an uneven record of Middle Paleolithic occupations. Specifically, large parts of southeastern Europe display markedly lower site densities and less intensive evidence of human presence than is found elsewhere; this has often resulted in the exclusion of the Balkans from debates related to Pleistocene human adaptation. The discrepancy stems either from the lower population densities of southeastern Europe or an imbalance in research across Europe. Additionally, our understanding of Balkan Middle Paleolithic stone tool industries suffers from the use of Mousterian labels defined when Bordian typology was the chief method of lithic analysis. Industrial facies then defined and still in use include Balkan Charentian, Levallois Mousterian, Micromousterian, Denticulate Mousterian; their relation with the rest of the Eurasian record was and remains unclear. This paper sets aside the issue of scarcity of Pleistocene occupations and tries to address Neanderthal biogeography, and variations in Neanderthal technological behavior and subsistence, based on the available record. It reviews the current Middle Paleolithic record in the Balkans, presents the apparent temporal and spatial trends, and presents the provisional biogeography of hominins, including scenarios for the demise of Neanderthals at or soon after the arrival of modern humans in Europe. The paper ends with a discussion of perspectives for future research arising from this analysis of the available record and proposes some hypotheses regarding the role of the Balkans in the overall context of the occupational history of western Eurasia in the Middle/Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Works on establishment of the spirit levelling network in the Balkan countries were ruled by the political and economic circumstances. This was subject to the analysis since the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy period, over former Yugoslavia in all of its political forms, down to the present countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Heights differences and heights are part of the II Levelling Network of High Accuracy (II.NVT network). The works on establishment of II.NVT network have been organized and performed by the Federal Geodetic Administration of former Yugoslavia and the Geodetic Administrations of the accompanying Republics. The Military-Geographic Institute from Belgrade had performed gravity measurements over one part of the levelling network. "The II.NVT network data are the subject of computer processing, modern analyses, fundamental and applied scientific researches and application in solving some practical tasks" (Rožić in Acta Geodaetica et Geophysica Hungarica 36(2):231–243, 2001). Calculations of accuracy of corrections in different height systems will be presented in this paper. The subject of this analysis is the error sources in the corrections for the orthometric, normal, and normal orthometric heights. The error sources that accompany the spirit levelling procedure are, for the most part, examined with the assumption that the height difference may be determined with the accuracy of 1.0 mm/km. The corrections in different height systems will be made through the function of a link to the directly/indirectly measured values. The accuracy of the correction will be presented by applying the law of error propagation on the data collected in the II.NVT network for the territory with the characteristic relief. The reason for writing this paper is noted deviation from theoretical assumptions on the shape of reference surfaces in the various height systems. The deviation noted are in the part of relief characteristic over the deep karst and high mountains in one polygon of the II.NVT network, over the distance of 40 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper is related to the current stage of development in the Western Balkans. Despite becoming growing instruments to finance sustainable green development, debt swaps and social or sustainability bonds are relative novelties in this region. At the same time, the development needs are huge, especially in the light of the COVID-19 aftermath. Results: The review of both historic financial instruments, such as the debt for nature swaps, and more recent ones, such as sustainability bonds in its variations, highlight the potential for use in developing countries. The relatively recent case from Montenegro and the recent issuance of the green bond in Serbia showcase the possibilities. The focus of this paper is an analysis of the public debt position of Western Balkan countries. The growing level of public debt over the past decade points to a lack of adequate interventions and a relatively imminent need for fiscal consolidation. The research suggests that environmental, social, governance/sustainability-linked bonds and debt-for-climate swap investments as innovative financial instruments that hold promise in leveraging additional finance to support the sustainability goals of the six countries of the Western Balkans. This influx of capital would be particularly advantageous, given their needs relative to EU accession and their economic and structural challenges. The recommendations for policymakers are derived based on the history and features of green bonds as well as debt-for-nature swaps and their diverse underlying mechanisms which are adaptable to the respective countries. Conclusions: The related countries would benefit from exploring more innovative approaches to finance sustainable societies. In close cooperation with the EU and taking the European Green Deal into consideration, it is recommended that the six countries of the Western Balkans design financing mechanisms that will bring increased transparency to the different policies and more accountability for their implementation. Applying the recommended modality may help keep the problem of the public debt at bay, while additional funds may support implementation of structural reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The European Commission (EC), based on the European Green Deal (2019) and the Recovery plan for Europe (2021), envisages investing 30% of the budget in climate-related programs, projects, and initiatives, which clearly shows Europe's commitment to becoming the first climate-neutral region by 2050. Activities are also planned for countries that are not members of the European Union (EU), which require complex changes in the field of legislation, strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring. To successfully plan short-term and long-term activities on these grounds, it is necessary to have a realistic picture of the state of climate change in each country—as they spill over into the entire region of Europe. The main objective of this paper is to answer the following questions: (i) is climate change observed in Western Balkans? (ii) how are certain sectors vulnerable to climate change in Western Balkans? (iii) what are the climate change adaptation strategies in the six countries of the Western Balkans? The answers to these questions can help in planning activities and initial alignment of Western Balkan countries with the EU plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Main body: The main results of the research show that in all countries of the region, the average annual temperature increased by 1.2 °C compared to 1970, with stabilization and the beginning of the decline which can be expected around 2040. The main reasons for climate change in the region are: industry, energy, and heating sector based on coal exploitation, low energy efficiency, etc. Conclusions: It can be concluded that Croatia as a member of the EU has adopted, and other five Western Balkans countries are in the process of adopting the necessary regulations and strategies towards climate change mitigation, but the implementation of specific activities is at a low level. The reason for this most often lies in the insufficient commitment of decision-makers to make significant changes in the field of climate change transition (lower level of economic development, lack of investment, and preservation of social peace). Finally, this paper provides an overview of climate change by country, scenario analysis, and policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gumelnița site belongs to the Kodjadermen-Gumelnița-Karanovo VI (KGK VI) communities (c. 4700–3900 cal BC) and comprises the tell-type settlement and its corresponding cemetery. This paper reconstructs the diet and lifeways of the Chalcolithic people in the northeastern Balkans using archaeological remains found at the Gumelnița site (Romania). A multi-bioarchaeological investigation (archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, anthropology) was conducted on vegetal, animal, and human remains, alongside radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analyses (δ13C, δ15N) of humans (n = 33), mammals (n = 38), reptiles (n = 3), fishes (n = 8), freshwater mussels shells (n = 18), and plants (n = 24). According to the results of δ13C and δ15N values and FRUITS, the inhabitants of Gumelnița had a diet based on crops and using natural resources, such as fish, freshwater molluscs and game. Although domestic fauna was occasionally exploited for meat, it had a role in providing secondary products. Crops were heavily manured, and chaff and other crop waste may have been necessary fodder for cattle and sheep. Dogs and pigs fed on human waste, although the diet of the latter is more similar to that of wild boars. Foxes had a diet close to dogs, which may indicate synanthropic behaviour. Radiocarbon dates were calibrated with the percentage of freshwater resources obtained by FRUITS. As a result, the corrected dates for the freshwater reservoir effect (FRE) have a delay of an average of 147 years. According to our data, this agrarian community developed a subsistence strategy under the pressure of some climatic changes that started after 4300 cal BC, corresponding to KGK VI rapid collapse/decline episode tracked recently (that begins around 4350 cal BC). This matching of our data in the two models (climatic and chrono-demographic) allowed us to capture the economic strategies that led to the resilience of those people more than other contemporary KGK VI communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper aims to analyze the possibilities of the agricultural sector of the Western Balkan to assess compliance with the European Green Deal, which provides for the implementation of activities, which should enable the transition to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation. This paper is among the first to present the causality of agriculture and climate change (status, mitigation, and perspectives) in general and in light of the European Green Deal for the Western Balkan territory. Main text: Agricultural production is a leading industry in the Western Balkan. Climate change and predictions that temperatures will increase by 4 °C in the coming decades pose a risk not only to agricultural production but also to the safety of the population, because agriculture is the main source of income for a significant part of it. Uncontrolled floods and droughts caused by climate change are a particular danger for agriculture and human existence. This paper demonstrates that agriculture in the WB can be considered critically affected by climate change. Conclusions: Unless appropriate measures are taken and risk management for water resources and agriculture is improved, there will be a further decrease in precipitation and an increase in dry days by 20%. Such a scenario endangers not only the already vulnerable climate sustainability and biodiversity of the region but also the existence of a population employed in agriculture and the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product. However, future planning based on the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and European Green Deal, the adoption of a related regulatory framework, the establishment and regular monitoring of supporting financing mechanisms, regional cooperation, and improving risk management (with emphasis on the local level) can mitigate the present impact and decrease the expected negative impact of climate change on agriculture and biodiversity in the WB region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite high levels of societal homophobia, Western Balkan countries have recently passed laws proscribing anti-LGBT violence. The laws, however, are rarely used, as these countries report few or no recorded cases. The question is: Why do Western Balkan countries legislate against homophobia, but then fail to operationalize that legislation? Hate studies, still over-focused on the West, do not provide the answer. The aim of this paper is to offer a possible explanation based on a combination of secondary data provided by the OSCE and primary research undertaken by the author. Using the theory of Europeanization as an explanatory frame, the paper argues that hate crime laws are enacted as part of the democratization process, with the support of the OSCE and NGOs, and under EU influence. As this is done before favourable sentiments are assured, insufficient resources are put into the policing and monitoring of hate crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses and re-evaluates current explanations and interpretations of the origins, development and societal context of metallurgy in the Balkans (c. 6200–3700 BC). The early metallurgy in this region encompasses the production, distribution and consumption of copper, gold, tin bronze, lead and silver. The paper draws upon a wide range of existing archaeometallurgical and archaeological data, the diversity and depth of which make the Balkans one of the most intensively investigated of all early metallurgical heartlands across the world. We focus specifically on the ongoing debates relating to (1) the independent invention and innovation of different metals and metal production techniques; (2) the analysis and interpretation of early metallurgical production cores and peripheries, and their collapses; and (3) the relationships between metals, metallurgy and society. We argue that metal production in the Balkans throughout this period reflects changes in the organisation of communities and their patterns of cooperation, rather than being the fundamental basis for the emergence of elites in an increasingly hierarchical society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narratives about the challenges of China's growing involvement with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for the region and the EU are exponentially proliferating and have already effectively monopolized the understanding of this relationship among scholars, analysts, media, and policy-makers in the Western European capitals. The Western Balkans, as a sub-region of CEE, are thought of as particularly prone to Chinese influence—the countries in this geographical area are not EU members nor are fully integrated in the EU's policy and legislative frameworks and initiatives yet are interested in maximizing the economic benefits of their relationship with China. By strategically developing ties with the Western Balkans, China is understood to have, or is well on the way to achieve, profound impact in this region. This paper focuses on three policy areas perceived to be both the most important channels and the clearest expressions of China's influence in the Western Balkans—foreign policy, physical infrastructure and connectivity, and investment. Using the notion of the structural power for its analytical framework, this study finds that while the attention has been on China's growing presence in the region, the extent to which the EU has since moved to re-assert its leadership in the Balkans has gone under the radar. The paper concludes that in recent years Brussels has reformulated its agenda so as to bind the Balkan states to its own policies and objectives, constraining their ability to independently shape their relationship with Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the seismicity and heat flow in the regions that make the periphery of the East European Platform: the western sector of the Arctic, the Carpathians, the Balkans, Rhodope-Rila, and the Caucasian–Caspian region. A significant inverse relationship between these parameters has been demonstrated at a statistical level. We derived regression equations that enable one to estimate seismic activity in relation to geothermal regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the links between university-industry collaboration (UIC) predictors (inputs) and the results of UIC cooperation (outputs). The focus of the research is UIC within the European Union member states and the Western Balkan countries. The analysis was conducted using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). This method enabled examining the links between variables that are not directly observable. The authors used data for the period of three years, 2015–2018. The results prove that countries investing in UIC predictors (inputs) have better UIC performance (outputs). Based on the statistical analysis, the authors identified the investments in knowledge, networking, and research and development (R&D), in general, as the most significant that impact UIC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Serbian government has taken several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures may have led to a disruption of daily life and affected food-related behaviors. This paper investigates the state of food waste management in Serbia and COVID-19's direct effect on consumer awareness, food consumption, and food waste behaviors. The study is based on an online survey using a structured questionnaire administered in Serbian from May 13 until June 13, 2020, through the Google forms platform. A total of 1212 valid answers were collected, mainly from female, young, and high-educated people. The survey results suggested that (i) household food waste in Serbia is low and there is a positive attitude toward food waste prevention; (ii) food waste increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) consumers reduced the number of shopping trips and shopped more than usual during the pandemic. This study contributes to a better understanding of consumers' consumption habits and attitudes toward food waste to prevent and reduce it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the countries of the Western Balkans (WB) have committed to sustainable development, the process of regulatory and economic adjustment is underway. As part of the aforementioned fact, the WB countries have commenced exploitation of energy from renewable sources, among which hydropower is the most important. The main objective of the study is to analyse the status of renewable energy transition in the WB region, focusing on the construction and exploitation of small hydropower plants (SHPPs), as well as a proposal for an original model for decision making in this field, based on a multidimensional decision-making space. Namely, in most cases, there is resistance to the construction of SHPPs in the WB territory, as well as divided opinion among investors, companies, environmental movements, academia, and citizens on this issue. This shows that the entire decision-making process has to be reviewed and re-designed. Results: The results of the study show that the construction of SHPPs caused damage to environmentally protected areas, living conditions of local communities, touristic and agricultural potential. All of the foregoing matters have led to mass protests by citizens and a high degree of mistrust so that the future of SHPPs in the WB is extremely uncertain. The assessment of the acceptability of existing SHPPs through the proposed model showed that 74% of SHPPs cannot be considered acceptable from the aspect of the location where they were built, and from the aspect of the impact on the quality of life of the local population. Accordingly, this paper provides suggestions for much-needed improvements. Conclusions: The construction of SHPPs is causing numerous controversies, opposition, and resistance. To find the right solution, and contribute to sustainable energy and economic development, it is necessary to develop a fully transparent and objective policy system in this field, and to use contemporary models for decision making with emphasis on the involvement local communities in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What was driving the migrations of the first farmers across Europe? How were demography, society, and environment interconnected to give rise to the macroregional expansion pattern that archaeology is revealing? We simulate the demography and spatial behavior of the first farming communities in the Central Balkans in order to infer the parameters and mechanisms of the Neolithic expansion in this part of Europe. We compare the simulation output to the empirical record of radiocarbon dates in order to systematically evaluate which expansion scenarios were the most probable. Our results suggest that if the expansion of the Neolithic unfolded in accord with the specific wave of advance model that we presented in this paper, the expansion was driven by very high fertility and community fission to avoid social tensions. The simulation suggests that the number of children born by an average Neolithic woman who lived through her entire fertile period was around 8 children or more, which is on the high end of the ethnographically recorded human total fertility rate spectrum. The most plausible simulated fission threshold values are between 50 and 100 people, which is usually smaller than the estimated environmental carrying capacity. This would suggest that the primary reason for the community fission and for seeking out new land was social rather than ecological. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albania is a small country on the Balkan Peninsula that recently implemented an innovative primary healthcare program called "Si Je?" (How are you?) which allowed all Albanians aged 40-65 years to receive a free, yearly basic health examination at their local health center. Access to basic primary care is a critical component of a nationwide culture of prevention particularly for the non-communicable diseases that comprise 89% of total deaths in the country. Yet, as in many middle-income countries, a culture of prevention in Albania is often secondary to ensuring basic health infrastructure and healthcare access for those critically in need. Using the social-ecological model as our conceptual framework, this paper provides new insights into the culture of prevention in Albania by analyzing the need for, and implementation of, the Si Je? program using (1) findings from a critical literature review, (2) quantitative data from the database created from this program, and (3) qualitative data from key informant interviews from 15 health center directors. Positive developments towards a culture of prevention include the fact that the Si Je? program has been expanded to those 35-70 years, strengthened links between community and primary care, and participation among rural communities who traditionally have limited primary care access. Challenges include continued urgent health infrastructure needs, politicization of the Si Je? effort, limited participation by some groups (particularly urban men), and regional variations. Despite challenges, Albania appears to be building new infrastructure for a sustainable culture of prevention, particularly around chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates first and last conjunct agreement in Serbo-Croatian, the latter being a rather rare phenomenon for head initial languages. The paper gives a uniform account of first and last conjunct agreement based on the operation Agree (Chomsky ). The account captures both the contexts where first and last conjunct agreement exhibit parallel behavior and the contexts where the parallelism between the two breaks down. The analysis also captures interaction between gender and number agreement. Given the complexity of the first/last conjunct agreement paradigm in Serbo-Croatian, to the extent that it is successful the analysis presented in the paper provides strong evidence in favor of the operation Agree in general, as well as the particular approach to Agree adopted in the paper. The system developed in the paper allows one instance of uninterpretable features, namely valued uninterpretable features, not to undergo feature checking and does not require uninterpretable features in general to undergo feature checking with interpretable features, differing in these respects from Chomsky (, ) and Pesetsky and Torrego (). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine the relation between the integration process and the intensity of intra-industry trade between two countries of different levels of development. Our theoretical model and results indicate that trade liberalization and the establishment of the Free Trade Areas between the Balkan countries and the EC have led to the growth of the intra-industry trade between Greece—EC member state—and those countries. The main instruments of this process have been the Europe Agreements and the Stabilization and Association Agreements between the Balkan countries and the EC. The paper presents a model in vertically differentiated products in a Free Trade Area context and proceeds to depict the intensity of intra-industry trade between Greece and the Balkan countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to model the personality traits, affect and satisfaction in the context of banking services. Specifically, it is proposed that extraversion/neuroticism impacts positive/negative affect respectively, which in turn influence satisfaction. Additionally, the direct and indirect impact of extraversion/neuroticism on satisfaction is analyzed. A survey with 269 Macedonian current users of banking services was carried out, using questionnaires as a method of data collection. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied in testing the proposed model. The findings indicate that neuroticism as a personality trait impacts negative affect, while extraversion impacts positive affect. Further, the influence of positive affect on satisfaction is in positive direction, whereas the influence of negative affect on satisfaction is in negative direction. Neuroticism has no direct impact on satisfaction, but it indirectly negatively influences satisfaction when mediated by negative affect. On the other hand, extraversion has direct negative effect on satisfaction and indirect positive effect when mediated by positive affect, which suggests competitive mediation. The present paper contributes to the existing literature by linking personality traits, affect and customer satisfaction in one model providing evidence-based insights on the structural relations between personality traits, affect and customer satisfaction. Moreover, this is the first study to explore the relationships between personality traits, affect and customer satisfaction of retail banking customer in a developing country in the Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the Cyanus tuberosus group has been unsettled since its first members were described in the nineteenth century. In this paper, we provide a revision of the group based on analyses of its genetic (amplified fragment length polymorphisms; 240 individuals), morphological (48 morphological traits, 611 individuals), ecological (42 studied sites) and phenological (281 individuals) variability, supplemented with field observations and a study of relevant herbarium specimens. We found that the studied group is extensively radiated and comprises nine almost allopatric genetic lineages which should be classified at the species or subspecies rank. The C. tuberosus group, as defined here, comprises eight Balkan endemic species, namely C. adamovicii (comb. nov.), C. austrobalcanicus (sp. nov.), C. nissanus, C. orbelicus, C. tuberosus, C. velenovskyi, C. vichrenensis (sp. nov.) and C. vorasanus (sp. nov.). Within C. austrobalcanicus, two subspecies are recognised, namely C. austrobalcanicus subsp. austrobalcanicus (sp. nov. et subsp. nov.) and C. austrobalcanicus subsp. prisadanus (subsp. nov.). An identification key, distribution map and taxonomic treatments of the recognised taxa are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Balkan states are engaged in a complex and contradictory process of simultaneous regional integration and disintegration. The main instrument of regional integration has been a network of bilateral Free Trade Agreements which the Balkan countries have adopted under the guidance of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, and more recently the extension of the CEFTA free trade area to the region. The bilateral FTAs have been criticised for creating a ‘spaghetti bowl’ of differentiated trade relations, and creating risks of trade deflection and trade diversion. At the same time other arrangements, including the contractual relations of individual countries with the EU, cut across the region and fragment their mutual trade relations. Moreover, Croatia is likely to become an EU member within the next few years, at which point it will suspend its trade agreements with the non-member Balkan states. Therefore, soon after having established a new mechanism of integration, the region will once again be split apart, leaving a rump association of five or six poverty-stricken and politically unstable countries to pursue the vision of regional cooperation. This paper focuses on the prospects for regional integration among these remaining countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. It explores the patterns of their mutual trade, and the opportunities and obstacles to increasing trade between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success or failure of an investment project in fruit production also depends on the selection of the fruit species and variety. When selecting the variety for the creation of a new orchard it is necessary to perform the synthesis of different data and to look at all aspects of the investment. This paper presents the application of DEX multi-criteria decision making. The model was applied on 7 varieties of plum from the western Balkans region that were assessed by experts from 'The association of agricultural economists of Western Balkans' using the Delphi method. By applying this model it has been shown that the 'Stanley' is the most suitable for starting a new orchard while the varieties 'Čačanska ljepotica' and 'Čačanska rodna' are also very suitable for starting new fruit orchards and they have also received the value attribute 'very acceptable'. Using this model all strong and weak sides of the observed plum variety were shown. For the final selection it is necessary to conduct research at a specific micro location where all characteristics of that area would also be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South-East European (SEE) countries, having signed Stabilisation and Association Agreements with the European Union, are required to establish an operationally independent state aid monitoring authority, to harmonise their legislative framework with that of the EU, and to demonstrate a credible enforcement record. This paper analyses whether these requirements for EU accession have been achieved so far. The authors conducted a comparative cross-country analysis and tried to identify common problems and enforcement trends. As the paper elucidates, the SEE countries have largely met the EU requirements by harmonising their national state aid acts and corresponding by-laws with EU law. However, these rules are applied in a different socio-economic context and by national authorities of dubious independence from the government, which results in a modest enforcement record. As may be derived from the pre-accession experience of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the effectiveness of state aid control mechanisms is conditioned by the credibility of the country's EU perspective. And the South-East European countries have only just started their European journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This abstract presents the methodological approach employed in a comprehensive study focusing on decision making in a collaborative manner in disaster management, with a specific emphasis on cross-border disasters in the Balkan region. Disasters, characterized by their sudden and profound impacts on human life, property, and the environment, necessitate a well-coordinated response. Emergency management, which encompasses preparation, response, and recovery phases, relies on the collective efforts of diverse agencies, organizations, and individuals to ensure an efficient response. The preparedness phase is particularly vital, entailing the formulation and execution of plans, policies, and procedures to effectively respond to disasters. Cross-border disasters, which transcend international borders and affect multiple countries and communities, present unique challenges due to the need for coordination and cooperation among various national governments and organizations. This research addresses the multifaceted aspects of disaster preparedness and cross-border disaster management within the intricate context of the Balkan region. The management of disasters demands a coordinated and proactive approach, especially when dealing with cross-border disasters. International cooperation and effective communication are essential for an effective response and minimizing the disaster's impact on affected communities. Consequently, it is imperative to establish collaborative frameworks that enhance cross-border disaster risk reduction on various levels. To construct the components of a cross-border emergency preparedness framework, an extensive literature review was conducted, identifying ten essential pillars for disaster management. Subsequently, 129 recommendations formed the initial framework, which became the subject of a Delphi study. In this study, 104 experts from 12 participating Balkan countries aimed to reach a consensus on the framework's elements. The study unveiled common aspects necessary for a cross-border preparedness framework tailored to the Balkans' geographical characteristics. This framework was jointly endorsed by various emergency management experts with distinct functions and roles in disaster response. The process and results of this thesis underscore the critical need among Balkan countries to establish a tangible and sustained collaborative environment. This environment should foster a shared mindset and create a pathway towards resilient and sustainable cross-border emergency management cooperation and unity among Balkan countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karstic aquifers are the main groundwater source in Southeastern Europe and the Middle East. Many large springs and sources which drain Alpine orogenic belt and its branches are tapped and utilized for drinking water supply. Due to the unstable regime of the karstic springs, the main challenge for most of the waterworks is to ensure water supply during recession periods which coincide with the dry season, usually summer and early autumn months. Besides the problem of water shortage, water pollution of this open and generally very permeable type of aquifer is another major constraint in local water management. However, in comparison with other type of aquifers, the highly developed karst and its significant storage capacity as found in the studied areas may attenuate significant rainfall/runoff variations and possible climate changes. Most commonly, intensive rain episodes do not result in extreme floods in the studied karst terrains, while stored groundwater provides sufficient base flows for dependent ecosystems during the recession or periods of drought. Several typical hydrographs and results of some models applied for forecasting climate change impact presented in this paper represent a good example of specific karst aquifer behaviours and importance of considerable storage capacity in deeper parts of the aquifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boreo-montane species have been neglected for a long time by south European botanists. However, the interest in this group is re-emerging, especially as regards relic species, refugia and southern distribution limits. This paper reviews the distribution and diversity centres of 63 boreo-montane species in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula and the southern part of the Pannonian Plain. An ordination analysis was used to differentiate geographic regions according to their floristic similarities with respect to the target species group. A comparison of floristic richness and distribution of the boreo-montane flora in relation to the geographic position, altitude and geological substrate was made. The alpine-high-nordic mountain groups of the Dinaric Alps (Durmitor and Prokletije) stand out as centres of diversity of this flora in the study area, which indicates that mountain groups with a relatively high mean annual precipitation sum and without summer droughts provide optimal conditions for survival of boreo-montane species in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. Most boreo-montane species were recorded on limestone and silicate in the altitudinal range of 1,250-1,500 m. The results of our vegetational analysis show that the vegetation classes Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae, Querco-Fagetea and Vaccinio-Piceetea are the richest in boreo-montane species. Given the fact that the habitats of boreo-montane species are recognized as very endangered, an overview of the status of the species' rarity, vulnerability, and protection in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula and the southern part of the Pannonian Plain is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Development finance is vital for low- and middle-income countries to enhance their sustainability agendas, as it provides essential funding necessary to close domestic financing gaps, including in the energy sector. Coal is still a vital power source for the energy sectors in the Western Balkans (i.e., Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The energy sector is a critical component in the five countries' pursuit to decarbonize (i.e., follow the net zero pathways) due to its central role as a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a critical enabler of sustainability transition. This article presents a mapping exercise of development finance for five Western Balkan countries' energy sectors. The study conducted a scoping literature review and detailed analysis of the five countries' energy sector-related development finance flows from 2008 to 2020. This aimed to provide insights into the development finance flows for renewable and non-renewable energy sources in five Western Balkan countries. Results: The scoping literature review indicated a significant gap in knowledge about the effects and effectiveness of development finance in the Western Balkans. Data analysis identified US$3.2 billion in energy development finance in the examined countries. The disbursement ratios were above the global average of 63%. Serbia received the highest proportion of the total funding, while Montenegro obtained the highest funding per capita. The data analysis did not establish a connection between adopting the Paris Agreement in 2016 and increasing development finance flows for renewable energy projects. Around one-third of the disbursed development finance was invested in projects for energy supply using non-renewable sources. Official Development Aid loans represented 37% (US$1.2 billion) of the total funding, contributing to the increase in indebtedness in the five countries. European-based bilateral and multilateral development finance providers were the most important actors in the five examined countries. Conclusions: The amount of the disbursed development finance was insufficient to cover a significant percentage of the needs of the surveyed countries. Although carbon-intensive energy infrastructure received considerable funding, the total amount of disbursed energy development finance ranged between 0.15 and 0.62% of the average gross domestic product for the analyzed countries during the study period. Based on the research findings, we recommend that development finance providers and recipient countries pay greater attention to planning for strategic funding disbursement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of market reforms in 1989, countries of the South-Eastern Europe (SEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) trade significantly less with the world economy than those Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries which later joined the EU. To explain why this is the case, a number of hypotheses have been proposed in the literature. The key novelty of our study consists in a simultaneous assessment of the contribution to trade from geographical, policy and institutional factors, during the EU pre-accession period (1997-2004). An augmented gravity model is proposed and estimated for a reference group of 82 countries employing the Poisson and Tobit estimation techniques. We find that the low quality of economic institutions in the SEE and CIS countries contributed to a considerable proportion of their below potential international trade. We perform policy simulations using institutional data up to 2008 to identify channels for increasing international trade of the SEE and CIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we examined age-related and sex-specific deterioration in bone strength of the proximal femur reflected in mechanical properties from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-based hip structural analysis (HSA) on a cadaveric sample from the Balkans. Cadaveric studies permit more precise measurement of HSA parameters and allow further analyses by micromorphometric methods. DXA and HSA analysis was performed on a total of 138 cadaveric proximal femora (63 female, 75 male, age range 20-101 years) from Belgrade. HSA parameters are reported for three standard regions of the proximal femur (narrow neck, intertrochanteric, and shaft). Major age-related findings include an increase in the radius of gyration (first reported in this study), a decline in the cross-sectional area (CSA), a shift in the centroid towards the medial cortex, higher buckling ratios and lower section moduli. Whereas age appears to affect mostly the neck region in men, weakening is also evident in the intertrochanteric region in women, particularly after the age of 80. Aging femoral neck declines in bending strength and increases in buckling susceptibility. The reduced bone mass tends to be distributed farther from the centroidal axis (increase in radius of gyration with decline in CSA). Bone mass is preferentially lost from the lateral part of the cross-section shifting the centroid towards the medial cortex which may increase fragility of the lateral part during fall impact. Results of this study contribute to the epidemiologic data on gender differences and age trends in aging male and female femora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organized crime is often conceptualized as a business enterprise formed by actors motivated by profits. The Balkans represents an ideal case for testing the extent to which assumptions about the image of actors involved in illegal arms trading can be extrapolated to the macro-level of analysis. Focusing mainly on public discourse, this paper points to several thematic categories of illicit arms trafficking: i) profit-oriented arms trafficking involving organized crime groups ii) trafficking of arms for the purpose of arming criminal-terrorist formations and iii) state-sponsored illegal arms trafficking. Although economic incentives appear strong in many cases, other cultural, social and political issues also frame the illicit arms market in the region. We argue that both understanding and policing organized crime should also embrace the non-economic nature of this type of criminal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transboundary River Nestos in the Balkan Peninsula is a surface water resource shared by Hellas and Bulgaria. The Public Power Corporation of Hellas ( DEH) proceeded to the dams' construction of Thesaurus in 1997 and Platanovrissi in 2000, to satisfy the increased needs for power production and irrigation in the Regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace in the Hellenic Territory. DEH following the Ministerial Agreement of the Hellenic Parliament ‘`KYA 18492/19—09—1996’' funded a series of Research Projects concerned on the monitoring of the water quantity and quality data of Nestos from the Hellenic-Bulgarian borders to its estuaries in the Thracian sea. ‘`PERSEAS’' Research Group from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, carried out the research, design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of the ‘`R.E.MO.S.’' (Remote Environmental MOnitoring System) networks. Three REMOS networks have been installed in the areas of (a) the River Nestos deltaic channel, (b) Thesaurus dam-lake in the intramountainous valley and (c) Potamoi (Despat) and Pagoneri (Nestos) villages close to the borders between Hellas and Bulgaria. They record water level (H), water and air temperature (T), water conductivity (ECw), Redox potential (RP) and dissolved oxygen (DO) on a 24h basis, since the beginning of the year 2000. The research carried out in this paper, is focused on the REMOS station in the final course of Nestos in the deltaic area. The continuous monitoring and the data analysis yield useful results for the quality and quantity of the hydrologic regime of Nestos after the dams' construction, as well as for the trends detected of the quality parameters (ECw, RP and DO) and the water level, using the nonparametric Spearman's criterion. The best fitted model of time trend, for each variable, was chosen. The statistical sample of each one of the quality variables consisted of about 1000 values based on daily measures on a three years monitoring program (1/1/2000—31/12/2002). Further research and analysis for the other network stations of REMOS should provide useful results for the sustainable management of the transboundary River Nestos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humor styles refer to the everyday use of humor, varying across self-enhancing, affiliative, aggressive and self-defeating styles, entailing differences in focus on the self vs. other as well as between being adaptive vs. maladaptive. We validated the instrument devised to capture these differences, the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ; Martin et al., Journal of Research in Personality 37:48–75, 2003), in a novel cultural context. Furthermore, we investigated the relations of humor styles with various aspects of social orientations and attitudes, to widen the understanding of the correlates. Our study showed that the suggested four-factor structure reproduces reasonably well in the Serbian context, with some notable exceptions. Humor styles were meaningfully related to basic social connectedness of the individual (loneliness and self-esteem) as well as the wider social orientations and attitudes (their value orientations, social dominance orientation, and ethnocentrism). The self-defeating humor style was reflective of a more negative view of oneself and subordination to the group while the aggressive humor style indicated endorsement of dominance within the in-group over other groups. We discuss the cross-cultural validity of the instrument and how the findings contribute to a wider positioning of the humor styles within the domain of social-psychological variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the strengthening of the maritime influence on the Balkan Peninsula in summer. The study uses mainly statistical methods such as trend analysis, multiple linear regression models, etc. The research period is 1979–2020. The results show that in the beginning of the twenty-first century in southeastern Europe there is a tendency of faster increase in the average August air temperatures compared to the increase in average July air temperatures. Thus, the temperature in August is already higher than that in July. The causes for these changes are changes in atmospheric circulation in summer. Over the last two decades, the transport of air masses from east and southeast has been strengthening, which for the Balkan Peninsula means a transport from water basins toward land. The intra-annual course of air temperature above a water basin, which has a maximum in August, is now becoming typical over land. This feature is not yet present in the entire studied region, but the trends from the measurements in meteorological stations show that very soon the temperatures in August could be higher than that in July over the entire territory of the Balkan Peninsula. On a more global scale, it is still unclear which mechanisms of atmospheric circulation influence the processes in southeastern Europe. Changes in ocean temperatures and atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic are likely to have an impact. However, other factors (e.g. the increase in global temperatures, the expansion of Hadley cell) may also have an impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is reply to the comment sent by Carlo Cauzzi and Ezio Faccioli related to the published article 'BSHAP project strong ground motion database and selection of suitable ground motion models for the Western Balkan Region' by Salic et al. (2016). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Harmonization of Seismic Hazard Maps in the Western Balkan Countries Project (BSHAP) was funded for 7 years by NATO Science for Peace and Security Program to support the preparation of new seismic hazard maps of the Western Balkan Region. In the framework of BSHAP, the regional free field strong motion network capacity was significantly increased by deployed recorders (Gülerce et al. in Final report of improvements in the Harmonized Seismic Hazard Maps for the Western Balkan Countries (BSHAP-2) Project, NATO SfP-984374. , 2015) and the BSHAP strong motion database that includes both pre-BSHAP (mostly analogue) and post-BSHAP (all digital) recordings was compiled. The BSHAP strong motion database includes uniformly processed strong motions along with the related earthquake metadata and station information; therefore, it provides a solid base for the ground motion characterization studies in the region. The established database is used for selection of the ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) to be employed in the probabilistic seismic hazard assessment by comparing the compiled strong ground motions with the predictions of candidate global and Euro-Mediterranean GMPEs in a systematic manner. Details of the selection strategy including the analysis of model predictions for ground motion scaling, data testing to evaluate the model performance, and ranking is provided here along with the GMPE logic tree used in the proposed seismic hazard maps by Kuka et al. (Bull Earthq Eng, under review). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on the article by R. Salic and colleagues, focusing on the Harmonization of Seismic Hazard Maps in the Western Balkan Countries Project (BSHAP) funded by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The author discusses that the project is a compilation of a strong ground-motion database and the selection of ground-motion models to be used for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) in the Western Balkan region.

The radiation status of the national park (NP) Djerdap (Eastern Serbia) is characterized using bioindicators (mosses). Mosses (16 species, 156 samples) were collected randomly within the area of NP Djerdap during the month of June, periodically from 2015 to 2019. Samples were collected in the regions of Dobra, Donji Milanovac, and Tekija. Within the mosses, the presence of 40 K and 137Cs is regarded as a good indicator of radionuclides present in the environment due to their easy interchangeability with 39 K highly present in living moss organisms. The activity concentrations of gamma ray–emmiting radionuclides in samples were determined using high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry, an HPGe-ORTEC/Ametek detector. The determining activity concentrations of 40 K and 137Cs in collected samples were as follows: for 40 K from 31.4 to 721 Bq kg−1and for 137Cs varied from 2.6 to 908 Bq kg−1. The average activity concentrations of 40 K and 137Cs (Bq kg−1) in mosses in the period 2015–2019 were the lowest in moss samples collected in the Dobra region, and the highest in the area of Donji Milanovac. The most prevalent collected moss species within the Djerdap National Park was Hypnum cupressiforme. The determined activity concentrations in H. cupressiforme of 137Cs for the whole region of NP Djerdap for all 5 years was 78.1 ± 70.3 Bq kg−1 and of 40 K was 181 ± 86.1 Bq kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleogene karst bauxites in the northeastern Transdanubian Range and their cover sequences provide valuable sedimentary archives, despite their weathered nature and vague paleontological records. U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology combined with heavy mineral analysis indicates 'local' Alpine aeolian and fluvial sources and 'distant' aeolian sources connected to the Bohemian Massif. Records of episodic Paleogene volcanic eruptions related to igneous complexes of the Adamello and probably also the Bergell, Recsk and Balkan Peninsula, are reflected by euhedral zircon crystals. Their U–Pb geochronology supplies age constraints for the phases of subaerial exposure of the karstic surface and the accumulation of bauxitic protoliths and helps to improve the existing stratigraphic records and to define stages of denudation in the northeastern Transdanubian Range. Distinct phases of subaerial exposure and accumulation of the bauxite's protoliths are identified as ca. 42, 35 and 31 Ma; alternating with episodes of subsidence, represented by siliciclastic and carbonatic sequences at ca. 38, 32 and 31 Ma. Besides Paleogene volcanism, zircon dating also revealed contributions from the Middle Triassic tuffs of the Transdanubian Range. Garnet, epidote, kyanite, staurolite, and xenotime/monazite crystals suggest fluvial drainage of diverse metamorphic units of the Austroalpine basement from the Eastern- and Southern Alps, which also supplied most of the pre-Mesozoic zircons. However, the unexpectedly high proportion of Variscan ages in the bauxites most likely relate to igneous rocks of the Bohemian Massif, thus suggesting additional long-distance aeolian sources. The new data allow for detailed reconstructions of the Paleogene evolution and palaeogeography of the northeastern Transdanubian range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Within Taraxacum section Erythrosperma, several relatively distinct species groups are recognized. One of them, characterized by leaves with numerous, usually patent, very narrow lateral segments, frequently with their most distal part dilated, and outer phyllaries patent or arcuate-recurved, often with tips approaching the involucre base, with narrow whitish borders, includes species similar to the Central European Taraxacum danubium. This group comprises nine species, the majority of them (five species) being confined to the Balkan Peninsula. Another diversity centre of the group is the southernmost Ukraine. The most widespread species is T. persicum, extending from Iran and the lower river Volga to Central Europe. A detailed taxonomic revision of the whole group is presented, and descriptions, illustrations and lists of specimens studied are given. Two Balkanic species are newly described, the name T. danubium is lectotypified, another three names are relegated to the synonymy of the accepted names, and an unclear name, T. pineticola, is discussed. The species concept in Taraxacum is briefly expounded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EU enlargement has always been a political process. That said, the rule of law is an important aspect and principle of the EU enlargement policy. Implementation of EU driven reforms in candidate countries largely depends on the rule of law-based enlargement as well as on a clear EU perspective. Overpoliticisation of the enlargement process renders the EU's enlargement law futile and undermines both the transformative effect of the pre-accession process and EU's own values. The implementation of the enlargement condition for settlement of bilateral disputes, which became pronounced in the EU enlargement towards the Western Balkan countries, is having the negative effect of contributing to deterioration rather than promotion of the rule of law in both EU candidate countries and the EU's enlargement process. Lack of predictability and rule of law accordingly, makes the effective application of the principle of conditionality impossible. A genuine reconsideration of the condition for settlement of bilateral disputes within the EU enlargement framework, clear EU perspective and viable way forward are urgently needed for bringing rule of law and the EU's credibility on track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in soil samples and plant tissues of Minuartia recurva and M. bulgarica, predominantly or exclusively calcifuge species. Biological concentration (BCs) and translocation factors (TFs) were used to evaluate their accumulation potential. Considerable differences were observed between M. recurva and M. bulgarica assessions in terms of accumulation strategies of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In M. recurva, most of the elements analyzed (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Co) were transported to the shoot, whereas in M. bulgarica, these elements remained predominantly in the roots. The Cu concentrations in the shoot samples of M. recurva from an abandoned iron-copper mine at Mt. Kopaonik were clearly above the notional hyperaccumulation threshold, characterizing this species as a possible Cu hyperaccumulator. Additionally, strong accumulation potential for Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cd was observed in M. recurva assessions, but without significant accumulation due to the low concentrations of these elements in the soils. The strong accumulation capacity and the different strategies in tolerance to PTEs indicate a potential of the two species for an application in phytoremediation: M. recurva for phytoextraction and M. bulgarica for phytostabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current context of continuous reassessment of the sustainability of the single currency and gradual enlargement of the euro area during the last decade, the objective of this research is to obtain new insights into the factors that determine the synchronisation of shocks in the Central and South-Eastern European countries vis-à-vis the euro area. The research contributes to the previous work by making a novel use of error correction model in a dynamic panel context which is extended by adding several important omitted variables related to the trade structure and policy coordination. We find that an increase in trade intensity, intra-industry trade and financial integration leads to less frequent asymmetric shocks. On the other hand, divergent fiscal policies are estimated in some model specifications to increase the shock divergence process, although the estimated impact is rather small to counteract the positive effects associated with trade and financial integration. The identified relationships in this research are affected by the significant trade and growth slowdown in the crisis period; while the global economic turmoil has boosted a demand shock convergence, its impact on the supply shocks is in the opposite (diverging) direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—Analysis of P- and S-receiver functions for 19 seismic stations on the Balkan Peninsula has been performed. Half of the stations are in Bulgaria. The crustal thickness varies from 28–30 to 50 km. The ratio of longitudinal and shear wave velocities in the upper crust reaches 2.0 in some places. In the southwest of the study area, the 410-km seismic boundary is uplifted by 10 km relative to nominal depth. The elevation may be caused by hydration and/or cooling of the mantle transition zone under the influence of the Hellenic subduction zone. A low S-wave velocity layer related to the 410-km boundary may be located atop this boundary. In the northwestern part of the study area this layer is present in spite of the absence of the 410-km boundary. A similar paradox has been previously noted in central Anatolia. Indications of a low-velocity layer are present at a depth exceeding 410 km. The simultaneous inversion of the receiver functions of the two types (P and S) and the Rayleigh wave phase velocities reveals a large (7–9%) decrease in the S-wave velocity in the upper mantle of southern Bulgaria and northern Greece. The thickness of the low-velocity layer (asthenosphere) is about 50 km. The lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is at depths of 40 to 60 km. In terms of tectonics, this zone is characterized as the South Balkan extension system. To the north of 43° N, the S-wave velocity in the upper mantle is usually at least 4.4 km/s and the LAB is not detected or is detected at a depth of over 80 km. The SKS analysis of azimuthal anisotropy reveals lateral zoning in the upper mantle that is correlated to velocity zoning. Probably, the mechanically weak low-velocity mantle of the South Balkan system is easily deformed, and the azimuth of the fast direction of anisotropy (20°) indicates the direction of extension. At the northern stations, the fast direction (about –30°) may be a reflection of an older process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the strategy for good governance in the East Central European (ECE) region in a comparative context of the Balkan and East European states. Types of second generation reforms; Dimensions of the ECE public sector reform and transformation; Contrast between the ECE, the Balkan and East European regions.

Presents an abstract of the paper `Demographic Shifts in the Balkans: Economic and Political Implications' by Milica Z. Bookman of Saint Joseph's University in Pennsylvania. Link between the size of an ethnic group and its economic and political power in the Balkans; Methods used by ethnic groups to manipulate demographic characteristics in their struggle for power.