AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES TOWARDS GERMANY

The article addresses the priorities of US relations with Germany. The victory of Joseph Biden and Democratic Party on the elections of 2020 signified quite radical twist in US foreign policy. The election slogan «America is back» which won the White House for the Democratic Party and Congress, means restoration of transatlantic relationship, damaged by the previous administration. Germany has a special place in this process. Elections in Germany in 2021 resulted in a victory of a Social Democratic Party. Decision making in Washington on Relations with Germany are influenced by many factors, including those related to domestic policies and international relations. Domestically there have appeared contradictions between Democratic and Republican parties on a number of priority issues on the bilateral agenda. In particular, the main differences were related to the Nord Stream 2 project. The situation in Afghanistan remains an urgent problem for both sides. It is noteworthy that following the results of the last elections in the United States, the German Caucus again became active in Congress, including both democratic and republican politicians. It is clear that Biden’s administration pursues the developing of economic ties with Germany.

Features of Perception of the Belt and Road Initiative in the Slovak Republic

The article is part of the research related to the perception of the Belt and Road Initiative of the PRC in the Visegrad Group countries. It presents results of discourse analysis on perception of the Belt and Road Initiative in the Slovak Republic in government and expert circles and data from a sociological survey on the attitude of Slovaks to the Chinese initiative. The results show that the Slovak perception of the Belt and Road Initiative is pragmatic and focuses on possible economic benefits from participation in the initiative. The experts are not oblivious to the political and economic risks associated with China’s expanding influence in the region, which makes the Slovak discourse rather balanced and utilitarian. The Slovak expert discourse has been found to have a significant influence on the pragmatic sentiments in the Visegrad Group countries regarding the Belt and Road Initiative. The independent think tank of the Central European Institute for Asian Studies (CEIAS) plays a major role in the transmission of these ideas, producing a number of analytical reports and actively engaging researchers from the Visegrad Four countries in its work. As for the governmental discourse, the Chinese theme is present in it to a limited extent; in recent years there have been several cases that have divided the views of the ruling elite regarding Sino-Slovak relations. In general, these have concerned human rights issues and interaction with the Dalai Lama and the resulting problem of whether it is worth raising sensitive issues and criticising the PRC at the state level to the detriment of economic ties. In conclusion, the author describes the main trends and forecasts of the development of the Slovak discourse about the Chinese initiative.

ASSESSMENT OF EFFICIENCY OF ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT

The concept of "management efficiency", that is, the economic efficiency of the implementation of certain organizational and technical measures, hasbeen studied. The effectiveness of management - the effectiveness of management activities, is defined as the ratio of the results obtained from theimplementation of certain management levers in the enterprise to the costs that accompany their receipt. It is proved that management activity is oneof the most important factors in the functioning and development of enterprises in a market economy. This activity is constantly being improved inaccordance with the objective requirements of the production and sale of goods, the complexity of economic ties, the increasing role of the consumerin the formation of technical, economic and other parameters of products. The classification of management efficiency is given and characterized bythe scope of application, in accordance with the objects of definition, purpose and methods of calculation. The criteria and the system of generalizedand particular indicators, with the help of which the effectiveness of management is evaluated, are considered. Conditions are proposed that must bemet for the effective management of the enterprise, the main components of the success of the enterprise are investigated. It has been proven thatefficiency and productivity are two concepts on which every strategy of any enterprise is based. After a comprehensive assessment of approaches tomeasuring performance, efficiency and quality of management, it was concluded that a profitable business is possible only with proper management.To ensure the continuous development of the company can only optimal performance, efficiency and high quality of enterprise management, whichallows to increase its competitiveness in the target market and maximize its profits.

Visitors to Leuke Island

This article is the publication of the plates compiled by N.N. Murzakevich, secretary of the Odessa Society for History and Antiquities. It contains tracings of 241 Classical coins and lists of coin finds from the island of Fidonisi (known as Leuke in antiquity), which had been excavated in the 1840s and early 1850s. Recent data have led to a doubling of the list of Greek centres (up to 202) and the rulers of a number of states and peoples, whose coins made their way to the island. Details of these finds and the dates of the emissions illustrate clearly the development and chronological framework of the religious and economic ties between the northern coast of Pontus with the various regions of the Classical oikumene. The geographical range of the coin finds (from Magna Graecia, Sicily and the Levant to the Aegean, the Balkans, the Pontic region and Asia and as far away as Mesopotamia) demonstrates that the sanctuary of Achilles on the island of Leuke situated at a meeting point of Black Sea trade routes, enjoyed enormous popularity in the Classical world. The publication of these plates compiled by N.N. Murzakevich makes available new information on the maritime trade in the Pontus area between the 5th century BC and the 5th century AD.

Trade facilitation: definition and current significance for economic development of Russia

At the present stage of the functioning of the multilateral trading system there is an increasing need to find new approaches to the development and facilitation of trade other than the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Trade facilitation is the field of activity of many international organizations, it is recognized as an effective tool for promoting economic development and capacity building both at the level of an individual state, and within integration associations and regions, which, due to their geographic location have close political and economic ties. The areas targeted by trade facilitation measures are diverse and have evolved over time. This has led to the fact that the concept of trade facilitation does not have a specific applied characteristic, as well as a generally accepted framework for the implementation of initiatives in this area, which undoubtedly deserves scientific attention. This approaches to interpretation of trade facilitation term in Russian practice are described. Also were hold the analyses of considering term definitions, which were defined by international organizations in accordance with their scope of work and those, which are proposed by scientists. The main approaches to understanding of considering term were exposed, that make possible to characterize the essence and main directions of trade facilitation measures implementation. The feasible economical profits of implementing initiations in field of trade facilitation in framework of international trade both from supply and demand are described. In addition, the main perspectives of trade facilitation measures for different participants of international trade were systematized. In conclusion, defined authors approach for understanding of trade facilitation term concerning the interests of Russia in this sphere. The author identified the most relevant vectors for the implementation of measures to facilitate trade procedures, which reflect the current directions for the implementation of the economic policy of the Russian Federation, as well as ensure the creation and maintenance of a favorable business environment to stimulate the development of foreign economic activity and foreign trade.

Adaptive Management of Transport Logistics in Agricultural Enterprises

Agriculture is a complex logistics system with some features and limitations. The logistics system usually operates in conditions of pronounced uncertainty, characteristic random processes, so the aim of the article is to study and develop recommendations for improving the adaptability of transport logistics management in agricultural enterprises. In the article, the authors considered the specifics of logistics processes occurring in agriculture. The importance of cooperation in the development of logistics of the agro-industrial complex formed based on intersectoral cooperation of public transport enterprises, institutions, service, and infrastructure organizations, which have separate transport units, united by technological and economic ties, and use a variety of resources of the region for the formation and implementation of transport services. The financial content of cluster development as a tool of competitiveness and innovative activity of agricultural enterprises is reflected, which allows realizing the available potential to increase sales.

Taiwan-China economic ties will grow, despite tension

Significance Even as China's military intimidation of Taiwan reaches its highest level in decades, economic interaction continues expanding. During the first ten months of 2021, Taiwan’s exports to China reached a record high of USD154.68bn, or 42.5% of its total. Impacts Chinese sanctions on Taiwan will not have much impact on overall economic interaction. Beijing will encourage further economic integration, especially Taiwanese investment in China. Taiwanese firms will not terminate business with China, but will increase their investment in friendlier countries. China will remain Taiwan’s top economic partner.

Belt and Road projects in Tajikistan: Opportunities to strengthen the ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Tajikistan are significant due to Tajikistan's geostrategic importance in the region. Tajikistan has channeled its geo-strategic values and established diplomatic and economic relations with regional and extra-regional states. China and Tajikistan's diplomatic relations were started in 1997, which marked another milestone when countries resolved their border disputes bilaterally in 2021. Since China introduced its BRI, its existing diplomatic relations with Tajikistan have changed to close economic ties. Hence, it uplifted the pace of existing economic projects between China and Tajikistan, with the introduction of new projects, some branded as BRI projects, and others are complementing it. In this scenario, China through the BRI provides an opportunity for Pakistan and Tajikistan to enhance and strengthen their economic and diplomatic ties. Both Pakistan and Tajikistan need a great deal of cooperation for further progress of both states in contemporary times. It is important to identify the ongoing process in the region to pinpoint the future policy options for further development. This article analyzes the geostrategic importance of Tajikistan and its relations with regional and extra-regional states. It also focusses on the concluded, ongoing, and planned projects regarding enhancing the geostrategy of the states that are in line with the BRI. Further, it explores the existing Pakistan–Tajikistan relations and new prospects, along with the challenges in future prospects.

Russian-Mongolian Trade and Economic Relations at the Beginning of the 20th Century: History and Stages of Development

For a long time, trade relations in this region have played an important role between agricultural and nomadic cultures. The Great Silk Road, the first trans-Eurasian trade route connecting East Asia and the Mediterranean in antiquity and the Middle Ages, promoted an intensive exchange of goods, interpenetration of cultures, transfer of knowledge and technology. Russia and Mongolia have long common borders, close economic, cultural, and religious ties of border territories. The study shows the development of Russian-Mongolian trade and economic relations, considers the volume of trade, analysis of the range of goods, the ratio of the trade turnover of the Russian-Mongolian trade, the main directions of trade routes, expeditions to study the Mongolian market. The characterization of the rivalry of Russian, Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs in Mongolia is given. Different positions of Russian statesmen, trade circles and the public regarding the prospects of Russian-Mongolian trade are revealed. An assessment of the routes of scientific and trade expeditions in the study of the state of the Mongolian market is given. The problematic sides in the Russian-Mongolian trade and the ways of their solution are revealed. Particular attention is paid to cross-border territories that played an important role in the development of trade and economic relations. In his work, the author relied mainly on the principles of historicism, scientific nature and objectivity, historical-genetic, historical-dynamic, comparative-historical, retrospective methods, which allowed the most complete analysis of the main stages and patterns, dynamics of trade, problems and prospects for the development of Russian Mongolian trade and economic ties. An analysis of Russian-Mongolian trade and economic relations allowed the author to come to the conclusion that, despite the existing problems in the development of trade, Mongolia occupied an important place in the political and economic interests of Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, especially for Siberian commercial and industrial capital, which had common long borders and long-standing trade and economic ties. The study showed that the border territories of Siberia were closely integrated into trade and economic relations with Mongolia and were a kind of outpost in Russia’s Far Eastern policy.

Cold War Relations between Hungary and Brazil from a Semi-Peripheral Perspective (1960–1980)

During the Cold War, searching for trade benefits and opportunities of diversification motivated the Hungarian government and certain Latin American countries to build economic ties, especially between 1960 and 1980. Economic globalization as an external and state-led industrialization as an internal factor served as motivations to build links between command economy Hungary and “capitalist” Latin American states. The article focuses on relations between Hungary and Brazil, emphasizing their similar, semi-peripheral position in world economy that led to the perception of each other as dependent economies on the superpowers (the Soviet Union and the United States, respectively) attempting to loosen these ties instead of an ‘ideological rival.’