Nominal, Structural and Real Convergence of the EU Candidate Countries’ Economies

Despite the significant academic interest in the economic cohesion, the various aspects of convergence and the ways they can be measured still remain theoretically unclear. These are issues of extreme political significance, especially for countries aspiring for EU and euro area membership. The goal of this paper is to consolidate a variety of theoretical views on the convergence and its measurement and use it as the basis to assess the progress and the current state of economic convergence to the EU of the four candidate countries. The interrelation between the three forms of convergence in the different phases of the economic cycle is studied and the slobs in the ways the convergence is measured are outlined. The study reveals large differences between the candidate countries in achieving convergence with the EU. Their experiences do not confirm the positive relationship between nominal and real convergence. The structural convergence considered as convergence of sectoral structure has but little impact on the real convergence.

Evaluating Relations between Originality, Efficiency, Conformism and Entrepreneurial Potential of Students in a Fast Changing Business Environment

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relations of originality, efficiency, conformism, and entrepreneurial potential. The sample consisted of a student population from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina as EU candidate countries and from the EU member country, Belgium. Research results can help policy makers receive valuable information on how to improve student attitude towards entrepreneurship. Data was collected from a sample of 1008 university students from these three countries. The Kirton Adaptation Innovation Inventory (KAI), Questionnaire on Entrepreneurial Traits (QET), and The Scale of Entrepreneurial Potential (SEP) were applied in the research in order to obtain data. Canonical correlation analysis revealed a significantly strong relation between originality, efficiency, conformism, and dimensions of the Entrepreneurial Traits model, as well as significant relation to the entrepreneurial potential model. Findings from this study may provide data that could be used to develop and foster the entrepreneurship potential of students and help improve the economy in the region.

What is the health-related burden of EU-Candidate Countries? A snapshot of public health indicators

Background Various studies have shown the ebb of the political spectrum when determining entry into the European Union. The objective of this study was to determine the key differences between the European Union (EU) and the current EU-candidate countries through the lens of the financial burden of the public healthcare system. Methods The most complete and available EUROSTAT data describing health-related burden (13 indicators) for current EU- candidate countries (Serbia, Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia and Montenegro) were evaluated and compared. Results Total health expenditures (Purchasing Parity Power) per capita in EU candidate countries is almost one-third of that in the EU. General government health expenditure for all four countries was below the EU average with Montenegro spending the highest and North Macedonia spending the least. Turkey, with a significantly higher gross domestic product (GDP), allocated the smallest percentage of its GDP on health (4.31%), while Serbia the highest percentage (8.55%), both being below the EU average (10%). The private health expenditure for all of the countries was higher than the EU average, with Serbia's proportion being double that of the EU average. Assessing the burden of disease for these countries, Serbia has the highest disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate per 100,000 (25,468.38), while the average DALY rate of the other three countries was 23,656.33 and the EU average was 16,390. Turkey and North Macedonia tying for the highest infant mortality rate, three times the EU average. Of the candidate countries, Serbia contains the highest density of physicians and nurses and Turkey, the lowest. Conclusions The process of entry to the EU is a varied experience for each country since attaining benchmark standards affects the time needed to achieve them. This study on a selected number of public health indicators contributes to the evidence on the current health-related burden of EU-candidate countries. Key messages All EU candidate countries have a much higher burden of disease and a much lower health workforce and health expenditure than the EU average. The challenge for countries in the accession process is to reach a level of quality and achievement in health care in the EU.

Evaluation of the Prosperity Levels of EU and EU Candidate Countries by Clustering and PSI Method

Although prosperity is often associated with the word wealth, it also includes other factors that may be independent of wealth, such as happiness and health. The prosperity state can be defined as a developing, growing, wealth state and a successful social status. Increasing the levels of prosperity is a goal of states. States can create communities in cooperation with other states to improve their level of prosperity. One of these communities is the European Union (EU), which is established by European states. This chapter evaluates the position of EU member states and EU candidate countries' prosperity levels compared to world states. In the study, 2018 Legatum Institute prosperity index of 149 countries was used. These countries are divided into groups by using clustering analysis from data mining techniques. The countries are evaluated using the Preference Selective Index (PSI).

Determinants of Income Inequality in EU Candidate Countries: A Panel Analysis

Despite increasing income per capita, the EU candidate and potential candidate countries remain confronted with high levels of income inequality. The purpose of our paper is to identify the main determinants of income inequality among the EU candidate countries. In addition to macroeconomic factors, we also analyze the impact of demographic variables to provide more reliable estimates. Using panel data analysis with fixed effects in the period 2005-2017 for three EU candidate countries (North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey) we find that the unemployment rate, the level of economic development and the investment rate are the main determinants whose increase leads to a bigger income differentiation in the analyzed countries. The government indebtedness has also a statistically significant, but a negative impact on income inequality. The other two macroeconomic variables in the model – the terms of trade and inflation are statistically insignificant. Among the demographic factors, population growth and education significantly affect income inequality among the EU candidate countries. The obtained results suggest that a sustainable economic growth combined with active measures in the labor market and the improvement of education level of the population could lead to more equal income distribution.

Significant improvement in cancer management in Europe

Background Cancer management represents one of the most complex disease management segments in health care. Quality National Cancer Control Programmes (NCCPs) play the key role in cancer management in responding to population needs by preventing, detecting and treating cancer only through adequate planning. An effective NCCP represents benefits for patients, citizens, health care providers, health systems and governments. Europe is still characterised by inequalities in cancer control both between and within countries. In response to this challenge, a generic list of evidence-based tools for efficient stewardship and measure of effects of the cancer control will be prepared. Methods A survey on the current state of NCCPs in EU Member States, EEA countries and EU candidate countries and on the presence of some key elements, which NCCPs should include, was conducted in 2018 in the frame of the Joint Action (JA) Innovative Partnership for Action Against Cancer (iPAAC). The completed surveys were analysed; the answers were compared with the report prepared on the basis of the survey carried out in 2011 in the frame of JA EPAAC. Results In total, 33 out of 34 EU Member States, some EEA countries and EU candidate countries completed the survey, the response rate was 97%. Thirty-one out of 33 countries reported that they have a NCCP or another relevant cancer document. Belgium does not have a NCCP, Croatia and Serbia prepared draft versions. The inclusion of patient pathways, quality indicators as well as PROMS in NCCPs is not satisfactory. Only 10 countries included PROMS in their NCCP. Conclusions On the basis of the preliminary results of the survey we conluded that the situation regarding NCCPs in Europe improved in comparison with the situation in 2011. EU countries have mostly adopted a NCCP, plan or strategy as a single or several documents. We aim at developing practical instructions for the successful governance and steering of cancer care in all EU Member States. Key messages The development of NCCPs represents added value for cancer patients in all EU Member States. The inclusion of patient pathways, quality indicators as well as patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) in NCCPs/cancer documents is not satisfactory.

Interest Rate Pass-Through in Three EU Candidate Countries: The Case of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia

The objective of the paper is to assess the interest rate pass-through in three EU candidate countries that is Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia. We rely on an error-correction model using monthly data over the period 2005-2019. Results suggest a complete interest rate pass-through in Albania, albeit it has been weakened during the economic and financial crisis. The relatively fast speed of adjustment indicates an effective interest rate transmission channel. In the Macedonian case, the changes of the monetary policy rate are transmitted completely to the bank lending rate, but not to the bank borrowing rate. The transmission via the money market rate has improved after the global economic and financial turmoil. In the case of Serbia, the results also suggest complete interest rate pass-through indicating that the monetary policy rate changes are transmitted into retail rates offered by the banks to savers and borrowers in the long run. Nevertheless, the speed of adjustment is relatively slow. In general, the estimated speed and extent of the response of money market interest rate and bank retail interest rates to changes in the monetary policy rate gives an indication of effective interest rate transmission channel in the case of Albania and Serbia. On the other hand, it is moderately effective in the case of North Macedonia given that the central bank rate changes affect mainly bank lending rate but not borrowing rate.