Seismic Analysis of Moderate Size Earthquakes Recorded on Stations at Close Epicentral Distances

In this study, we analyzed the near-field seismic records of two moderate sized earthquakes in the Western Balkan region: the September 2016 Skopje earthquake, magnitude ML5.3 and the March 2020 Zagreb earthquake, magnitude ML5.5. Such recordings at close epicentral distances are rare and are thus very useful for testing some of the theoretical assumptions used in modeling earthquake risk. Firstly, response spectra were computed using the digital time histories for the three closest stations to the Skopje 2016 earthquake and the two closest stations to the Zagreb 2020 earthquake. Their characteristics were examined in terms of frequency and peak amplitude ranges. Secondly, the Nakamura method was applied to the records from the selected five stations coded SKO, FCE, IZIIS, QUHS, and QARH. The results of the spectral analysis were compared with interpretations from the geological and geotechnical maps at each location. Our findings support the idea that these combined methods can be used to categorize the underlying structural profile to a first approximation and can be used to derive velocity models.

Climate change and agriculture management: Western Balkan region analysis

Background This paper aims to analyze the possibilities of the agricultural sector of the Western Balkan to assess compliance with the European Green Deal, which provides for the implementation of activities, which should enable the transition to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation. This paper is among the first to present the causality of agriculture and climate change (status, mitigation, and perspectives) in general and in light of the European Green Deal for the Western Balkan territory. Main text Agricultural production is a leading industry in the Western Balkan. Climate change and predictions that temperatures will increase by 4 °C in the coming decades pose a risk not only to agricultural production but also to the safety of the population, because agriculture is the main source of income for a significant part of it. Uncontrolled floods and droughts caused by climate change are a particular danger for agriculture and human existence. This paper demonstrates that agriculture in the WB can be considered critically affected by climate change. Conclusions Unless appropriate measures are taken and risk management for water resources and agriculture is improved, there will be a further decrease in precipitation and an increase in dry days by 20%. Such a scenario endangers not only the already vulnerable climate sustainability and biodiversity of the region but also the existence of a population employed in agriculture and the contribution of the agricultural sector to the gross domestic product. However, future planning based on the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and European Green Deal, the adoption of a related regulatory framework, the establishment and regular monitoring of supporting financing mechanisms, regional cooperation, and improving risk management (with emphasis on the local level) can mitigate the present impact and decrease the expected negative impact of climate change on agriculture and biodiversity in the WB region.

Exploring meal frequency and vegetable intake among immigrants 70 years or older in Sweden

Background Earlier research regarding immigrants has shown that lifestyle and environmental factors are of importance for the risk of developing certain diseases. Food habits are one of these factors. As there is little research concerning immigrants and food habits, the aim of the present paper was to explore food habits operationalised as meal frequency and vegetable intake among a group of older immigrants in Sweden. Specifically, the following questions were explored: changes in food habits when migrating, missing food from the native country, gender differences in food habits and association between food habits and self-rated health and well-being. Method A total of 131 persons from the health-promoting study “Promoting Aging Migrants’ Capabilities” (PAMC) conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden, 2011–2014, were included in this exploratory secondary analysis of questionnaire data. Participants were 70 years or older, cognitively intact, and living in ordinary housing. They had all migrated to Sweden from Finland or the Western Balkan Region (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia). Descriptive statistics as well as binary logistic regression were used to answer the research questions. Results Forty-eight percent of the participants in PAMC reported that they had changed their food habits when migrating, and 17% considered that they missed certain foods from their native country. Most of the participants migrated to Sweden more than 20 years ago. There was a significant difference in self-rated health in favour of the male participants (p = 0.02), but food habits, operationalised as meal frequency and vegetable intake, were not associated with self-rated health or life satisfaction. Conclusion Men rated their health as better than women did, but food habits operationalised as meal frequency or vegetable intake, were not associated with self-rated health or life satisfaction. Results from this secondary analysis were affected by methodological shortcomings. Further studies to understand the role of food habits in relation to health in a migration context are desired. Trial registration: NCT01841853, Registered April 29, 2013. Retrospectively registered.

Repatriating FTFs from Syria: Learning from the Western Balkans

Four countries in the Western Balkan region (Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Montenegro) are in the top ten countries with the most foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) per capita. The political will to repatriate FTFs remains strong, at least in the Western Balkans, despite delays in 2020 due to COVID-19. In other parts of the world, especially high-income countries, political will to repatriate is considerably lower. COVID-19 has further constrained nations in their efforts to repatriate law-abiding citizens, which is less controversial than FTF families. Based on discussions with government officials and security officers in the Western Balkans as well as international experts and donors, this policy note provides operational recommendations to move forward with repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees building on lessons from repatriations in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. It urges governments globally to double down on repatriation efforts and to call on experience from governments in the Balkans to bring back their FTFs now. The recommendations in this policy note are relevant to any country where political will to repatriate FTFs can be generated.

Climate Change And Agriculture Management – Western Balkan Region Analysis

Background: The aim of this paper is to analyze the possibilities of the agricultural sector of the Western Balkans, to assess compliance with the European Green Deal, which provides for the implementation of activities, which should enable the transition to the green sector and climate change mitigation. This paper is the first scientific paper to analyze agriculture and climate change in light of the EU Green Deal for the Western Balkan territory.Results: Agricultural production is one of the leading industries in the Western Balkans. In the Republic of Serbia, the total gross value of agricultural production in 2019 amounted to 5.5 billion dollars, in Albania, it is the basis of the life of the population and the system of protection against unemployment, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1/5 of the population is employed in this sector. Montenegro has a significant share in the gross domestic product (GDP, 8%), while in the Republic of Northern Macedonia agriculture accounts for 13% of GDP. Climate change and predictions that temperatures will increase by 4oC in the coming decades pose a risk not only to agricultural production but also to the safety of the population. If it takes into account that the agricultural production of the countries of the Western Balkans depends primarily on rain, this makes this sector particularly vulnerable. Unless appropriate measures are taken and risk management for water resources and agriculture is improved, there will be a decrease in precipitation and an increase in dry days by 20%. One of the ways to implement adequate activities is the adoption of regulations related to the creation of local energy management, which will enable the assessment of climate change and based on them to give appropriate "energy response“. Conclusions: Taking this combined and ambitious approach and using the latest developments in knowledge and innovation, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aligns agriculture with the European Green Deal, which aims to create an inclusive, competitive, and environmentally friendly future for Europe. Finding renewable energy sources and improving risk management can mitigate the negative impact of climate change and prevent the loss of agrobiodiversity.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PANEL REGRESSION MODEL APPLICATION: THE EXAMPLE OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

Panel regression model may seem like an appealing solution in conditions of limited time series. This is often used as a shortcut to achieve deeper data set by setting several individual cases on the same time dimension, where cross units visually but not really multiply a time frame. Macroeconometrics of the Western Balkan region assumes short time series issue. Additionally, the structural brakes are numerous. Panel regression may seem like a solution, but there are some limitations that should be considered.

'What a kitty!': Women’s physical appearance and animal metaphors in Montenegro

Animals present a common source of metaphors conceptualising humanity, and, consequently, women. The aim of this paper is to explore how women's physical appearance is conceptualised through animal metaphors in Montenegrin webpages (the. me domain). We find that women's looks are most often likened to those of a cat (kitten, kitty), fish, mare, snake, tigress, and duck. The choice of an animal that a woman is compared to and the associated characteristics reflect entrenched cultural views which prioritise women's physical appearance. By comparing our results to those from the scholarly literature, we also conclude that the choice of some metaphors may be culturally specific to Montenegro and/or perhaps the wider Western Balkan region.

Europeanization of General Administrative Procedure in Serbia

Serbia (as well as other countries of the Western Balkan region) recently adopted the new General Administrative Procedure Act (gapa). The drafting and adoption process was strongly influenced by the European Union and its experts from the sigma organization. The paper first analyzes the novelties introduced and improvements made under European influence. The authors then go on to analyze deficiencies of European influence in the drafting process. Two main shortcomings thereof were the false deregulation and debureaucratization of gapa and the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach applied in all the countries of the Western Balkan region, in spite of inherent differences in their legal systems. The purpose of the criticism given in the paper is to avoid the same issues in the future, during the process of harmonization of Serbian law with the acquis communautaire.

Comparative Analysis of Agriculture Policies for Tobacco Planting and Processing, and the Correlation With the Illicit Production and Trade of Tobacco Products in Countries of the Western Balkans

Tobacco planting and processing has a long tradition in the Western Balkan region, including Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia; over the last 20 years, however, farmers have faced a significant decrease in production. In Montenegro and Kosovo, for example, the surfaces planted with tobacco are almost inconsequential.Agricultural policies and legal and procedural frameworks regulate all related processes, such as tobacco seed distribution, registration of farmers, disclosure of land farmed for tobacco, production yield, and the various collecting and processing stages, as well as the enforcement capacities of the related law enforcement institutions. These factors have significantly impacted tobacco production and trade, including the levels of illicit production and trade.This paper is based on empirical analysis, evaluation of the statistical data of tobacco-related state policies and country interviews related to tobacco production costs in the region, which affect sector-related policies.Our findings indicate that Albania has a lack of clear and coordinated policies, procedures, and enforcement capacities to regulate and monitor all processes, from planting to the processing and trade of tobacco. North Macedonia is in a much better situation in this regard and a new draft tobacco law, associated with a series of implementation regulations is expected to result in further improvements. In the Albanian case, strong evidence suggests that there are considerable tracts of land planted with tobacco and many illegal tobacco-processing plants.

The determinants of banks’ capital adequacy ratio: Evidence from Western Balkan countries

This research aims to evaluate the impacts of liquidity, profitability, size, loans and capital structure on banks’ capital adequacy ratio (CAR) in the Western Balkan region using annual data from 103 commercial banks operated in Western Balkan countries for the period between 2010 and 2018. Panel data fixed effect method is employed. The data comprises of a total 51 observations for panel least squares. The empirical findings obtained panel data regression show that profitability proxies by the return on asset (ROA) have the largest impact on CAR among other financial ratios. In addition, liquidity and size have statistically significant positive effects in determining capital adequacy ratio for the banks in the region, unlike leverage ratio. However, the leverage ratio has a negative impact on the capital adequacy ratio. The policy implications of this study suggest that in order to accomplish requirements for capital adequacy expectations are to have good indicators in regard to performance, liquidity and size.