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The present paper analyses achievements and challenges of the EaP in the prism of EURussia asymmetric energy interdependence, as the major factor affecting the successful implementation of the Eastern partnership. To identify whether energy interdependence is the main sphere of interest in the EaP neighbourhood, where EU-Russia common interests intersect in one point or is it a sharing a power balance in "common neighbourhood"?. The research paper reviews major policy documents of the ENP/EaP, in order to analyze to what extent is policy coherent/incoherent towards partner countries. Moreover, the paper evaluates the European neighbourhood external policy instruments (the ENP/EaP) from the perspective of three prioritised countries of the Eastern partnership: Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine, including the analysis of the effectiveness of proposed incentives under the ENP/EaP, as sufficient instruments for successful implementation of the Eastern partnership, in the presence of unpredictable external veto player. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies regarding the contribution of migration to development are limited to an isolated analysis of the economic effects of migration. But the migration process is in turn influenced by other processes. So a wider framework including migration and other processes of development would be more appropriate. The experience of South European and East Asian countries have shown us that, during development, countries can change their migration profile from emigration to immigration. The present paper shows the stages of the migration transition experienced by these countries trying to match them with Romania's experience. So, focusing on the case of Romania, this paper examines the evolution of international migration starting with 1990, in the context of the broader transition process, offering prospects regarding a possible migration transition in this case as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we have analysed a "special" period in the history of Romania's trade, namely the period when market economy was replaced by the state economy. It is the period preceding the transition. We analysed how Romania's exports and imports have evolved between 1945 and 1989, highlighting the events that influenced trade, and also what changes occurred in the structure of exports and imports by product groups and, not least, who were the main external partners of Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows that the dynamization of the traditional theory of international trade through the study of growth effects on the foreign trade in the framework of neoclassical analysis, alongside the approach with the Keynesian toolkit of the role of foreign trade as a factor of growth, have constituted the main aspects of the new theory of trade and economic growth. The "new theory" basically represents a set of theories and models of the type "growth-led export" or "export-led growth", which explain the complex role of foreign trade in the dynamic of development, the new segments of international trade, and also provides base for trade strategies for development. Their typology includes: "import-substitution strategy", "export-promotion strategy", and more recently "outward oriented strategy". In the context of regionalization and globalization of competition the author believes most appropriate the states' option for a "outward - oriented competitive development strategy". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relationship between well-being inequality and the economic crisis for countries from Central and Eastern Europe. Using data from Life in Transition Surveys waves 2006 and 2010, we assess the level of happiness gap by computing the instrument-effect-corrected standard deviation. Our results indicate that the dispersion in self-reported well-being levels increased after the economic crisis in all considered countries. We also show that the life satisfaction variation is not necessarily higher for those who report being poor compared to those from the upper part of the income hierarchy. Results also suggest that in general the gaps are higher in the case of those who report being not affected at all by the economic crisis compared to those who report being affected to a large extent by the crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to establish the future intervention priorities in building a new programme that would target the economic development in the research area. The used methodology included an adapted A'WOT analysis - an initial SWOT analysis and a prioritization of the items through an expert questionnaire. In the present paper we analyze the experts' opinions and the areas where intervention is needed for the optimum strategies for the 2014-2020 financial frame. These should rely on the strengths in the Guidelines for Applicants, the rules for projects implementation and the institutional system, it should consider changes on the weak points concerning the programme objectives, the Guidelines for Applicants and the beneficiaries consultations, it should make use of opportunities coming from the crossborder status, European Union frame and economic opportunities and overcome the differences coming from crossborder status, membership of two different supranational structures and the economic gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa was always a main interest region for European countries. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and many others at lesser extent, tried to establish control over the country due to its special geographical position. On the other hand, since 1948, South Africa had been characterized by a tremendous regime, the so-called apartheid. The idea of this paper is to clarify the position of certain European countries towards South Africa during this severe period for the latest and to outline the major development agreements between the EC/EU and South Africa after the fall of apartheid, since South Africa is an important trade partner for the Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic unification across Europe has been the main impetus for the European integration process and this rationale stood also behind the European Union (EU) approach towards its neighbourhood. Since the launch of the European Neighbourhood Policy (2004), the economic incentives have been the most effective instruments for generating structural change in the neighbourhood, taking into account the fact that EU membership has not been yet considered. Our research will aim at investigating the potential of the European Union to promote economic cooperation in its Eastern vicinity by seeking to include the Eastern Partnership states into a network that shares the same economic principles and values. Among these values, we argue that deep economic engagement through bilateral and multilateral frameworks of trade relations has played a major in enhancing the economic development of the six-Post Soviet states: Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ukraine and People's Republic of China (PRC) are cooperating in some areas like: machinery, transportation etc. China is interested in partnering with Ukraine for selling Chinese consumer goods. Ukraine is interested in selling raw materials to China. To study this possible cross-border cooperation and commercial relationship, the current paper uses the "intensity of interaction" (namely, the depth of integration) model, which is based upon the existing "gravity model ". The index for existing model has been obtained by adding a "dummy variable" in the standard "gravity model" which reflects the influence of regional nuances upon the level and direction of trade flow. The strategic partner relationship must be based on: "complementing" the economic structure of the partners, which means equality in the relationship and lack of significant disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context that consumption of white meat is increasingly recommended for a healthy diet, the study aims to highlight the main features of the performance in the manufacturing, processing and preserving sector of white meat in Romania. In this direction, the scientific approach was based both on a qualitative and the quantitative approach of the issues studied and the methods of analysis were descriptive and comparative. In order to better highlight the evolution of the performance in this sector was compared the national sector and the European one and the time frame for analysis is between the years 2008-2015, i.e. the period during the financial crisis and the after. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of genuine transformative power in the region was repeatedly distinguished as a major weakness of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) in Ukraine. However, the intensity and comprehensiveness of ongoing reform processes cause the need to revise the transformative power of the initiative in general and specific incentives in particular. Thus, the paper aims to assess the transformative power of the EU-Ukraine DCFTA, based on the evidence from the deregulation reform that represents an important prerequisite for the intensification of the EU-Ukraine economic relations. The study focuses on the general economic aspects of deregulation and combines ’black letter law’ approach with an empirical insight into the reform’s implementation. The results of the study show that the EU-Ukraine DCFTA holds significant transformative power with regard to the deregulation of Ukraine’s economy and invite for further reconsideration of the EaP incentives’ impact in target states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analysing the dimension of the underground economy in the EU states between 2003 and 2015. In order to achieve this goal, we use qualitative and quantitative methods. In the first two sections of the study we resort to conceptualisation and bring up to date scientific contributions in the field of the shadow economy both in terms of its definition and the methods of quantifying the phenomenon. In the third section, based on the results of the latest research, we identify the dynamics of the underground economy on three levels: the EU-15 (before and after 2005); the EU-10 (before and after the accession of 10 countries in 2005) and the EU-3 (before and after 2007). The main conclusion is that regardless of the reporting level (national, European, world), the real size of the underground economy remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unintelligibility of the social and economic phenomena is due to isolation from the various backgrounds that has driven and maintained them. The conspiratorial reasoning insists over those backgrounds and focuses on identifying the intentionality in the primary cause. Throughout history, global economic relations have been ordered by private goals, which often subordinated to the desire for wealth or power; the market and the natural order had been oppressed by the state interventionism and by the will of some political powerful groups. In this context, we believe that the conspiratorial reasoning can be an instrument of the economic analysis, by pointing the specific political and economic interests that rule over the apparent hazard of interests. This paper aims to illustrate the peculiarities of the conspiratorial reasoning, as an alternative, beneficial reasoning, which can guide us to the answers we need in a world of paradoxes and coincidences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general view that the banks' lending plays a crucial role in the real estate market was again confirmed during the recent financial crisis. During the pre-crisis period, house prices in Albania increased rapidly, supported also by a fast expansion of mortgage lending. This study aims to empirically analyse the relation between housing prices and banks' financing in the long run, referring to a VECM model. The estimated results confirm the important role of mortgage to house prices. Meanwhile, the relation between house prices and interest rates resulted statistically insignificant. Unlike the previous literature, exchange rate has been included as an endogenous variable. Results show positive correlation and statistical significance between house prices and exchange rate. Finally, this paper is expected to contribute to the literature as there are very few studies that elaborate on the macroeconomic factors' influence on the housing prices in Albania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global economy plays an important role in the development of a region or a county/district as it promotes the exploitation of resources and space in a logical and rational manner. The trend of global economic uniformity allows opportunities and risks to Botoșani County since globalization involves economic development and rising living standards, but loss of cultural values, traditions and customs. The area of study currently confronts with socio-economic and demographic changes that may be addressed by globalization, but at the same time spatial development according to global standards will cause the loss of Botoșani County's authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite of its reduced population number and small area, the Netherlands is one of the top countries in terms of trade and FDI. The aim of this article is to present its trade, FDI flows and to highlight some of the advantages that the country has in the mentioned fields. Even though it was hit by the economic crisis, the state recovered fast and, since 2009, maintained a positive trend to its foreign trade and FDI. Moreover, because it has a stable economic environment and a professional labour force, foreign investors are eager to start investing in businesses in this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crystal clear that the neoclassical economical theory, despite being probably the best growth model ever invented by man, tickled a cost of environmental degradation which can threaten our wealth and even our existence. For this reason, the concept of sustainable development (SD) is so empathic, being considered probably the best theoretical alternative invented by man to standard growth, because of its vision of a better world, where economics, society and environment are intimately linked. Thus, all human activities have to adapt to this new paradigm, in order to achieve its goals. From the economical perspective, production, consumption and trade must incorporate a kind of sustainable type of activity. In the recent years, growing demands in energy use and the increase of oil and coal prices, have led to the usage of new energy sources such as biomass, water, solar, wind and geothermal energy. This is why we propose in this paper to present an overview of international trade in biomass reported to the philosophy of SD. In short, we want to give an answer at two questions: how much is biomass trade sustainable and what risks may arise if the main source of energy used today, based on fossil fuels, will be totally substitute by biomass? To be sustainable, biomass, must meet certain criteria, such as: to possess a high capacity for regeneration, in a relatively short time; to offer a better efficiency compared with the traditional fossil fuel sources; to be less or non-polluting, to be used in solid, liquid and gaseous form; to have a broad applicability in production and consumption; to have a competitive level in terms of costs and prices for transport or storage, in both stages, as a raw material or as a finished product; to be a good substitute of traditional fuels (gasoline or diesel), without the necessity for structural changes of the of the engine. The article will conclude that the uprising trend of the EU biomass trade and consumption will continue, because of grown concerns of the EU Member States regarding the effects that greenhouse gas emissions have over the environment and over the quality of life standard, despite the critics which states that biomass production may have negative environmental effects, leading to massive deforestation and destruction of soil, water sources and natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is devoted to the impact of the Eastern Partnership on agricultural production of the member states. ENPARD basic parameters are examined. The results of agricultural development of the states participating in ENPARD and states preparing to join the project was monitored. The Eastern partnership is based on a deep and comprehensive free trade area (DCFTA), economic integration and convergence with EU policies, energy security, human contacts etc. The absolute and relative indicators of agricultural development of the Eastern Partnership countries are analysed. The general and individual problems of the countries are studied. The analysis showed an unequal economic potential for agricultural development. It was noted that the strategic partnership involves interstate cooperation to achieve mutually beneficial internal and external goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Income inequality has become an important issue in Central and Eastern European countries during their transition process. This study constructs a model incorporating different categories of factors that impact inequality and tests whether the wealth of a country makes a difference in these relationships. This article shows that different income categories of Central and Eastern European transition countries do experience different relationships between income inequality and its contributing factors: economic, demographic, political, and cultural and environmental. The resulting Random Effects models of the best fit incorporate economic and political factors and show differences in magnitude, direction, and in their significance. These findings add to the literature by taking a cross-country and cross-income view on the impact of various factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent changes in the security environment of Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus have been reshaping the strategies of the six small countries in the proximity of both the EU and Russia. Their attempts to take upon themselves their Soviet heritage and their sensitive geographical position were reflected by a mix of East-West orientations. Some of them chose to create stronger economic bonds with the EU members while others decided to anticipate Russian discontent in separatist areas they shelter and became members of the EEU. Regardless of their option, the Eastern Partnership members embarked? on a long road of political, social and economic changes, so that their stability and growth would become pillars of a stronger role on the regional and international arena in the future. The EU, in turn, has been supporting its partners to the East according to their level of commitment to reform and approximation, although the economic benefits of this relation are imperceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to identify the most important reasons that drive young Romanian Internet users to buy or to avoid buying from the Internet and to investigate the differences in the reasoning between two groups of Internet users. The most important reasons to buy from the Internet, as selected by the buyers group, are aspects concerning physical and financial gains: “comfort ability” and “time saving” (easiness to place an order – physical gain) on one hand, and “advantageous price” (financial gains) on the other hand. By far, the most important reason to avoid Internet shopping, for both analysed groups was the “impossibility to touch and test the product”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human societies are evolving in sequences similar to a business cycle. The cause for which the evolution is accompanied by setbacks lies in the complexity of social systems, which, ab initio, cannot be designed or intended by any human mind, and the irrationality arising from limited rationality of economic actors. Therefore, the time shows similarities, but rarely identities. Rather, we can talk about chronological series of similitudes, of repeatable errors and adjustable patterns. Using qualitative research and the introspective analysis, we explore the pattern which the Romanian economy followed under the sign of global crisis. We found that Romania's economy doesn't have a problem with its path but with the way in which it follows the trend ideologically and historically. Also, we found out that the end of the crisis is not just following an ordinary path, but represents the chance for the economy to be re-equipped with weapons of competitiveness and honour in order to leave the current era of nihilism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union, in light of developments in the field of crisis-management concepts, is still in the phase of institutional building and foundation of its own concepts and doctrines. This does not mean that the EU has taken important steps towards the creation of a doctrine based on a crystallized concept of crisis management. It should be noted at this point that since 2004 the EU has defined a comprehensive approach to crisis management. However, although conceptually placed one step ahead of NATO's comprehensive approach, operational in concept, its actual implementation has proved to be a slow and difficult process for the EU because the EU does not have a military component of its own, being much more focused on the civilian crisis management component as part of its comprehensive approach and on the idea of cooperative security, where the EU has managed to become a major player in the area of strategic interest on the global scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is not wrong said that monasteries and churches were one of the elements that led to the development of human settlements in Iasi, especially the city of Iasi. Most churches/monasteries from the feudal period, received from princes / noblemen vast areas of land in order to develop economically, so buildings can survive in time, but also the administrators. Gradually, this lands got to be populated by those who worked and eventually they built houses to live closer to the land they worked on. Subsequently, these small settlements led to the formation of rural settlements and with time they gained an urban character. Today, we have reached the stage where these religious buildings have grown importance in the development of tourism, attracting tourists from around the country and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]