Contemporary Europe, 2016 (vol. 2016), issue 2

Articles

Role OBSE při pokusu o deeskalaci války na Ukrajině

The Role of the OSCE in Deescalation of the War in Ukraine

Zbyněk Dubský, Radka Havlová

Současná Evropa 2016, 2016(2):4-23  

The OSCE became quite unexpectedly a natural platform for resolution of the crisis in Ukraine. The text identifies and discusses the individual tools and mechanisms used by the OSCE in conflict resolution in general, and applies these general findings to the role of the OSCE in the contemporary crisis in Ukraine. The OSCE played the role of a crisis manager and simultaneously acted as a forum and actor of political settlement of the crisis, being able to act as an umbrella organization for activities of the international community in Ukraine. The organization is able to intervene also in case of an already existing violent conflict provided that the...

Nerovnováhy v platebním systému TARGET2 - vznik, příčiny a řešení

Imbalances in payment system TARGET2 - background, reasons and solutions

Pavel Knotek

Současná Evropa 2016, 2016(2):24-37  

We observe increase in TARGET2 balances of certain central banks in European Monetary Union (EMU) after 2008, especially in case of central banks from Germany and eurozone's south wing countries. The aim of this article is to explain the problem of TARGET2 imbalances, describe creation of TARGET2 position, their determinants and to provide proposals of possible solutions using basic literature regarding the topic. There are few approaches for explaining, what are the main drivers of TARGET2 imbalances. The current account balances have been balanced by corresponding movements on financial accounts until 2008, therefore no significant positions in TARGET2...

Consultations

Aktivity slovenských mimovládnych organizácií v prospech utečencov a imigrantov počas európskej migračnej krízy

Activities of Slovak non-governmental organisations assisting refugees and immigrants during the European migration crisis

Martina Bolečeková

Současná Evropa 2016, 2016(2):38-51  

In connection with the current migration crisis in the European Union little attention is devoted to numerous activities of non-governmental organisations supporting migrants and refugees. Based on secondary and primary qualitative research, the paper tries to fill this gap and presents activities of Slovak NGOs in the area of migration focusing on their reactions to the migration crisis. In the first part, the migration situation in Slovakia is briefly analysed, with the stress on the impacts of the migration crisis. Second part presents the findings of semi-structured qualitative interviews with representatives of Slovak NGOs. The humanitarian situation...

Nová evropská krajní pravice: Návrat a znovuoživení krajní pravice v soudobé Evropě

The new European far-right: The return and revival of the far-right in contemporary Europe

Miloš Dlouhý

Současná Evropa 2016, 2016(2):52-67  

The text deals with the current trend of the European far right, where tides of the so-called new far right are re-emerging, which have their roots in the 60s. The research is focused on the ideology, tactics and long-term strategy of the European far right movement. The author also compares and confronts the formal and informal framework of this European movement. The research also includes the two-year monitoring of selected political entities, which was carried out as field research directly in Italy and the Czech Republic. The full text is based on in-depth interviews with activists, the method of participant observation and a qualitative analysis...

Evropské sousedství jako prostor demokracie a stability?

European neighborhood as an area of democracy and stability?

Luděk Fráně

Současná Evropa 2016, 2016(2):68-90  

The EU in its relations with neighboring countries participating in the European Neighbourhood Policy aims to build between themselves and the neighborhood an area of stability, prosperity and security, and these relations should be designed on the principle of shared values, in particular democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The article tries to analyze the situation of the European Neighbourhood region in terms of democracy and political stability for the time spent Neighbourhood Policy. The aim is to analyze the current situation and longer-term development of democracy and stability in the neighborhood region through selected aggregated...

Německá zahraničně-bezpečnostní politika, vývoj a změny v kontextu vzniku Islámského státu

German foreign-security policy, development and changes in the context of the Islamic State

Ondřej Sankot

Současná Evropa 2016, 2016(2):91-108  

This article describes foreign and security policy of Germany, its development and reaction on the formation of the terrorist organization Islamic State. Despite the fact, that Germany strongly rejects usage of force in solution of international conflicts, the Islamic State was unlike other threats to international peace evaluated as a dedicated enemy, where diplomatic solution represents no viable option. Germany contributes to the fight against the IS with arms deliveries to the Kurdish Peshmerga units and with soldiers and military equipment provided for auxiliary tasks related to the fight against the IS. Participation on the fight against the...