THE POLICY OF NAZI GERMANY ON THE TERRITORY OF THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA (1941 – 1944)

he article considers the policy of Nazi Germany in the occupied Crimea during 1941-1944. The study aims to study and analyze the features of the Nazi occupation regime on the territory of the Crimean peninsula. The author analyzes the plans of the Nazi leadership for the future of the Crimean peninsula in the postwar strategy of Berlin to the occupied territories, considers the main approaches in the implementation ofthe Generalplan OST. The basic concepts of the future position of the Crimean peninsula in the geostrategic calculations of the Third Reich are reflected. In particular, the plans of the Minister for the Eastern Occupied Territories A. Rosenberg, the calculations of the General Commissioner of “Tavria” A. Fraunfeld, the leader of the Nazi Labor Front R. Leigh, and future plans for the fate of the peninsula leader of the Third Reich – A. Hitler. The repressions against the local population and the attitude of the German administration to certain ethnic and political groups, in particular, to the Crimean Tatars, Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimean Tatars, were studied. The article reflects the activities of Einsatzgruppe D and its sounding teams in the Crimea. The consequences of ethnic cleansing of the Nazis in the Crimea are generalized and the course and features of the Holocaust on the territory of the peninsula are described. The issue of relations between the Crimean Tatars and the German occupation administration is covered separately. The course of hostilities for the Crimean peninsula is analyzed, the main milestones of the German-Soviet armed struggle for the Crimea are described. Revealing the issue in the context of hostilities between the Wehrmacht and the Red Army, the author attempted to explain the difficult position of the peninsula in the administrative structure of the occupiers and the main reasons for its long rule directly by the German military command. The aspect of administrative and territorial subordination of Crimea during the occupation has been studied. In general, the author made an attempt to comprehensively consider the policy of the Nazis in the Crimea in its various aspects and planes.

Formation of organizational and production structures in the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy in the conditions of European integration

The peculiarities of the formation of new organizational and production structures of the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy in terms of integration into the European Union are considered. One of the conditions for ensuring the competitiveness of Bulgarian agriculture was the creation of a significant number of farms of various organizational and legal forms. Peculiarities of creation and functioning of private agricultural enterprises against the background of privatization of former labor cooperatives and state farms with observance of a clearly regulated legislative procedure are studied. The peculiarities of creating private agricultural farms in two forms are generalized: private households and large agro-firms. Of course, there were some difficulties with the privatization of agricultural machinery, equipment, technical and farm buildings. Also, difficulties arose with the management of agricultural commodity production due to the long absence of a tradition of private property in agriculture. It is proved that one of the features of the formation of new organizational and production structures was their creation on the basis of decolectivization and privatization. The main task of this process was to create an efficient and competitive environment for the development of the agricultural sector. The basis of agricultural management in Bulgaria in the period 1996-2007 were private agricultural enterprises, which were more efficient in their activities than other organizational and legal forms of management. However, the imperfection of the management system of the agricultural sector did not allow to accelerate the process of productivity of the industry, to attract the latest scientific advances and more efficient use of logistics. In the pre-integration period, no program of management actions for the functioning of agricultural enterprises was developed, which did not contribute to the growth of their financial and economic indicators and the competitiveness of these farms.

Development of environmental diplomacy of the European Union

The article is devoted to the analysis of the development of environmental diplomacy of the European Union. Today environmental diplomacy has become an important way for states to promote their course of environmental diplomacy, to protect their environmental rights and interests, to promote their own economic and environmental development. The most striking example of the application of green diplomacy on a regional and global scale is the environmental policy implemented by EU member states. Within the EU there is a huge number of environmental programs for the development of renewable energy sources, protection of flora and fauna, as well as combating pollution of water and land resources. To implement its own environmental diplomacy, the EU has adopted a number of important regulations, which are analyzed in the article. The most thorough legal act in the field of environmental diplomacy was Council Directive 85/337 / EEC of 1985 on the assessment of the effects of public and private projects on the environment. This directive reflects the EU’s desire to draw the attention of government agencies and the public to environmental issues and to encourage their collective solution. EU environmental diplomacy is carried out through diplomatic missions, missions, delegations, as well as at the individual level. It involves European politicians and officials who are able to influence international public opinion, employees of foreign ministries and diplomatic missions. The EU also involves third countries as partners to discuss the most pressing environmental issues and their future solutions: climate change, biodiversity conservation, soil depletion, forest and water resources, and renewable energy. Environmental protection is one of the priority areas for European integration. States wishing to join the EU must meet its environmental standards and implement key principles of environmental legislation. It is noted that the EU countries are trying to transfer the economy to clean technologies and diplomatically encourage others to take measures to improve the environmental situation.

EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC AS A FACTOR OF MODERNIZATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY

On the basis of a wide range of documents the article analyzes main stages and factors of the Czech Republic integration with the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations. The author emphasizes that transition into a full NATO member in March 1999 was the result of a long, complicated and controversial process of «European Come Back», which started in the beginning of 1990’s and allowed the state’s government to solve a number of problems in the military-political and military-technical spheres. The article draws special attention to the results and consequences of the Czechia NATO membership, its participation in the structures and activities of the Alliance. Numerous facts provided in the paper allow to evaluate the state’s gains from the integration processes and to emphasize key tendencies, main challenges and new opportunities for the country. The study proves that Euro-Atlantic integration has contributed to the institutional and legal reconstruction of the entire system of foreign relations of the Czech Republic, has become an important stimulus to the transition to a democratic model of political system, stability and national security. The article examines the defense strategy of the Czech Republic, reveals its goals and objectives in the field of European security and defense at the present stage. It is noted that NATO Allies supported the proposal to update the 2010 Strategic Concept. Since its adoption the Alliance has faced a new security environment and Russia has turned from a potential strategic partner into an aggressor state. The Czech experience has revealed the advantages and vulnerabilities of the Euro-Atlantic vector. Last but not lease the article studies the causes of polyvariety of the Euro-Atlantic realities and prospects for Alliance enlargement. Based on the results of public opinion polls conducted by the Czech research organizations, the article examines the attitude of Czech political parties and citizens towards their country’s membership in NATO, the role of the North Atlantic Alliance in ensuring the security of the Czech Republic and international relations in general.

FEATURES OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF AGRARIAN RELATIONS IN BULGARIA AFTER ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (2007–2019)

The article reveals the peculiarities of the development of industrial relations in the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy in terms of its membership in the European Union. Thanks to the involvement of a wide range of statistical sources, it is determined that modern Bulgarian society is experiencing profound changes in socio-economic development, the response to which has brought the Bulgarian agricultural sector to a competitive level. It is determined that the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy had a rather difficult way of adapting production relations to European requirements. At the same time, Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union stimulated the development of agriculture, contributed to the introduction of the latest agro-technical production technologies, rational land use, improvement of agricultural products. The main trends in the development of the agricultural sector of the Bulgarian economy after the country’s accession to the EU and the transformation processes in the sector are analyzed. In addition, as a result of an in-depth analysis, it was proved that the Bulgarian agricultural sector on the verge of joining the EU had a number of problems that hindered the increase of its productivity and profitability. Following Bulgaria’s accession to the European Economic Area, the country had to take a number of measures to address the above-mentioned problem. In particular, it consisted in the adaptation of agricultural legislation, state support measures to European norms and standards of agricultural production to European norms and requirements. The deepening of European integration and the further accession of Bulgaria to the EU accelerated the transformation of agricultural production relations and the modernization of agriculture, which was accompanied by the adaptation and harmonization of the agricultural sector to increase its productivity.

Presidency of Germany in the European Union as factor of development of European integration process (the second half 2020)

The article is devoted to Germany’s presidency in the European Union in the second half of 2020. This was a critical period in the modern history of the process of European integration. Conflicting tendencies emerged during the negotiations on the terms of the Brexit. The budget policy of the European Union required approval. The key tasks of the German presidency were the internal problems of the European Union. But it was not possible to focus exclusively on immanent issues. The pandemic has exacerbated international problems. German diplomacy joined in the settlement of the Greek-Turkish controversy. Germany and France have reached a common position on an agreement on the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the Brexit. Germany has reached a compromise on the adoption of the European Union budget for the period up to 2027. A large fund was created to support the European economy during the pandemic. Germany has set trends for the development of the European Union’s relations with key partners: the United States, Russia, and China. Germany welcomed Joseph Biden’s victory in the US presidential election. The European Union is considering resuming negotiations on a transatlantic free trade area with the United States. The EU and the US are ready to renew the Euro-Atlantic partnership. The interaction between the EU and the US is designed to protect liberal democracy in the modern world. With the assistance of Germany, the European Union has signed an investment agreement with China. Beijing has pledged to introduce social security guarantees and limit human rights abuses. Russia’s authoritarian threats remain a challenge to the European integration process. During Germany’s presidency of the European Union, the results of the presidential election in Belarus and the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny became conflicting issues. The German presidency was successful. In the internal policy of the European Union it was possible to form a strategy of ecological renewal of the European economy. The success of the environmental modernization of the EU economy systematically depends on the internal capacity of elites and European societies to implement this course and on the favorable balance of power in a globalized world.

English antiques in the historiographical tradition

The history of English antiquarianism is particular importance in the study of the process of formation of national identity and the preservation of national heritage. The purpose of the article is to analyze and systematize the corpus of historiographical works on the problems of history and historiography of English antiques, to define the role of the Society of Antiquaries of London in the formation of British identity and patriotism. Scientific tasks of the article are to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the historiographic works on the problems of the origin and formation of the English tradition of antiquity and antiquities, to outline the main stages of the formation of the oldest society of antiques. The novelty and degree of development follows from the fact that today in Ukrainian historical science there are no generalizing works on the history and historiography of English antiquaries and the London Society of Antiquaries. However, there is a corpus of historiographical works on the individual components of this complex problem. The antiquarian classes of the eighteenth century cannot be dismissed as unconvincing dilettantism, detached from modern life, or confronting the spirit of the Enlightenment. Antiquarianism was of great importance, both in practical and cultural life in Britain. It embodied the nostalgia of years past for those who feared the coming changes, but equally it could serve as an illustration of the past, demonstrating the progress of the present and the unquestionable superiority of the modern century over the backwardness of past times. At the same time, antiquaries made a clear contribution to the formation of British identity and famous English patriotism. Their merits in the field of culture and the arts are also difficult to overestimate: they contributed to the development of the printing business, the art of book design, and infected their enthusiasm with artists, painters, engravers who, through them, became passionate fans of the medieval past of Britain.

The main trends in the formation of the Great Britain’s foreign policy after Brexit

The article deals with the peculiarities of forming the new trends in the British foreign policy, due to the results of the referendum on Brexit and the country’s withdrawal from the European Union. Formation of the strategic priorities for the UK foreign policy course is becoming one of the most important tasks for the political, diplomatic and expert circles. The refusal to develop a common foreign policy of the EU as a result of Brexit, sets the essential challenge for Britain: to maintain existing influence and allied relations with continental European states (primarily, due to the strengthening of bilateral relations and the preservation of the Euro-Atlantic alliance), and at the same time to establish itself as an independent center of influence, not limited to the collective will of the EU. The main provisions of the “Global Britain” concept, presented in 2016 as the doctrinal basis of the foreign policy dimension of Brexit, are analyzed. The most significant of them are the next: the promotion of the UK`s economic and security interests around the world as the basis of foreign and security policy; alliance with the United States as a major foreign policy and security priority; rethinking the partnership with the EU and giving it a new depth in the name of protecting the international order and common values; the development of cooperation within the Commonwealth to strengthen Britain’s international presence and global influence. The author identifies the key foreign policy positions of London, which are not reflected in the concept presently, but will be of key importance for the European and global securities in the short and medium terms. The positions of leading regional and world players are analyzed, the risks of aggravation of relations with Russia and China are assessed. It is summarized that because of the new global threats and risks (first of all COVID-19 pandemic and its global impact and economic consequences) the “Global Britain” concept is still in its forming.

General of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Oleksandr Pylkevych (“camp” period of life and activity in Poland, 1921-1922)

The article analyses the last period of life and activity of the head of the Separate Corps of Border Guards General O. Pylkevych during the internment of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in camps in Poland (1921–1922). Being in various command positions, O. Pylkevych always remained true to himself and his own principles – in relation to subordinates he was consistently demanding and unyielding, while adhering to the requirements of military statutes. O. Pylkevych believed that one of the basic requirements during military service is the discipline of officers and Cossacks, their observance of subordination, their conscientious execution of all orders of direct commanders and senior military commanders. It is necessary to emphasize the sincere patriotism of O. Pylkevych and his complete devotion to the ideas of the UPR – he made every effort to unite the nationally conscious core of the Ukrainian army, supporting the idea of creating a community of officers as an additional tool to influence the demoralized part of the camp. The general also took care of the development of public centres designed to intensify cultural and educational work in the ranks of the interned troops of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. But the general did not always have enough tact and diplomacy in communicating with certain representatives of the Polish military authorities in the camps, and his excessive categoricalness sometimes caused disapproval among some of the top officials of the UPR Army. As a result of O. Pylkevych’s inability to build business relations with the Polish camp authorities, he was twice removed from the post of head of the internee groups in Lancut. At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize the expressive patriotism of O. Pylkevych – he made every effort to unite the nationally conscious core of the Ukrainian army in the camps, supporting the idea of creating a community of officers as an additional tool to influence the demoralized part of the camp. The general also took care of the development of public centres designed to intensify cultural and educational work in the ranks of the interned troops of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Throughout his stay in the camps, O. Pylkevych was an example of conscientious performance of military duty, subordinating his life to the interests of the interned Ukrainian army.

The analysis of the images of antiquity in M. Robespierre’s political writings during the early years of the French revolution (1789–1791)

This research attempts to reassess the significance of the images of classical antiquity in Maximilien Robespierre’s political writings of 1789–1791 by analyzing their context, frequency, and their objectives for use and by creating statistical data to demonstrate main tendencies and patterns. It is necessary to admit that classical antiquity largely contributed to European culture by defining its basic virtues and vices and creating role models for future generations. Allusions and references to classical antiquity can be easily traced throughout European history. The French Revolution wasn’t an exception while its classical ancient traditions were clearly expressed in visual sources, political writings, and even in everyday life. It is commonly considered that the Jacobins used a large number of classical antiquity images in their political writings. We have to pay special attention to M. Robespierre as he was largely associated with the Jacobin party during the French Revolution as well as nowadays. However, the images of classical antiquity in his political writings are not regarded as an area of interest. Even if there are a few historical writings focused on this topic, they are usually concentrated on the Reign of Terror (1793–1794) while the period of the early Revolutionary years (1789–1791) is often neglected. In order to change this disproportion our research covers this very period. The results of our analysis proved the significance of the classical antiquity images in M. Robespierre’s political writings providing a set of statistical data and describing its main tendencies. It was proved that the number of references increases each year, pointing out that M. Robespierre clearly understood the differences between antiquity and his times even in the early years of the French Revolution. In addition to this, the research put forward authors’ classification of the classical antiquity images and demonstrating the predominance of some image types.