I will like to emphasize just a few of the arguments that underline the historical significance of this conference.

First it is to be appreciated that such an international event is held under the supervision and guidance of H.E. President ofTurkmenistanMr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. This is to be commended as this is showing the necessary political support for discussing and researching the declaration of neutrality of Turkmenistan and is also proving without equivocation that, decision of taking Turkmenistan on the road for upholding a neutrality path to development and international relations is a long term decision, with the support of the highest decision maker in the country.  This is demonstrating the commitment of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in constructing a future for Turkmen people based on neutrality, cooperation , peace and security in a troubled area , is proving a stone decision in making Turkmenistan a power center in Central Asia and a corner of stability in the benefit of Turkmen people development .

Second, this it is the most elaborated, complex and fully constructed event dedicated to debate the neutrality status of a country. From Vienna Conference in 1815, when Switzerlandneutrality status was established, such an event of this magnitude on the topic of neutrality it has never being held.   This is the first ever conference that discuss and analyze uniquely the importance of a neutrality status declaration and is to offer a complete and elaborated panorama of one the most important and relevant historical documents of the region.

Third, this International Conference is a competent and perfect response to United Nations call for preserving and exploiting and offering the knowledge to the world, relating to documents promoting peace, international cooperation and development in the world. Turkmenistan is taking up the call of United Nations and is providing not only a working document and a road map for future countries that want to invoke a neutrality status and to create an area of security but also is offering by such conference a way of scientific analysis the international law base and the geopolitical influence of a neutrality declaration promoting by this way peace and development by culture, and research.

Forth I must appreciate the innovative and bold organization of this Conference that is dissolving the usual barriers for such events dedicated to international affairs. As you all know, in the foreign affairs world is underway  a well documented and based drive for multi-purpose analyses, for cross cultural  investigation, for multidisciplinary approaches and for involving civic society, non-governmental organization , journalist etc. in international events in order to obtain a greater significance and relevance. The time of isolated diplomatic gathering is long overdue and is with extreme great pleasure that I can observe that the International Conference held under the generous auspices of Turkmenistan Presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responding to this imperative of modern diplomacy. The presence here of  diplomats , economic researchers, political figure , important journalists , historians, specialist’s in international law, this is all representing the ideal of XXI century foreign affairs and diplomacy: multi-cultural , multi-disciplinary and coordinate research and policy  that could help us create the world of XXI century .

The lesson that this international conference is offering to the world is invaluable, by only reading the list of personality presented here is giving a strong signal of democratization and modernization of diplomacy.Turkmenistanhas understood the lesson of XXI century: openness and international cooperation, may this be a lesson and for other countries.

Fifth, it is a tremendous honor and privilege to be invited to be a part of a complex phenomenon that is transformingTurkmenistantoday and shaping a generous future: The Epoch of New Revival and Great Transformation. This generous concept of His Excellency President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is transforming in the appreciation of all the world not only Turkmenistan, but also is calling to life and to contribution the forces of Turkmen people in offering the necessary contribution to develop a new nation, to rediscover the roots of history and to create on the most solid base: peace and international cooperation. This International Conference is playing his part in this milestone event ofTurkmenistanand the world: The New Revival of Turkmen people on basis of peacefulness, humanism and openness.

We are all here in a country:Turkmenistanthat could proudly say that is a reservoir of humanity and is hosting the roots of civilization. During the years from this country has started important initiatives to stabilize the region and in service of development and cooperation, but the decision from 12 of December 1995 to declareTurkmenistanas a country of permanent neutrality status is really a decision that changes the face of Central Asia.

The neutrality of Turkmenistan is creating an area of peace in Caspian Sea region , is securing the energy route’s, vital to Europe and Asia, is creating a corridor for free transit of goods, ideas and is assuring in our modern times the revival of Silk Road . In an area plagued by dangers and instability the decision of promoting positive neutrality is insuring stability and an island of freedom and development as a model and a hope not only for this region but for the world nations. By a simple but revolutionary decisionTurkmenistanchosen neutrality over tacking sides, peace over adventures, development over poverty, democracy and cooperation over confrontation and today is reaping the positive consequence: the high appreciation of international community.

There are many other important achievements and points that are making this event a millstone in diplomacy, not only for the region, but also for the promoting peace and international cooperation. It is a pleasure to be a part of an event that will be remembered as the starting point of a complete analyses and research of one of the most important decisions:Turkmenistanneutrality.

Turkmenistanneutrality has not revealed all his political, diplomatic and economic repercussion, but today we are entering in a new realm of political research, we are entering in the world of people ofTurkmenistan, may we all come out with the richness of peace in our hearts.

Seeing  you all here, important personalities , key figure of the world of today and tomorrow ,  being a part of a historic moment I can only say to you that we can all be proud and say : I have being in Ashgabat along side Turkmen people in celebrating neutrality and peace. I have seen history in making.

Congratulation and perfect congress, I wish you all.

Nurmuhammet Andalyp extensive work and the amplitude of the human knowledge field in which he had activated made him, maybe more than other contemporaries to feel that he was living the end of an age: the age of umma and the beginning of a new time-the time of nation states.

Nurmuhammet Andalyp : the national poet of Turkmenistan

 At the cross roads of the XVII and XVIII centuries the Central Asia was involved in tremendous transformation ,that will pave the road for nation state and nation identity building.

The main configuration of this epoch, or trend if you prefer it so was the end of the Islamic ideal of umma embodied in the declined of the three major Islamic powers of that time: Persian Empire, Ottoman Empire and Mogul India.

All three major empires embodied the Islamic concept of umma of Islamic unity in political and religious action. The Ottoman Empire absolved this concept after Selim Yavuz campaign in Syria and Egypt at the beginning of XVI centuries that lead to the downfall of Mameluc State and to the transfer of Caliphate to Istanbul. From that moment the Ottoman Sultan raised claims until the end of Ottoman Empire at the end of First World War that he will speak as leader of the Faithfull and in their behalf.

The Persian Empire after safavid revolution and acceptance of shia`s as official doctrine did not accepted this as a limitation of his influence, just the opposite personalities like Shah Abass the Great or Nadir Shah tried to use this as an argument for an Islamic leadership of umma. Finally the Mongol Empire in India was also transmitting by art, history and ideology the message of being at the forefront of Islamic umma, as Emperor Humaiyun explained bluntly to Persian Shah, we are the true representatives o f Islamic action at the borders of Islam.

All this three attempt of recreating the Islamic umma, the ideal of a borderless, unified, cultural Islamic community was reaching his end. In India Mogul Empire was slowly but surely decaying on English control , in Europe ottoman empire was in disarray after the defeat at the walls of Vienna and finally the Persian Empire was suffering from internal conflicts and several external defeats .

This moment was clearing the way for the XIX century ideal of reform and of nationalistic agenda and for the ideal of a nation state and nation building. In this complex climate Nurmuhammet Andalyp   is starting his existence. His education is clearly that of an intellectual of the Middle Ages, or of umma. Is based on tradition, on Koran and hadit`s analyses on study of Muslim, Bucara, Thirmidy, Ibn Marja and is reflected in his work of Jafar El Sadie –the great shier thinker and Imam.

So it is a conservative based education of religious horizons. The travel to Bagdad it is also an important part of this traditional Islamic education, the value of travel is highly regarded in Islamic education and a hadith says that you have to go even to China to acquire knowledge .So his education in Bagdad, even that information is scarcely is very possible and is the part of the Islamic upbringing. Ahmed Hogea Yassauy-the Kazakh national poet goes also on travel to Bagdad and Damascus.

A travel to Bagdad for education is exactly what Nurmuhammet needs for his work and image of this last age of search for a medieval type umma. The travel to Bagdad is probably enlarging his knowledge on fiqh-islamic jurisprudence and in kalam-islamic theology that are very clear notable in poems like Kyssai Furgun, that could  be described as a perfect example of  koranic based analyses of Moses role in Egypt and in Islamic theology. Undoubtedly there is a pronounced poetry structure into his poem but the knowledge of interpretation of Koran is clearly noticeable.

Also Nurmuhammet receives another emblem of typical Islamic upbringing, his practical works skill in carpentry and farming. The Islamic tradition requires, not as in Europe, a distain towards practice work, but in contrary a good knowledge of practice work. Sultan Mohammed the II Conqueror of Constantinople was an able arch builder, his father Sultan Murad a specialist in dwelling construction, no ruler could gain the respect of his followers without having practical skills.

Nurmuhammet practical skills are exactly a part of this necessary upbringing and wide horizons that Islamic education of the time was supposed to be imposed on pupils. Despite this Islamic-umma centered education Nurmuhammet destiny and works show us a personality that reached forward to destiny and to the future of his people: nation state building and ideology.

Oguznama – his main patriotic or nationalist opera is exactly the kind of opera that could stay at the bases of national renaissance.

The Greek national renaissance is based on the revival of Homeric Poems , Italy is looking at the roman empire in XIX centuries when is recreating his national unity, German are looking toward Barbarossa or even deeper in history at Arminius the legendary defeater of Rome , France is looking at Vercingetorix and the gauls . Turkmen are looking justly at Oguznama and Nurmuhammet Andalyp. By a stroke of genius the work that needs to create a national literature, to create national community of destiny was created.

The construction of national identity is preceding the nation state building because is offering the key elements to a nation state: a common history that is binding the people together with the same memory, the same common traces and emotions and personalities.

After a common history book a nation state needs a common language and Oguznama is offering exactly this – a common value history and a common standard of language. Dante `s language in Divina Comedia became modern Italian and the history that binds Italian people together, Oguznama became the same unifying factor in Turkmenistan history. Also a creation of national identity needs to draw a direction line, to set a standard for the evolution of a country and a people.

It is necessary to show them that in the past there is a perfect model for them. If they achieved greatness and prosperity once, they will achieve it again, it is what is called the authority citation – a historic proof of the viability of the state and his existence. Oguznama is offering exactly this authority quotation from history. In just 11 chapters Andalyp succeeded in offering the bases for national construction in the beginning of XVIII centuries in a perfect work that rather seems to be the fruition of XIX or XX century mind that  an XVIII century vision.

The rest of Andalyp works are perfect example of an umma ideal sharing and of a perfect poet of his time. Kyssai Furgun and Sagdy Vkgas are both having the same Islamic impact and Koran exegesis in poetic terms that is making an age from medina to Otrar or from Agra to Istanbul.

Undoubtedly Andalyp vision is a special one as we see here a mixture of identifiable Shia tradition and folk story or Sunni respectability exegesis’s or even Sufi inclination. Jamal din Maulana Rummi influence is clearly pointed out, the Abu Muslim exegesis is also transparent but the great role of Andalyp in retelling a story old as earth and century the story of Moses is the reinterpretation and mixture of all this elements.

If he will just be satisfied with a Sufi vision or a Sunni vision or a shia interpretation than Andalyp will just have being a normal poet of Sufi or Sunni allegiance but no, his interpretation is so mixed that is becoming original and the old story of pharaoh is becoming dress in new clothes: the clothes of perfect poet-of Nurmuhammet Andalyp. This originality that survives in almost all of his works is I think traceable in his love for folklore, for popular poetry, extremely visible in Destan likes Leili Mejun.

Andalyp is not just a folklore or popular tales collector, he is not just repeating stories but he is enriching them and transformed old themes in philosophical analyses objects. He is not a troubadour in European concept, her is not just an enlighten in Sufi expression or just a regular court poet. His experience, his sturdy life is saving him from mediocrity every time and is placing him in the forefront.

One more time Andalyp is surpassing his age being closer to the XIX and XX century folk collectors that are putting the bases of national literature by collecting and updating g traditional folk stories and poems. Andalyp is doing exactly that unknowingly opening an era.

This tide rope walking between tradition and modernity is no where more visible as in Yusup –Zuleiha Destan. The Destan is written at the request of Shirgazi Han, ruler of Kiva between 1715-1723. This seems to be the beginning of any arab or Islamic poetry in the Middle Age  from Harun Al Rashid to Suleiman Kanuni , a ruler orders a love poetry and the poet reveals to the enchanting world a beautiful poem and his moths is filled by the caliph with pearls in recognition of his poetic achievements . Not here.

Andalyp escapes one more a common destiny, he does not receive the pearls but he creates a pearl. A jewel about sacred love and profane love, a contest between good and evil, between war and peace and a sharply and sad regarded on human destiny and life come from a man who nicknamed himself as THE POOR-GARYP. Yusup Zuleiha becomes just the pretext of a love poem and is transformed in political analyses and in a declaration, a manifesto of his poetic and humanist ideals of patriotic ardor and peace.

In this destan is his all life comprises: a medieval type ruler asks for a medieval theme and composition and Andalyp pretending that is complying with the subject and traditional structure of a poem celebrating love is creating a poem manifesto.

How can we regard Andalyp work? Undoubtedly his patriotic and nationalist construction will guarantee his survival as long as Turkmen people will live, because Andalyp succeed something that only great poets succeed: to identify himself with his people so strong that no amount of time could separate them.

Also Andalyp remains an interesting personage, the last intellectual of umma in medieval shape and a messenger of a new world of nation’s states. A poet of love and a poet of political stance and manifesto. The last of courtly poets and the first national poet. All this are true and untrue in the same time because as Andalyp escaped any classification 300 years ago he still eludes us today. Why?

Maybe because Andalyp will always be the poet of Gull-of a flower, the flower of Turkmenistan independence and power and glory and this does not require any classification just an appreciation. Andalyp and Turkmenistan will always be one staying proud before centuries.

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea -MA, FINS

On this occasion Professor Dr. Anton Caragea was presented with the appointment of  Goodwill Ambassador At Large for the World Natural Protected Area. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea was empowered to speak on behalf the ecological and protection program`s regarding protected natural area and to represent on world stage the necessity issues related to: integrated environment into development , environment and finance, local development, climate change, sustainable energy, ecosystems and biodiversity, ozone and climate , climate strategy etc.

In his acceptance speech as Goodwill Ambassador for Natural Protected Area Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had appreciated the wealth of Romanian natural protected area evaluated at more than 23 natural and national parks that are representing a priority for natural conservation in Romania and for the world.  This regions will be a priority for me and also we have to emphasize the educational vision in promoting natural area protection and development, touristic opportunities, conservationist education programs and international aid. All this all the pillars of developing and insuring financial independence and sustainability for natural protected areas, concluded professor dr. Anton Caragea.

The discussion concluded with the UNDP Country Representative presentation of the UNDP plans main features: The natural environment is the foundation on which poverty reduction efforts and sustainable development must be built. Poor people everywhere depend critically on environmental assets and energy resources for their livelihoods and well-being. It is widely recognized that recent and ongoing global shocks, food, fuel, financial, climate change, have linkages, if not in some cases direct lineage, to environmental issues related to the use and management environmental systems and services. Therefore, mainstreaming environment and sustainable development, including climate change, in national development planning and implementation is central to UNDP`s poverty reduction and Millennium Development Goal mission.

Professor Anton Caragea PhD, MA, FINS – Ambassador for Natural Protected Area visiting Trinidad and Tobago- Chaguaramas Natural Protected Area

Esteemed members of the Government and Parliament of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago , dear  guests and member of diplomatic corp  ,

It is may great honor and privilege to stand today, before you, honoring  a country that is becoming a WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION .

Tourism must be based on values such as nature preservation, cultural patrimony and history conservation for future generation and exactly for this need we have carved WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION as an international recognition of the country that are respecting this values .

It is always a pleasure  when  I have the occasion to meet and congratulate a representative of tourism industry that change the face of his country tourism  and of the region and helped to build a new future for a tourism that is respecting the values .

In a world crowded by images, without a form and substance ,  we come today to honor a CULTURE  , in a world that is loosing the true values, we come today the honor a real  TOURISM VALUE, in a time in which to many speak and do not act for natural preservation , we come to honor a NATURAL  PARADISE , we come to honor the Republic of TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO .

We are all here friend`s of humanity, of cultural tourism , in search for the countries and tourism values that are offering to all the tourist of the world the possibility of a safe, pleasurable and enlightening tourist experience .

Among the reasons leading to awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012 title to TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO the report

take under consideration:

-  Respecting cultural patrimony and traditions in offering to tourists a possibility to participate in impressive paraphernalia festivals such as: Holi, Hosay, Divali, Corpus Christi, Eid Al Fitr and special Tobago Heritage Festival Tobago Fest and Trinidad GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH etc.

Keeping alive spiritual traditions , integrating tourist and visitors in the atmosphere of the islands , offering possibility of an enriching cultural experience are achievements that transform Trinidad and Tobago in a spiritual destination of first hand.

-                      Promoting Trinidad and Tobago environmental protection, especially East Coast natural patrimony of wetlands, beaches and ecological and geographical biodiversity that make Trinidad and Tobago unique in the region. Supporting a new concept of tourism friendly to nature, with low nature impact and preservation of natural biodiversity and protection of endangered species and areas, especially rainforest eco-climate.

-                      Offering to tourists not only cultural experience or relaxation opportunities but also the possibility to explore nature , to contribute to ecological preservation and the opportunity to observed in Tobago the impressive Forest Reserve are model achievements in ecological tourism that must be world appreciated.

-                      The continuous development and protection of cultural and historical patrimony of Trinidad and Tobago, the transformation of Port of Spain in an historical center offering to the visitor a glimpse into rich culture of Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean heritage.

-                      Offering to the tourist a large area of cultural and ecological impressive programs such as: Wildlife Photography in places such El Tucuche Reserve, Valencia Wildlife Sanctuary, Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Cave exploration (in splendid places such as Gasparee Caves).Cycling, Hiking (Argyle Waterfall –a special destination), Kayaking (Paria bay and Tobago area).

We believe in a people that want to develop his country and we are glad to observe that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago also believe in his people.

We are believing in the future of Trinidad and Tobago and we are proud to see the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is also investing and believing in the future of Trinidad and Tobago.

We are believing that despite shortcomings and problems, in Trinidad and Tobago there is the will to overcome this issues and to step into a new way, a new future, and we are honored to see the government of Trinidad and Tobago shaping this future.

This is a prize that was always destined to unite peoples’ in pride, not to divide, to create a filing of pride and to inoculate a desire to strive for a better future, and I hope this will be the case for Trinidad and Tobago also.

For all this reasons European Union Council on Tourism and Trade decided, unanimously, to award WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012 TITLE TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO and to declare TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO- FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS in 2012.

This speech was written after reviewing dozens of reports and publications of scientific value, but it was lacking the knowledge of a major value of Trinidad and Tobago: the people.

During our stay we have meet the people of Trinidad and Tobago: on the streets, on the islands, working in tourism industry, learning the art of panyard, or learn to dance blending Africa, South America and Europe in a fiery spirit. To them is dedicated most of all the prize: to people of Trinidad and Tobago , they are constructing a future in which nobody will ask Why is Trinidad and Tobago –WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION ? They will make 2012 a better year not only for tourism but for all the country.

For all this reasons Is my privileged to award Your Excellency as representative of tourism of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago the award for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2012.

This title is an international recognition of your work for Republic of Trinidad and Tobago until today, in the service of tourism, culture and natural resources preservation and for people of Trinidad and Tobago, but is also a challenge because now we are expecting your services in the future benefit of the world tourism.

May this award be transformed in a support for developing the international standing of Trinidad and Tobago, for a sustainable tourism and development and in a base for further success for beautiful Trinidad and Tobago?

We congratulate you Mrs. Prime Minister and people of Trinidad and Tobago   for this outstanding   achievements.

This astonishing achievements in a difficult region could not have being possible without a powerful cultural base and a long tradition of statehood, of bright civilization and a rich history that proved that Tajik people are creators of wonderful crafts and arts. Tajikistan history is not confined to the last 20 years; Tajikistan must be reminded is the place of birth of fabulous Oxus Treasure that highlighted the heritage of Persian Empire and the craftsmanship of tajik ancestors.

Tajikistan is also the birthplace of Zoroastrism, faith that build an empire of fire worshipers and high moral beliefs from Tajikistan to today Pakistan and Mediterranean Sea.

Just a short counting of the Empires that have their political and cultural center in Tajikistan is impressive: Samanids, Ghaznavids, Kara Kitai, Mongols, Khorezem, and Timurid etc.  Putting in the spot light this heritage, offering to the world the information`s necessary to understand that Tajikistan is one of the top art and civilization creators in the world, with an important contribution to world heritage, it is a necessity. To respond to this necessity the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, the fine intellectual Hamrokhon Zarifi had succeeded in collecting with a passion of the art collector  and the knowledge of the historian, documents, astonishing images and pictures of tajik arts and crafts trough centuries.  The result is a monumental book: TAJIK ARTS AND CRAFTS TROUGH CENTURIES offering, in the front of the surprised and unfamiliar reader, the images of a rich culture and of an ingenious and extremely talented people that leaved a clear mark on history.

The monumental masterpiece TAJIK ARTS AND CRAFTS TROUGH CENTURIES is at the same time: a complete inventory of art treasures and creations of tajik people, an exhaustive image of the traditions and historical influence of the tajik craftsman over the arts in all Central Asia and a repertoire of historic discoveries on the territory of republic of Tajikistan. In 19 chapters, like on a flying carpet, the avid reader will familiarized himself to the impressive art and civilization of tajik people.

The books succeed the rare achievement of analyzing, through impressive photographs and clear descriptions, not only the art of tajik`s, but to related this with the history and with geography of the country. A chapter of embroidery will present you the intricate and luxurious tajik patterns, full of gold and precious colors. I will draw the attention of the readers to models showing the influence of tajik art on the Khorezem art (XII-XIII century) and Safavid Persia, moments when tajik art influence spreads from the banks of Amur Daria to Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf. The gold embroidery and jewelers design will prove that tajik craftsman and tajik patterns conquered the imaginations of the rulers of the world. From the Omayyad Court in Baghdad to the Chinese Emperor court the luxurious models of tajik arts and tajik specialists where attracted to the Asian imperial courts as a proof of the ingenuity of tajik craftsman`s.

TAJIK ARTS AND CRAFTS TROUGH CENTURIES also pays a special attention to the impressive national cloths, head wares and foot wears chapters. This chapters present to the reader in the same time the similarity of the national cloths of tajik people to the Central Asian national cloths pattern, but also pay homage to the ingenuity of tajik people who always knew to make something to stand apart from the crowd: either a splendid tree of life pattern, either a solar image, either a splendid Kara Kitai motive.

Reading the attentive historical and ethnographical explanation of the book, admiring the picturesque images included in the book you cannot wonder how Tajik people succeeded in making the transition from the small art, ephemeral art of cloth and house art, to the impressive big art, ceremonial art of palaces, governmental houses, summer houses and decorative architecture.

I cannot appreciate enough the legacy that a monument like Mir Said Hamadoni Tomb in Kulab is offering to the world: the architectural solutions used in this monument are a proof of the independent mind and wealth of knowledge of tajik builders and the intricate models of designed used to decorate the monument, to recreate the image of Islamic paradise cannot be matched.

It is also an important achievement of this book that is uniting the legacy of the past with the present day creations of tajik crafts and art makers that proof that the ancestors magic and craftsmanship is not lost and even today tajik people can create masterpiece of world level.

Kurramshahr Entertaining Center or Varzob Government Country residence are impressive paraphernalia, witnessing that tajik art is re-living today a new epoch of glory and recognition. The capacity of integrating the art monuments in the nature is one of the key of tajik success in art and resilience trough the centuries and Varzob Palace is a symbol that this capacity is not lost but is living again in the soul of tajik craftsman. The same is valid for the famous Teahouse in Khorugh that elevated wooden crafts to mastery creating a wood marvels that astonish by beautiful model the researcher of today arts phenomena.

TAJIK ARTS AND CRAFTS TROUGH CENTURIES it is a successful claim to international recognition of Tajikistan art, as a role model for the world and as an intrinsic part of humankind patrimony.

This book is the perfect gift for 20 years of independence anniversary of Tajikistan, announcing to the world that Tajikistan it a cultural patrimony household name, with a history dating back to more than 2.500 years, a country that made a powerful contribution to humanity patrimony and can stand with the head high and say: Tajikistan is a name that will always be recognized as the cradle of civilization.

When it was created OSCE brunt the mark of the Cold War institution his main role being in a world of competition between communist and a capitalist system , Western and Eastern military alliance ( NATO and Warsaw treaty )to maintain a fragile unite on a broken continent tarnished by the Iron Curtin . In this tense  climate OSCE prove his utility, in a climate never as reminding a warm war as in the beginning of the 80`s OSCE was the last fragile place where an eastern bloc entered in Afghanistan adventure and a Western alliance decided to launch the Reagan star wars seemed condemned to collide in a nuclear war.

OSCE and the West – East dialogue.

Session like in Vienna in   November 1986   remained part of the Cold War history and many historians appreciate that , without the vital line of communication, understanding and discussion , launched by the OSCE session of the time, the lack of dialogue would have had unimaginable consequences. But avoiding a nuclear war and keeping open a line of communication between adversary  on European continent was not the only service to humanity that OSCE brought in that time: we must not forget that the issue of human rights in the eastern block was raised within the framework of Helsinki treaty and under the operation of OSCE . The reformers at Prague or at Berlin used in the names of their organizations and there manifests calling for greater human rights liberty within the eastern Block exactly the text of Helsinki and the documents of OSCE . In 1989 when the communist system was collapsing OSCE find herself in a difficult situation. An institution born from the Cold War necessity, build as a structure for dialogue between irrepressible adversaries was now in the search for another role.

OSCE and the Paris Chart : the long way for a new Europe

And OSCE has found this role and new place in the brave new world that communist collapse leave it behind. OSCE became in a moment that European Economic Community was only building herself and the political European structure was only a plan , and where Warsaw Treaty has dissolved himself and NATO was only an impossible and in some cases a distant dream from becoming a large strategic structure of security OSCE remained the only European forum that took the charge of protecting human rights agenda, fostering cooperation between former  enemies, offering democracy building services, offering election monitoring and creating the climate in a Central and Eastern Europe that was engulf one more time in nationalistic movement for dialogue and detente  and also providing a window of opportunity for discussion and cooperation with the West.

If it is to summarize the OSCE agenda of the beginning of the 90`s we will see that instead of dissolving herself as someone has suggested the OSCE took an active and full of initiative role in making anew Europe. The dialogue with Russia, the dialogue with Baltic countries, the long list of peace initiatives in Bosnia and in former Yugoslavia, the OSCE democracy building team, the OSCE role in promoting peace and disengagement all are still vivid in our memory.

 OSCE: an un glorious end ?

Unfortunately after the mid90`s the relevance of the organizations started gradually to decrease. The role of promoting military and strategic security on the continent was now gradually overtaken by the NATO alliance, the gradually expansion toward East of NATO in 1999, 2004 and in 2009 expansion waves   was perceived by many of the people of the continent as enough to insure their future security while in the East some opinions where that this expansion will only increase tensions. Also after 2001 the global concept of security and strategic alliances shifted when the so called war on terror was launched, this meant an emphasize on Afghanistan, then on Iraq , a general focus on the Middle east all objectives that OSCE was neither familiar to or neither politically inclined to tackle. The expansion of European Union , much less controversial that NATO expansion was also seen  as a substitute to working within OSCE frame work for better economic cooperation and it seemed for the most optimistic of the observer that some time the European Union will become the leading actor in European cooperation. OSCE remained all this time an important actor but it seemed lass enthusiastic about, less important than it once was.  

OSCE is creating a North South dialogue.

Even in this time of perceived shrinking relevance OSCE did not subside in offering new directions for international politics and diplomacy, one example being the construction of the framework of cooperation with partner countries. This OSCE partnership in strengthening democracy, civil society role and in prevent conflicts and creating opportunities for security and cooperation became not only an efficient way of giving OSCE an opportunity to cooperate with other geographical areas but also became an example for another inclusive cooperation framework . From Japan to South Korea to Australia ( the newest member) the partnership framework prove his utility in sensitive areas like: politic and military dimension ( arms control, border management, antiterrorist activities , conflict prevention, military reform , policing and implementation of international accords ) to economic and environmental action  to human dimension ( raging from combating human trafficking , democratization ,education, elections monitoring, human rights minority rights and media freedom .  Acting in all this important fields it was bound to happen that OSCE received some criticism but looking at long historical perspective we cannot emphasize enough the positive role of OSCE. 

OSCE a political philosophy of : possible .

 In fact many of the accusation addressed to OSCE of not being strong or efficient enough are just a result of a philosophical fundamental decision of OSCE of creating a balanced environment, or not making the human rights as a symbol for internal affairs interfering, monitoring elections process with scrutiny but not accepting to use this a way of creating pressures to a country. This important philosophical concept of OSCE based on the Helsinki Accord and  Paris Charta of respecting the sovereignty and non interfering in internal affairs of member states . Today when concepts like early warning, conflict prevention by armed intervention, some crisis management practice  and post-conflict rehabilitation strategy  are severely debated or criticized the OSCE experience and philosophy could offer a solution for actions with reasonability, this is not weakness this is reasonable action.

In the last years OSCE was confronted with new provocations : the long war in Afghanistan and Iraq , the crisis in the issues related to Palestine , the tensions  in Caucasus region , the necessity of building a Mediterranean community , the necessity to offer Russia the legitimate assurances regarding his security the cooperation in Black sea region and even crisis like Kosovo all are requiring a diplomatic response and a conceptual one based on what some foreign policy experts , I include this also myself )called a New Helsinki Accord  . In this action OSCE must have an important role.

2010- A decisive year. Kazakhstan Presidency

I like to call 2010 a decisive year for Europe, not in the sense that Europe must change his destiny in this year or we must see enormous actions to change our continent but in the idea that in this year we must have to see the beginning of a diplomatic and international debate regarding where we want Europe to had on? This political, cultural and economic debate must start this year and this year must register the beginning of recognizing the need for a change, the need for a philosophical debate, the need for a new framework of action.

The four T

In this respect I can only salute the President Nazarbaev decision to foster such a debate and to center OSCE in the middle of this reform camp and in the melee for this conceptual renewal of one of Europe most prestigious institution. This beginning is well choosing and defined by the four T: Tradition, Tolerance, Trust, and Transparency announced by President Nazarbaev are exactly in the spirit of OSCE action. An action that is build on Trust- a trust accumulated in more the 3o years of activity, Tradition because we must build not against past as someone want, not destroying the history but rather build on it, Tolerance, because we are increasingly leaving, unfortunately in an intolerant world where the difference is spelled enemy and distrust and Transparency, because in a world that is infested by so called  plots and conspiracy the transparency is the only base for trust and for efficient actions.

A Summit of hope.

OSCE could not work without acting together and without a new philosophy based on a new summit after 11 years from the last summit  the necessity for such a gathering is imposing itself a new: “summit would not only give a powerful impetus to adapting the OSCE to modern challenges and threats, but would also increase the confidence and respect enjoyed by the Organization itself among our peoples”.

This appeal by President Nursultan Nazarbaev launched at Vienna Conference is coming with a realistically assessment: we must not let OSCE disappear or being just a forum of no importance: “the OSCE is an organization that cannot be replaced. Its stagnation or disappearance would create a volatile vacuum in the Euro-Atlantic area “appreciate correct president Nazarbaev.

It is to be commended this effort launched by Kazakhstan Chairmanship in obtaining a renewal of OSCE : the idea of expanding OSCE action toward Asia, the impact of intolerance and the necessity of offering to Islamic community a supplementary voice and respectability emphasizing in the present day tensioned climate that Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace. 

„OSCE could not be replaced”.

  This ambitious agenda: a new summit, an European debate on the  future of OSCE , the building of a security and cooperation common space from Asia to Europe and initiating a really  constructive not professorial or preaching North – South dialogue  .Also we must not forget that OSCE is having one more time a role in Europe, a concentrated activity on West Balkans , the necessity of dialogue and support for Balkan area and a focus on economic crisis het country as Macedonia or Albania that must enjoy the OSCE economic role or the Eastern area of Europe where  tensions and economic problems and security issue where democracy building and democratic state  support is still necessary .   It is a tremendous provocation that lies ahead of OSCE in 2001 and years to come.  Kazakhstan is having the courage to act, the power to try, the  decision to put in practice and the strength to require to Europe a lucid analysis to OSCE present situation and a response. Yes Kazakhstan could have just wait for 365 day to pass and Chairmanship to be awarded to another country and let  others launched this debate, but Kazakhstan did not choose the easy way out, no Kazakhstan decided to confront the reality to proposed ambitious goals and for this to make a truly decisive year: 2010 – the year when OSCE start his new page of history.   

Professor Anton Caragea PhD. MA, FINS

Nascuta in atmosfera Razboiului Rece.

Inca de la nasterea sa OSCE a purtat marca atmosferei Razboiului Rece, ca o institutie al carui principal rol a fost mentinerea unei fragile unitati pe un continent divizat de Cortina de Fier si de competitia mondiala intre sistemul capitalist si cel comunist si intre aliantele  militare ale Vestului si Estului ( NATO si tratatul de la Varsovia ).

In acest climat, tensionat, OSCE si-a demonstrat utilitatea, intr-un mediu ce deseori amintea mai mult de un razboi deschis decat de cel rece , precum cel de la inceputul anilor `80 ,OSCE  a fost ultima insula fragila de dialog intre blocul estic, lansat in aventura din Afganistan si alianta vestica, implicata in  razboiul stelelor al lui Reagan si ce pareau a se indrepta catre un razboi nuclear.

OSCE si dialogul Vest – Est.                                       

Sesiuni ,precum cea de la Viena din noiembrie 1986, ce au ramas ca o parte integranta a istoriei razboiului rece si multi istorici apreciaza ca fara aceasta vitala linie de comunicare, dialog si intelegere lansata de OSCE,   lipsa de dialog ar  fi avut consecinte inimaginabile. Evitarea unui razboi nuclear si mentinerea deschisa a liniilor de comunicare, intre adversarii de pe continentul european, nu a fost singurul serviciu adus umanitatii de catre OSCE in aceea perioada . Nu trebuie sa uitam ca problema drepturilor omului, in blocul rasaritean, a fost ridicata in cadrul dezbaterilor de la Helsinki si in cadrul actiunilor  OSCE. Reformistii de la Praga sau Berlin au folosit pentru organizatiile si manifestele lor, ce solicitau respectarea drepturilor omului in cadrul blocului estic, exact documentele de la Helsinki si cele ale OSCE . In 1989 cand sistemul comunist s-a prabusit OSCE s-a trezit confruntat cu o noua situatie. O institutie a Razboiului Rece , construita pe o structura a dialogului intre adversari ireconciliabili era acum in cautarea unui nou rol.

OSCE si Charta de la Paris: lungul drum catre o noua Europa .

OSCE si a faurit acest nou rol si nou loc, in noua lume nascuta din colapsul comunismului . OSCE a devenit singurul spatiu comun de dialog , in momentul in care Comunitatea Economica Europeana se reconstruia , iar nasterea unei structuri politice europene era doar in faza de planseta.  Tratatul de la Varsovia se autodizolvase iar NATO era doar un vis distant sau chiar imposibil de atins si in orice caz departe de a deveni o structura de securitate la nivel european. Ei bine in acest context OSCE a ramas singul for general european care a preluat in agenda sa protectia drepturilor omului, imbunatatirea cooperarii intre fosti inamici, constructia democratica , monitorizarea alegerilor , crearea unui dialog si a unei detensionari intr-o Europa centrala si de est ce cunoasteau pasiunile nationalismului post comunist si in final fiind si o cale de dialog si cooperare cu Vestul continentului. Daca este sa oferim un sumar al agendei OSCE, la inceputul anilor `90, vom vedea ca in loc sa se dizolve, asa cum unii cerusera la inceputul anilor `90 , OSCE a preluat un rol de initiativa si activ in constructia unei noi Europe.

Dialogul cu Rusia, dialogul cu Tarile Baltice, lunga lista de initiative ale pacii in fosta Yugoslavie si Bosnia, echipele de constructie democratica ale OSCE, rolul organizatiei in pastrarea pacii si in dezangajarea din conflicte sunt inca vii in memoria noastra.

OSCE: un sfarsit lipsit de glorie ?

Din nefericire, dupa jumatatea anilor `90, relevanta organizatiei a inceput in mod gradual sa se diminueze. Rolul sau in promovarea securitatii militare si strategice pe continent a devenit treptat un obiectiv al Aliantei Nord-Atlantice , expansiunea graduala a NATO spre Est in 1999 , 2004 si 2009 a fost perceputa de multi ca suficienta pentru a asigura viitoarea securitate a continentului. In timp ce alte voci estice au vorbit de o crestere a tensiunii. Dupa 2001 conceptul global de securitate si alianta strategica s-a deplasat ,odata cu lansarea noului concept despre un asa zis razboi impotriva terorii. Aceasta a insemnat o concentrare a zonei de interes in Afganistan , Iraq si o concentrare pe Orientul Mijlociu , toate obiective cu care OSCE in acel moment nu era familiarizat si nici nu avea vointa politica de a se axa pe ele. Expansiunea Uniunii Europene , niciodata controversata precum cea a NATO, a fost un substitut pentru lucrul in cadrul OSCE pe problemele cooperarii economice . Toate acestea ii faceau pe cei mai optimisti comentatori sa considere un viitor in care Uniunea Europeana deenea actorul central pe contient , ceea ce facea ca OSCE sa ramana un factor important, dar privit cu mai putin entuziasm ca odinioara .

OSCE si crearea unui dialog Nord-Sud.

Chiar si in acest timp, de aparenta relevanta in reducere, OSCE nu a incetat sa ofere noi directii in politica internationala , diplomatie, si un exemplu de construire a unui cadru de cooperare cu tarile partenere.

Parteneriatele OSCE de promovare a democratiei , a rolului societatii civile si a prevenirii conflictelor si crearea de noi oportunitati pentru securitate si cooperare a devenit nu doar o metoda eficienta de a crea oprtunitati de cooperare OSCE si alte zone geografice dar si un exemplu de construire a unui cadru de colaborare. Din Japonia in Coreea de Sud si Australia ( cel mai nou membru) al formulei de colaborare si parteneriat, aceasta  si a demonstrat utilitatea in arii sensibile precum : politica , cooperare militara ,controlul armamentelor , securizarea frontierelor , activitati de preventie antiterorista , prevenirea conflictelor, reforma militara , politie si implementarea acordurilor internationale. Acesta zon de colaborare se extind pana la cooperare economica si de mediu si pana la dimensiunea umana ( de la combaterea traficului de fiinte umane , democratizare , educatie, monitorizarea alegerilor , drepturile omului si ale minoritatilor si libertatea presei. Actionand  in toate aceste zone importante  era normal ca OSCE sa devina tinta criticilor, dar privind din perspectiva lunga a istoriei nu putem sublinia indeajuns rolul pozitiv al OSCE. 

OSCE: o filosofie politica a posibilului

In fapt multe din acuzatiile aduse OSCE, cum ca nu ar fi suficient de hotarata sau de eficienta, sunt doar rezultatul unei decizii filosofice fundamentale a OSCE de a crea un mod de actiune echilibrat , si de a nu trasnforma problema drepturilor omului in drept de ingerinta sau procesele electorale monitorizate ca un mod de a face presiuni asupra unor state independente. Acest concept filosofic important este bazat de Acordurile de la Helsinki si pe Charta de la Paris ce statueaza decizia de a respecta suveranitatea si neamestecul in treburile interne ale statelor membre.  Astazi cand concepte precum: interventia preventiva , prevenirea conflictelor prin interventie armata si anumite practici ale managementului de criza si a reabilitarii post-conflict, sunt aspru criticate si luate in discutie, experienta OSCE si filosofia ei pot oferi solutii pentru o actiune responsabila , aceasta nu e slabiciune ci actiune cu responsabilitate.

In ultimi ani OSCE a fost confruntata cu noi provocari : lungul razboi din Afganistan si Irak , criza legata de procesul de pace palestinian , tensiunile din regiunea Caucazului , necesitatea constructiei unei comunitati mediteraniene , necesitatea de a oferii Rusiei asigurarile legitime de securitate si cooperarea in regiunea Marii Negre si solutionarea crizelor, precum Kosovo.Toate acestea necesita un raspuns diplomatic si conceptual bazat pe ceea ce anumiti experti internationali, uniti intr-o retea , printre care si subsemnatul, numesc un Nou Acord Helsinki. In aceasta actiune OSCE este chemat la un rol important. 

2010- Un an decisiv. Presedentia Kazahstanului.

Imi place sa numesc anul 2010 ca un an decisiv pentru Europa , nu in sensul ca Europa trebuie sa isi schimbe destinul in acest an sau ca trebuie sa schimbam continentul. Dar in ideea ca in acest an trebuie sa vedem un inceput al dezbaterii diplomatice si internationale care trebuie sa decida care e viitorul Europei ? Ce Europa dorim sa construim ? Aceasta dezbatere politica, culturala si economica trebuie sa inceapa in acest an si acest an trebuie sa marcheze recunoasterea nevoii de schimbare , necesitatea unei dezbateri conceptuale , filosofice , si necesitatea unui plan de actiune.     

Cei patru  T

In aceasta privinta este de salutat decizia Presedintelui Nazarbaev de a accentua aceasta dezbatere si de a centra OSCE in mijlocul actiunii de reforma si in mijlocul actiunii conceptuale de refacere a uneia din cea mai prestigioase institutii europeana. Acest inceput este bine definit de cei patru T : Traditie, Toleranta, Transparenta si Incredere,  enuntate de presedintele Nazarbaev sunt exact in spiritul actiunii OSCE. O actiune ce este bazata de Incredere , o incredere acumulata in 30 de ani de activitate.  Traditie deoarece trebuie sa construim pe trecut, nu impotriva acestuia, asa cum vor unii , nu distrugand istoria ci construind pe baza ei .

Toleranta, deoarece traim din nefericire intr-o lume a intolerantei in care diferit se scrie inca dusman si neincredere. Trasparenta, deoarece intr-o lume in care auzim despre conflicte si conspiratii numai transparenta poate fi baza increderii si a actiunii eficiente.

Un summit al sperantei.

OSCE nu poate actiona fara un consens si fara o noua filosofie ce poate fi oferita de un nou summit. La 11 ani de la ultimul summit , necesitatea pentru o astfel de intalnire se impune de la sine. Un nou summit nu va da doar un imbold puternic la adaptarea OSCE la provocarile moderne si amenintarile noi, dar la fel va creste increderea si respectul de care se bucura Organizatia insasi in cadrul propriilor popoare. Acest apel al presedintelui Nazarbaev, lansat la conferinta de la Viena, vine cu o analiza realista : nu trebuie sa lasam OSCE sa dispara sau sa se transforme intr-o  organizatie lipsita de relevanta: OSCE nu poate fi inlocuit. Stagnarea sau disparitia sa ar crea un vaccum in zona Euro-Atlantica, aprecia corect presedintele Nazarbaev.

Este de apreciat acest efort, lansat de Presedintia Kazahstan, in obtinerea unei renasteri a OSCE : ideea expansiunii actiunii OSCE catre Asia , impactul intolerantei si necesitatea de a oferii comunitatii islamice o voce suplimentara si o respectabilitate cu un accent pe Islamul ca religie a pacii si a tolerantei in acest climat tensionat.

OSCE nu poate fi inlocuit.

Aceasta agenda ambitioasa mai cuprinde : un nou summit , o dezbatere europeana asupra viitorului OSCE , constructia unui spatiu comun de securitate si cooperare intre Asia si Europa si initierea unui unei apropieri constructive realizate nu pe ton profesoral sau pe predici intre Nord si Sud. De altfel nu trebuie sa uitam ca OSCE are inca un rol de jucat pe continentul european , o activitate ce trebuie concentrata pe Balcaniide Vest , pe necesitatea dialogului si a sprijinului in zona Balcanilor cu accent pe ajutorarea economica a zonelor afectate de actuala criza precum Macedonia si Albania, care trebuie sa se bucure de rolul economic al OSCE  sau in zona Europei de Est in care OSCE are un rol de jucat in constructia democratica sau in ajutorul economic si de securitate . Sunt provocari enorme care stau inaintea OSCE in 2010 si in anii care vor urma . Kazahstanul a avut curajul de a actiona , puterea de a incerca si decizia de a lua actiuni practice si puterea de a cere Europei o lucida analiza a situatie actuale a OSCE si un raspuns la aceasta.

Da, Kazahstanul ar fi putut doar sa astepte sa treaca  365 de zile si Presedintia sa fie acordata unei alte tari si sa ii lase pe altii sa initieze aceasta dezbatere , dar Kazahstanul nu a ales calea usoara de iesire. Nu Kazahstanul a decis sa confrunte realitatea si sa propuna obiective ambitioase si pentru asta sa faca din 2010 un an decisiv, anul in care OSCE a inceput o noua pagina a istoriei sale.

Stimate domnule prof. Mircea Coşea, 

Am primit cu bucurie vestea înfiinţării Forumului AntiCriză din România sub conducerea dumneavoastră.

Forumul Anticriză este o necesitate în aceste momente când criza economică, începută în 2007 în Statele Unite, a devenit o criză mondială, care prin efecte şi dimensiuni aminteşte deja de Marea Criză Economică din 1929-1933.

Din nefericire,  precum în 1929 şi acum, România se trezeşte nepregătită şi economic şi financiar şi ceea ce este mai grav nici politic şi nici ideatic.

Cu o clasă politică dezbinată, cu ameninţătoare şi legitime conflicte sociale la orizont, fără o comunitate de interese şi ajutor între patronate şi sindicate şi cu o economie nesănătoasă România se pregăteşte pentru primul val al crizei, iar consecinţele nu pot fi decât grave.

 Lansarea unui Forum AntiCriză în România îmi apare, din aceste nenumărate motive,  neîndoielnic o iniţiativă utilă şi importantă.

Fără un Forum AntiCriză România nu are nici o şansă să realizeze un program coerent de ieşire din prăbuşirea economică.

Fără un Forum AntiCriză nu putem ajunge la acele soluţii, naţional acceptate, care să ne ofere un plan de salvare în faţa crizei care deja macină fundaţiile economiei româneşti.

Mă onorează totodată rugămintea dumneavoastră de a fi alături în acest Forum AntiCriză şi nu pot decât să răspund afirmativ.

Am fost împreună pe parcursul anilor 2007 şi 2008, când am fost primii care am avertizat că prăbuşirea pieţei imobiliare din S.U.A. va antrena o criză economică mondială.

Am fost primii care am avertizat, în pofida asigurărilor liniştitoare ale guvernului Tăriceanu, că această criză economică va afecta grav România, mi se pare normal să fiu alături de dvs. acum când trebuie să gândim soluţiile necesare ieşirii din criză.

În aceste condiţii nu pot decât să fiu alături de dvs. în acest nou efort pentru a da României o şansă şi românilor un viitor mai bun.

Cu cele mai bune sentimente,

Prof.univ. dr. Anton Caragea

Economic crisis or doomsday?

The first question on everybody’s lips is: are we facing a world economic crisis the way the world experienced between 1929 and 1933? The answer is yes. The world dimension of the economic crisis is very easy to notice considering the 25 per cent drop in value of the stock markets in Europe and in the USA and the 30 per cent shrink of the Hong Kong, Tokyo Bombay and Shanghai stock exchanges. In the past two months European countries, such as Italy and Ireland announced their economic recessions and by the end of the year the situation will become critical for many countries in Africa and Asia, which proves that the US financial crisis has rapidly become a global crisis.

Price fluctuations on oil and gas markets, value fluctuations of all foreign currencies are elements which will gravely disrupt sensible and important sectors of global economy, such as ground and air transportation and heavy industry. The fall of these business areas will attract further global economic disruption. Alitalia, a well Italian known carrier, is one of the companies affected by the economic crisis. Financial turmoil impacted negatively on other flight companies as well. From the beginning of this year, over 15 per cent of the world flight companies field for bankruptcy, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Real estate crisis spreads very fast from United States to Europe involving more and more markets and affecting one of the most productive economic sectors: constructions. Considering these elements we have to prepare and be aware that the worse is yet to come. Of course the financial crisis with negative impact on investors and consumers’ confidence is the most difficult issue. Credit squeeze sets limits to business development, housing purchase and even life standards of western European inhabitants. Taking all these effects into account we can safely assume we are looking at a world economic crisis.

Crisis, not recession!

We have to separate the crisis from the recession. Recession is the fall of all economic sectors not only of financial, housing and stock exchange areas. The economies of China, India and European Union are growing and US is likely to register economic growth   as well this year, so global economy is not in recession.  The current crisis is a development crisis not an overheating of the market as many have said. This is crucial to understand. Like in an illness a fault in diagnose could become a mistake in treatment with fatal consequences.

A few numbers show very clearily that the current global economy still has a lot of room to grow. According to UN data on living standards only 1.5 billion of people, of 6 billion in total, live in developed countries. This figure proves there is still a long way to an overdevelopment or overproduction crisis. It is very obvious that while we have billions of people living below the poverty limit in Africa, South East Asia, China, India or Indonesia we should not fear an economic overheating.

So this is in fact a crisis of undeveloped and over-speculative markets, for which financial market could be blamed. In the past years, 40 to 60 per cent of the financial transactions were speculative transactions. In stock exchanges also, instead of fulfilling their role of pumping money into the real economy, more than 70 per cent of the transactions are suspected of being speculative. This deprived real economy of the necessary money for productive investments and created a spiral of false expectations and fortunes.

Remember the past
            
Usually we forget the past and his valuable lessons. Let us hope that this will not be the case. At the beginning of the world economic crisis in 1929 everybody was speaking about an overheated economy, overproduction and the need to let the free market forces regulate the game.

This policy has quickly transformed the Wall Street collapse from Black Friday 1929 to a world economic crisis that pushed the world into the Second World War, communism and Nazi experiences. In 1930, British economist John Maynard Keynes decided, as he put it, “to give 30 more years to capitalism” and he wrote his ideas about a general plan to put in motion the world economy. The rest is history. His ideas became the Roosevelt plan that helped the US recovery and then the world recovery.   
       
Today we see the same false prophets preaching about Adam Smith invisible hand and rejecting state’s involvement in economy and creating a general plan to stop the world crisis, repeating the same mistake over and over again.

Keynes explained in his times that the economy could not possibly overheat when only 300 million people lived in developed countries in 1929 of a total of 2 billions. What was true in 1929 is true to this day. Keynes’ simple, but revolutionary idea was that capitalism must embrace the poorest from western society into the welfare state. He created the consumption society, the dividends paid to employees, the financial support for private enterprises all that we take now for granted. Now it is the time for a new Keynes Deal at world wide dimensions.

A New Keynes Deal.

The solution to our present day crisis is not far reachable as many want us to believe. And it is surely not the 700 billion Euro public money investments in private enterprises, mismanaged and abused and in paying huge dividends as golden parachute irresponsible directors. The 700 billion Euro bail outs will only maintain the corrupt system that lead to present crisis and will not help the economic sectors that need urgent investments. Such cash flow in an unregulated and inefficient sector, which had not been purged from the habits that destroyed it, is contra productive.

What we need now is an increase in real economy investments, control on the markets, fiscal incentives to businesses and real economy. Consumption increase, blocking of speculative affairs that lead to the down fall of the system and supplementary taxation of speculative stock market exchanges and directing the money in investment projects. This 700 billion Euro bailout could be put to far better use in real market.

Is capitalism dying?
 
It is definitely not dying. Capitalism is good in promoting development and increasing economy and while we have 2/3 of the world population living in poverty we need capitalism. When 99 per cent of the economies will reach development we can start worrying. But what we need is a new Keynes deal, to involve in the market the 4 billion people left out. Such a project needs world cooperation and investments directed at peoples not at states.

Angelos Angelopoulos, former chairman of Greek National Bank designed a plan for such a new deal based on international support. He thought about directing 0.7 per cent of industrialized countries’ GDP to this purpose, by initiating a one dollar tax on oil barrel, a 3 per cent tax on gold market and a 3 per cent tax on speculative financial business. According to same calculations these taxes could offer collect over 150 billion Euro every year, which can be used for World Development Program.

A brave new world.

Unfortunately such a plan was not possible in 1929 and the world experienced more then 4 years of economic crisis, during which millions of people became homeless and the two greatest threats to democracy: Nazism and communism almost controlled Europe avoided turning Keynes’ plan into reality. Only at the defeat of Germany the Marshall plan, Keynes’ vision became reality in Europe also.

The current financial crisis is still too weak to cause a new change in our economic system, but the solutions are present and feasible and the reality will force us sooner or later to put them in practice. ( By Professor Anton Caragea PhD, MA, FINS )
            

Ohrid, February 20 (MIA) – There are moments in history, crucial for the future of a country when politicians should reach decisions that are of high state interest stated Romania’s former president Emil Constantinescu Friday at the sidelines of an international conference “Macedonia on the Road to EU and NATO, held in Ohrid.

He pointed out some of his personal experiences before reporters, saying they might benefit Macedonia in its efforts to join EU and NATO.

- Politicians should bear the responsibility and reach decisions that will settle existing problems. To prove that these claims are not only theoretical, I will point out the fact that on the first day of my presidential mandate I decided not to run for a second term only to have my hands not tied in terms of reaching decisions throughout my presidency, Constantinescu said.

He added that Romania in order to join the European family at first had to demonstrate readiness for reaching decisions that were not entirely in compliance with some of its historical interests.

- I personally signed the accord with Ukraine under which Romania was practically ceding the Bukovina province that historically belonged to Romania, stated Constantinescu.

Commenting the ongoing Skopje-Athens relations, the former Romanian president said there was a lack of political dialogue, which “results in a frozen dispute that is harmful for everyone, the Balkans and Europe”.

- The relations between Romania and Moldavia would be interesting for you. Romania is comprised of three provinces – Transylvania, Muntenia and Moldova. The forth part, which was known as Bessarabia in the past, nowadays is the Republic of Moldova. There is also a region called Moldova in Romania, but Romania didn’t block Moldova in its efforts to Euro-Atlantic integration, said Constantinescu referring to Greece’s remarks regarding the constitutional name of Macedonia.

In his opinion, the Balkans’ Euro-integrations was an inevitable process and one of the priorities of the European Union. He stated that Romania prior the Bucharest NATO Summit, during and after it had been constantly supporting Macedonia’s prompt integration to EU and NATO