Eastern European Journal of Regional Studies
ISSN: 2537-6179 | e-ISSN: 1857-436X
Volume 6 | Issue 1 | JUNE 2020

The Europeanization of Moldova’s direct democracy: assessing the new tools for citizen engagement in policymaking

Author: Georgiana CICEO

Abstract: This article zooms in on citizens’ participation in the decision-making process opened in recent years in the framework of EU-Moldova institutional relations in order to evaluate the extent to which it contributed to the strengthening of the structures of democratic governance in the Republic of Moldova. The present contribution moves away from the traditional top-down approach on how the EU supports democratization processes in neighboring countries through the transfer of norms on democratic governance and aims to provide an upward perspective on how the newly developed mechanisms of citizen participation strengthen the democratic structures in the particular case of the Republic of Moldova. This article does not intend to question the normative power of the European Union, but starts from the observation that although the EU possesses neither the military muscle, nor the political clout, it has nevertheless the capacity to influence norms and ideas on what could be considered an appropriate behavior in the relations between states. The main concern of this article will therefore be to address the challenges posed by the design of European norms and values in the context of the utterly complex situation existing in its Eastern neighborhood.

Keywords: Republic of Moldova, European Union, Eastern Partnership, European Neighborhood Policy, external governance, citizen participation.

JEL Code: F55, H77, H83

Pages: 4-23 | Full text (PDF)


The relationship between the European Union's economic power status and the economic convergence of the Member States

Authors: Tudor Mugurel AURSULESEI, Ștefan Cătălin TOPLICEANU, Liviu-George MAHA

Abstract: In this paper, we set out to look at where the European Union is located globally from an economic point of view. Let us observe what are the indicators that characterize European Union as a global economic power, at the same time, what are the indicators where union have problems. We consider it appropriate to observe whether the European Union's top-level indigenous people are internally influenced by the lack of convergence between the member states of the Union. All the Member States of the European Union have committed themselves to convergence, but over time we have noticed that convergence is often abandoned to the detriment of national interests. In the first part, we intend to observe the areas in which the European Union reflects the status of world economic power, using The World Bank`s indicators from 2013-2017. In the second part, we focused on an analysis of the following indicators, which determine a European Union deficit at the global level: GDP growth, unemployment rate and inflation rate. Finally, we propose to conclude if, for the three indicators, there is a correlation between the economic convergence between the European Union states and its world economic status.

Keywords: European Union; economic power; convergence; inflation rate.

JEL Code: E42; E52; E58; F02; F33; F45; F50; O50; O57

Pages: 24-43 | Full text (PDF)


Structure - Agency Problem in Foreign Policy Analysis of Post-Soviet States: The Cases of Armenia and Ukraine

Author: Aram TERZYAN

Abstract: This article explores the agency-structure problem in foreign policy analysis of former Soviet Union states, by examining the cases of Ukraine and Armenia. It applies a holistic model of foreign policy analysis that considers its structural, dispositional, and intentional dimensions and outlines a more dynamic structure- agency interplay. While the ideational incentives have been the core rationale behind Ukraine’s and Armenia’s drive towards Europe, the structural constraints, along with arbitrary decisions of the authoritarian incumbents would considerably obstruct countries’ rapprochement with Europe. Thus, as the article concludes, along with structural constraints, stemming from Russian resistance to Europeanization, agency-level factors, such as the preferences and perceptions of Armenian and Ukrainian presidents have been critical to shaping countries’ foreign policy outputs.

Keywords: structure, agency, European choice, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia.

JEL Code: F50

Pages: 44-68 | Full text (PDF)


The Security Issues in the 2008 Russian-Georgian War

Author: Nicoleta MIRZA

Abstract: The article aims to establish the security issues present in the 2008 Georgian conflict, and explore the securitization process by the Russian Federation, Georgia, and other involved parties. The allegations made by the parties to the conflict created more political and security instability. In this way, the security dilemma is addressed in relation to Georgia and Russia, and NATO and Russia. Furthermore, attention is also drawn to the intensity and type of the Russian-Georgian war. The regional conflict has sparked the attention of the international community. Therefore, the research paper provides an assessment of the tools of dispute settlement used by the international community. Considering the in type and intensity of the conflict, the paper identifies various crimes committed by each party to the conflict by also engaging legal arguments. The paper employs a qualitative study analysis by applying security theories to the case of the 2008 Russian-Georgian war. Consequently, the article identifies possible key element of the securitization process during the conflict.

Keywords: Russian Federation, Georgia, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Securitization, Security dilemma.

JEL Code: K33, K42, F51, F53

Pages: 69-86 | Full text (PDF)


Some Notes on the Geopolitics and Geo-economics of Russia’s Post-Soviet Neocolonialism in Central Asia

Author: Ioan Alexandru GHERASIM

Abstract: The subject of “colonialism”, which is linked to a rather long stage in the evolution of civilization, continues to arouse the interest of various theorists and historians in the field of international relations, all the more that the concept has become enriched with the neo- and post- prefixes. As for the these novel varieties, it is said that at the end of the Second World War, as a result of the radical change in the global balance of power, the former metropolises – such as the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Belgium –, have left their place to dissimulated, disguised colonial actors – such as the United States of America and the Soviet Union –, the latter being continued, in intricated manners, by its post-Cold-War heir, the Russian Federation. In this paper, I attempt to explain the extent to which the characteristics of Russia’s current international relations with the former members of the Soviet Union, which have gained their independence, but live since then under constant Russian pressure, can be framed in the logic of colonial habits. Emphasis is on the Central Asia region, a place that has been the object of geopolitical/geo-economic disputes between several great powers, one of them being the ex-Soviet-imperial tutor, Russia. In order to obtain a portrayal of the Russian colonial-type behaviours, arguments of economic, political, technological or cultural substance are being provided, linking canonical scientific debates of colonialism to contextual ties among the involved stakeholders.

Keywords: geopolitics; geo-economics; colonialism; imperialism; neocolonialism; societal challenges.

JEL Code: A13; C12; C43; C55; E47

Pages: 87-101 | Full text (PDF)


Features of intellectual property reflection in accounting and in financial statements

Author: Liudmila LAPIȚKAIA, Alexandru LEAHOVCENCO

Abstract: Intellectual property is a powerful tool that helps the company feel confident in a competitive environment, attract investment, expand sales markets, thereby improving its financial position. The correct reflection of intellectual property in the accounting is of great importance for the correct disclosure of information in the financial statements of the enterprise. From an accounting point of view, intellectual property can be reflected in different ways. There are certain difficulties and discussions regarding the correctness of the reflection of intellectual property in the accounting. In this article, the authors reveal controversial issues in the field of intellectual property accounting and suggest ways to solve them. This article also indicates ways to improve the accounting of intellectual property in the Republic of Moldova.

Keywords: accounting, intellectual property, financial reporting.

JEL Code: M40, M41, M48, O34

Pages: 102-112 | Full text (PDF)


The Confusion – A Perfect Interference Between Competition and Industrial Property

Author: Violeta COJOCARU, Iulian MORARU

Abstract: Industrial property and competition are indissoluble in terms of the legal manner in which the unfair competition act of confusion is committed. The regulation of confusion within the competition legislation of the Republic of Moldova (Law no. 183/2012 on Competition) is in an explicit connection relationship with industrial property, given the fact that the trademarks, industrial designs and other industrial property objects are protected through the provisions of the Law no. 183/2012 on Competition as well. Thus, there is a double protection of industrial property objects: through the rules of industrial property and, at the same time, through those of unfair competition. In the same context, it is important to specify that under competition law are protected even industrial property objects that are not protected under industrial property division law. At the same time, in order to benefit from effective legal protection in accordance with the rules of unfair competition, there is a stringent need for a complex and effective bilateral evidentiary process. In order to validate the theoretical aspects stated above, the practice of the national competition authority of the Republic of Moldova (Competition Council) is essential.

Keywords: object, unfair competition, industrial property, confusion, protection.

JEL Code: K29

Pages: 113-136 | Full text (PDF)


EU Provisions: Health & Consumer Protection in terms of Intellectual Property Rights

Author: Olesea PLOTNIC, Elena CIOCHINA

Abstract: The safety and health of European patients and consumers are subject to double protection: in national law, first and foremost in the EU European secondary legislation (regulations, directives and decisions), in a complementary or subsidiary manner, as appropriate. consumer protection is very broad to defend their economic interests, their physical security is the subject of a general directive and several specific directives, consumer protection policy took off at European level about twenty years ago. The main objective of the article is to investigate the legal provisions of comparative law on consumer protection as beneficiaries of medical services and to establish the direct link of the right to health with consumer protection and intellectual property law, respectively.

Keywords: health, protection, consumer, security, intellectual property.

JEL Code: K32

Pages: 137-149 | Full text (PDF)