Deutsch
English
FrançaisSub menu: Home
Home / Index of Authors
Grgic, Borut
Subscribe to receive the texts of "Grgic, Borut" as RSS feeds
4 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Borut Grgič on Europe's Azerbaijani gas connection
Borut Grgič of the Institute for Strategic Studies in Ljubljana writes in the daily Delo that Europe must cooperate with Azerbaijan to secure natural gas supplies from the region: "European policy with regards to the Caspian Region is nothing short of tragic. Last year Europe looked on while Georgia was set ablaze. The Armenian army is still occupying more than 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory and Russia and China are sharing the Caspian natural gas between them to the detriment of Europe. If things go on like this Europe will find itself entirely cut off from the Caspian Sea. And for the people - and the elites - of the South Caucasus region Europe will be less an inspiration than a source of uncertainty. If Europe is interested in securing access to Central Asia and Caspian gas it needs a new regional strategy based on a fresh approach. Europe needs to build up a strong base of cooperation with Azerbaijan - and it need's Azerbaijan's support. The country is an energy producer and the most important transport link between Europe and Central Asia. Europe has no other way into Central Asia if the road through Baku is closed."
» more information (external link, Slovenian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Energy, » Europe, » Azerbaijan
Borut Grgič on Kosovo's dynamic economy
The founder of the Institute for Strategic Studies in Ljubljana, Borut Grgič, describes Kosovo's educated younger generation as the country's most important export: "The inhabitants of Kosovo are young. They speak many foreign languages and they know how to work with computers and with communications and information technology. And most important of all: they are longing to work and to be successful. This mass of talented individuals has become the country's most important export. Kosovo has become the regional centre for information technology services, telecommunications and media. These are well-paid sectors, which will ensure a swift growth in incomes and purchasing power. The restaurants in [the capital] Priština are full. The money transfers from abroad still being made mean the inhabitants have enough money. And the members of the international units living in Kosovo are also spending money and thus helping to boost economic growth. Thus, a year and a half after Kosovan independence it is not the economy that is the main problem. If the government wants to make use of the current economic dynamism it must above all resolve the ethnic conflicts and respond to the question of permanent membership of the United Nations."
» more information (external link, Slovenian)
More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Economic Policy, » EU neighbourhood policy, » Kosovo
Kosovo's future in the ballot box
Borut Grgic, director of the Institute for Strategic Studies in Ljubljana, emphasises Slovenia's importance for Kosovo. "Slovenia must make a resolute effort to reduce Russia's counterproductive influence in the region. To this end, next year Slovenia [which will hold the rotating EU presidency] should make it clear to Russia that it should not interfere in the region's politics. The Balkans are an EU problem. The sooner Europe offers the region a timetable for EU membership, the sooner Russia will back down. ... Kosovo holds its elections this weekend. Until now the election campaign has been democratic and there's no reason to suppose that it will end otherwise. This example of democracy in the Balkans could be one of Europe's shining moments in the region. Now Slovenia must ensure that Europe consolidates this success."
» full article (external link, Slovenian)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Slovenia, » Russia, » Europe, » Serbia
European Energy Policy
In a commentary, Borut Grgic, director of the Institute for Strategic Studies in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, calls for a new approach in European energy policy. "There are not enough sources of energy to replace Russia as a supplier. It's also questionable whether other European producers would prove more reliable. Meanwhile, global energy consumption is steadily increasing. Alternative energies won't be able to replace oil and gasentirely , and nuclear energy is a controversial issue in many countries." Grgic recommends integrating the European energy market and acquiring shares in the Russian energy sector. This "could make it more difficult for the Kremlin to use energy as a foreign policy weapon."
» more information (external link, Slovak)
More from the press review on the subject » Economy, » Europe
© 2005-2012