Return Dynamics in Bosnia1 and Croatia: A Comparative Analysis

<p>This thesis focuses on the role of an international actor - United Nations (UN) - and its missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMBiH) during 1992-1995 and Kosovo (UNMIK) in the post war conflict period of peace building. It scrutinizes the tenor of UN peace building missions in these territories by analysing the scope of the policies introduced and the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of the international actors' activities during the times of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) before the conflict in Kosovo and Metohija (KiM); and the current situation in these two territories. The thesis will also argue that the ethnic identities played a critical role in relation building between the UN and ethnic groups, where the one ethnic group (Serbs) was recognised as a crucial factor for the conflict's escalation and development. A further focus in this thesis is not only to provide constructive discussion of the ineffectiveness of policies and missions introduced by International Actors (IA) but also to challenge the UN and IA's decision for non-intervention in BiH and to address the consequence of subsequent humanitarian-military intervention in KiM. This paper outlines an analysis of the lack of literature relating to the historical-sociological perspective of the ethnic groups' in BiH. The lack of understanding of the complex relationships among the ethnicities is an additional gap. This is exacerbated by the lack of understanding of the complex relationships among the ethnicities, within itself, as well as the differences among the groups within each ethnic group. It appears that the literature is unable to acknowledge the structural formation of societies in BiH, and to make proper segmentation in understanding the particular group of people (Rex, 2001) as a collection of peoples with different sociological characteristics combined into something called 'ethnicity'. The handicap of such literature leads to the categorisation and generalisation of ethnicities; not at one particular area of an ethnic group's presence but to the generalisation of the peoples' ethnicities (all Serbs are barbarous, similar to the Germans after WWII). This paper argues that such generalisations developed the notion that the particular ethnic group (Serbs) has an 'evil' character, regardless of the territorial occupation (Bosnia as well as Serbia and Diaspora). In addition, the lack of recognising Serbs as a people composed of different individual (local) ethnic groups led to the global generalisation about Serbs. And yet, such generalisations, by the modern western actors, i.e. UN, EU (European Union) and USA (United States of America), led to the employment of negative assumptions about the Serbs which served as a tool for, and added impetus to, the implementation of a strategy to achieve the Western objectives of the devaluation of Serbian dominance in Bosnia and across the Balkan Peninsula. Therefore the quality of literature, in addressing the questions about the conflict in BiH and later KiM, beside its attempts to offer some sustainable answers, remains inadequate and poor. This unsubstantiated position, offered by many involved in former-Yugoslavian conflict discussions, to offer an informed conclusion, persists as a never-ending debate. Yet, the discourse about the guilty factor in BiH and KiM remains in the shape of the 'evil' Serbian nation.</p>

Spriječiti povratak: Provođenje Aneksa VII Dejtonskog sporazuma za mir u Bosni i Hercegovini (1995-2020)

Following the signing of the peace agreement in Paris in December 1995 to end the war in Bosnia, Sarajevo simultaneously experienced a transition from war to peace and from socialism to capitalism. This double transition was marked by an increasing intervention from the international community, which deployed an administration in Bosnia and Herzegovina to oversee the implementation of the peace accord. Even though no specific local peacebuilding mission was established in the Bosnian capital, the OHR became particularly involved in policies shaping its urban transformation. This chapter addresses socialist and post-socialist cities to frame analyses conducted on Sarajevo’s urban spatial restructuring. Secondly, the production and reproduction of ethno-territorialities is considered in order to analyse the division of Sarajevo’s urban area and its consequences. Finally, international intervention in post-war contexts is explored through the characterisation of peacebuilding missions and political institutions in ethnically divided societies, which will allow an assessment of the OHR intervention and the struggle between local and international actors during the post-war period.

Based on research in the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) archives in Geneva, this article aims to reflect, through an examination of UNHCR’s huge operation during the Bosnian war, on the major role played by the crisis paradigm in conflict management and related population movements, and on the construction and conceptualization over time of long-term forms of migration management. It analyses how the notion of “preventive protection” which emerges in the early 1990s illustrates a shift in the asylum regime, which concerns altogether the categories of its beneficiaries, the spaces, and the very nature of its application. The focus on humanitarian operations taking place as close as possible to the areas from which refugees are coming is at the origin of new patterns of emergency management which intend to contain and eventually hinder massive refugee flows and migration. This new approach of refugees flow was experimented during the Bosnian war; the UNHCR reflected on this experience and its learnings to build up long-term strategies for managing migration in a context of increased States’ hostility to the permanent welcoming of refugees. The continuity between wartime and peacetime for experimenting and enforcing new modes of migration management is emphasized, in order to show that the importance of the crisis paradigm symbolized by open conflicts and wars is thereafter used as a tool to manage migration flows in ordinary times.

Subject. Today, the involvement of Russian regions in the world economy is becoming more and more important. Additionally, international economic relations of the regions have their own specific features determined by the level of the social and economic development of the region, its production capacities, infrastructure, the support of authorities and a number of other factors which need to be taken into account when developing the corresponding policies. Objectives. To classify Russian regions into groups with a similar level of development of various types of international economic activities and to identify their specific features. Methods. The following research methods were used to achieve the goal: a cluster analysis was used to group regions into virtual clusters; a comparative analysis was used to identify regions representing the specific features of the development of the relevant clusters; a correlation-regression analysis was used to detect and predict the dynamics of parameters of international economic activities of Russian regions. Results. As a result of processing original statistical data for 2018 for nine indicators, 81 Russian regions were grouped into five virtual clusters. The clusters were ranked according to the sums of standardised values of indices reflecting the level of development of international economic relations. The specific features of international economic activities of the clusters, their strengths and weaknesses, and representative regions were determined. Conclusions. It was found that Russian regions are strongly differentiated according to the level of the development of international economic relations. Since regions are focused on separate areas of international economic activity, it was possible to form 5 uniform virtual clusters. Cluster A (comprised of 3 regions) is focused on the international technology-based production with contributions from foreign funds. Its products are sold in the CIS countries and oversees. The most developed area of economic activity of cluster B (10 regions) is exports to the CIS countries. Cluster C (4 regions) is characterised by the extremely unbalanced development of the studied parameters. Its strengths include exports to foreign countries and the inflow of direct foreign investments. Among the relatively developed areas of international economic activities of cluster D are exports of goods abroad and imports of technologies and technical services. Cluster E (43 regions) is an outsider and does not have a pronounced focus on international economic activities. The weakest position for all five clusters is exports of technologies and technical services abroad.

This contribution deals with the concept of financial autonomy of the local self-governments in the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Serbia. The main aim of this contribution is to confirm or disprove the hypothesis that in the abovementioned countries current legal system is in line with the financial autonomy requirements stipulated by the European Charter of Local Self-Governments. The research is conducted by applying basic methods of legal science, especially the method of scientific analysis. First, it provides a brief overview of the Charter’s role, constitutional background of Serbia and Poland. Second, it present the regulation on local taxation in the abovementioned countries and its place within the local budgets. Third, it confronts the results of previous analysis with the requirements of the Charter. The authors argue, that in both countries, the requirements of the Charter are only partially met.

The subject of this paper is the research of socio-economic characteristics of adult perpetrators of criminal offences in the Republic of Serbia. The following characteristics of marital status, education, employment status, occupation and nationality. The aim of the paper was to examine the social and economic status of perpetrators and to show that this status is more unfavourable if compared with the total population. The data of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia for 2016 in the field of the Judiciary statistics were used in the research. The research included the criminal offences with the largest share in the structure of criminal offences: offences against property, offences against economy, offences against life and limb, offences against marriage and family, as well as offences against public peace and order. The educational structure of perpetrators has been analysed, their employment status and the structure per occupations and the comparative analysis has been made with the corresponding indicators for the total population. The results of the analysis have shown that the educational structure of perpetrators is more unfavourable and the unemployment rate four times higher than the unemployment rate of the total population. In the structure of occupations of perpetrators, the predominant professions include those with low wages for which lower degree of education is required. The economic and social status of female perpetrators is particularly unfavourable. The results reveal low social and economic status of perpetrators of criminal offences and suggest the significance of economic causes of crime in the Republic of Serbia.

Large-scale refugee movements clearly pose a threat to human, state, and societal security. Balancing the different levels of security threats is difficult. The case of the Afghan refugees is interesting, as (forced) migration was not linked to security until years after the initial displacement, and during a time when refugee numbers were not at their peak. Furthermore, countries with smaller numbers of refugees felt more threatened than those bearing the bulk. This article sets out to explore this interesting security puzzle, trying to answer the question whether the South Asian security dilemma can be linked to migration and displacement in the region, or other factors. The article concludes that a security-migration linkage seems to be based more on the duration than the size of displacement. Furthermore, policies by regional and international actors toward Afghan refugees contributed to the development of refugee warrior communities linked to state and international security concerns. Finally, power politics and geo-strategic as well as economic interests also contributed to the security dilemma. All these factors need to be considered in future refugee assistance in order to assume that human security is not sacrificed for that of states, and that the victims (refugees) are not the only ones held responsible.

The Russian Federation and the Republic of Serbia have experienced internal challenges to their own unity and coherence for a long time. This work represents the analysis of these challenges, which can be defined, geopolitically speaking, as “hotspots”. Relying on the observations of Russian political scientists, the author of this work analyzed the so-called “crisis potential” in four “hotspots” in the Russian Federation. In the Republic of Serbia, five areas are marked that emit instability and jeopardise (or can jeopardise) its unity, peace and prosperity. Certain similarities are found between the compared “hotspots”, and differences as well. The region of North Caucasus is marked as the most dangerous “hotspot” in the Russian Federation, which has not been completely solved yet by the Russian federal authorities, due to the constant terrorist attacks. The purpose of the attacks is to extort from Russia the withdrawal from the area and create conditions for the political independence. The author found a geopolitical analogy to the North Caucasus “hotspot” (Chechnya) in the Republic of Serbia on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. In the conclusion, it is stated that, at present, disparate geopolitical processes are taking place in the two countries - the Federal Centre is strengthening in the Russian Federation and the Federal Subjects are losing their attributes of statehood, whereas in the Republic of Serbia, the centrifugal tendencies are gaining prominence that can completely fragment it.

Conflict Management and Peacebuilding: Examining the Interface between Local and International Approaches

The harmonization of financial reporting standards at the international level is of exceptional importance for numerous users of financial statements in the context of business globalization. Full International Financial Reporting Standards and the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities are widely adopted and serve as the foundation for financial reporting by reporting entities in a large number of countries worldwide. The objective of this research is to identify the similarities and differences in the application of full IFRS and IFRS for SMEs in the Republic of Serbia and selected neighboring countries, as well as to determine the conditions for their implementation. The observed neighboring countries include Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically its two entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Montenegro, the Republic of Croatia, and the Republic of Bulgaria. A comparative analysis of financial reporting standards applied in the Republic of Serbia and those used in neighboring countries provides insight into the degree of alignment of their financial reporting frameworks. Using a qualitative research methodology, the study finds that differences exist in the application of full IFRS and IFRS for SMEs between the Republic of Serbia and its neighboring countries. These differences primarily pertain to the categories of enterprises required to apply full IFRS and IFRS for SMEs, with variations observed between Serbia and the surrounding countries.

Introduction. The development of Ukraine’s transport sector, in particular auto carriage of cargoes, is a necessary prerequisite for strengthening its competitive position in foreign, especially European, markets. Finding ways to solve the problems of domestic enterprises providing freight transportation services, generated by factors of internal and external environment, in the context of European integration is of particular relevance. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study the conditions of international economic activity of domestic haulage carriers in the European markets and to identify opportunities to strengthen their competitive position and remove technical barriers.Methods. The research was carried out by using such methods as: analysis and synthesis to identify problems of functioning the domestic transportation system and to formulate the concept of its strengthening; comparative analysis, including elements of the methodology for determining the Logistics Efficiency Index, and to study the logistics industry in Ukraine and identify technical barriers to European integration in the industry; tabular and visual methods for visual presentation of material. Results. The article identifies trends in the development of transport services in the EU and Ukraine and highlights the problems of the domestic freight transportation industry. It is stated that despite favorable conditions, in particular geopolitical, the potential of the transport sector of Ukraine in foreign markets is not fully used. The existing regulatory framework for the implementation of international freight auto transport is characterized, and its formal sufficiency is ascertained. Based on the analysis of the Logistics Efficiency Index, a comparison of the level of logistics development in Ukraine and its main partners in road freight transport has been made. It is found that by all index indicators, Ukraine ranks lower than partner countries. Based on the determination of the competitive position of domestic enterprises in the European markets for transport services, the main problems and weaknesses were identified, namely imperfect customs work, poor infrastructure, corruption of officials, some gaps in the regulatory framework, etc. Particular attention was paid to the technical barriers to the implementation in the European markets of freight transport services by domestic enterprises and a system of measures for their elimination was proposed, including improvement of the system of obtaining permits, solving personnel problems, modernization, including digitalization of the industry, etc.Discussion. To intensify and increase the efficiency of the international economic activity of Ukrainian freight carriers and integrate the domestic logistics system into the European one, Ukraine needs to rely not only on its own resources but also to attract international economic assistance, both bilateral and multilateral. The technical assistance will provide the solution to the personnel problem and help to modernize the industry, adapting them to the European requirements.

The purpose of this paper is the comparative analysis of traditional education and e-learning by the application of key performance indicators. The general objective of the study is to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of traditional education and e-learning through the analysis and comparison of these two forms of education by applying defined key performance indicators. The research was carried out in 15 gymnasiums and vocational high schools in the Republic of Serbia, with a sample of 11.204 students (the school year 2018–19) and 11.251 students (the school year 2019–20). The results of the research and conducted comparative analysis presented in this paper indicate that e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has significant advantages over traditional education, such as a reduction in the percentage of students who were sent to the make-up exam and who did not complete the school year, a reduction of the number of imposed disciplinary measures and absences from classes per student at the end of the school year and an increasing percentage of excellent students at the school level at the end of the school year. Based on the results, recommendations for improving the education process by implementing e-learning in developing countries are proposed. This paper presents a valuable resource for educators and scholars in defining the elements that can improve student learning outcomes, motivation and satisfaction levels.

The focus of the paper is liquidity analysis, which is an essential tool of the corporate financial management process. Converting assets, especially working capital, into cash is the primary way for a company to obtain the resources it needs to pay its current liabilities. The aim of the research is to look at the movement of current, quick and cash liquidity indicators, their comparative analysis, as well as differences in the level of liquidity for the period 2011-2020 on the example of certain oil companies in the Republic of Serbia. Ratio analysis based on their official financial statements was used to measure the liquidity of selected companies (NIS, OMV and LUKOIL), while the one-way ANOVA test was used to test hypotheses. The research results show that there is a statistically significant difference in the level of current liquidity between NIS and LUKOIL and OMV and LUKOIL, while there is no significant difference between NIS and OMV. There is a statistically significant difference in terms of quick ratios between NIS and LUKOIL, while there is no significant difference between NIS and OMV and OMV and LUKOIL. Observing the cash liquidity indicator, there is no significant difference between these indicators in the companies that are the subject of the research.

This paper focuses on the state of wastewater treatment systems in Southeastern Serbia, specifically within the municipalities and cities of the Nišava, Toplica, Pirot, Jablanica and Pčinja districts. It provides a comprehensive overview of wastewater treatment systems in Europe and globally, offering a comparative perspective on Serbia's current status. This study conducts research and a comparative analysis using an indicator to monitor the state of wastewater treatment in the Republic of Serbia, across regions, and in cities and municipalities of Southeast Serbia, based on the most recent available data. Key results and findings are presented, followed by conclusions derived from the analysis, aiming to contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in improving wastewater treatment systems in Southeastern Serbia.