The Hub: International Perspectives

Essay on the Innovation and Intellectual Property System in Vietnam

In the last two decades, Vietnam has gone through major changes in economic system and institutional system. These changes have sky-rocked the growth of non-SOE and attracted more foreign investments, while decreasing a considerable number of SOE through process of privatization or dissolve. In 2009, non-SOEs were accounted for over 96% of total firms and contributed about 46% to the GDP, while foreign firms and SOE were accounted about 2.4% and 1.6% of total firms, but respectively contributed 19% and 35% to GDP.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - 10:39 By: Vu Tuan Anh, Vietnamica

Georgia stands to lose in gamble over Abkhaz railway

State Minister for Reintegration Paata Zakareishvili recently announced that the railway passing through Abkhazia and connecting Russia with Georgia should be opened without any pre-conditions. It looks like this is not only his personal position, but a decision supported by Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream coalition. Conversely, the leader of United National Movement (UNM) opposition party, Mikheil Saakashvili, insists on the de-occupation of Abkhazia as the main precondition for opening the railways.

Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 11:48 By: Zaza Gachechiladze, Editor of The Messenger

The natural hit of the economic crisis – a discussion on global systems’ robustness and resilience

The world seems to be caught in a vortex of bifurcations, that may land us in a very different environment, with much more uncertainty and perils.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 - 10:34 By: Daniel Daianu

Macedonian opposition: EU ignores democratic backslide

Macedonia's leading opposition party has accused the European Union of overlooking threats to democracy in the country, as anti-government protests continued yesterday (3 January) for the 11th day.

Friday, January 4, 2013 - 10:20 By: EurActiv

Drawing the red line in Georgian-Russian relations

Georgia’s new government is taking its first steps in building a new relationship between Georgia and its northern neighbor. However, opinions vary on the likelihood of its success. Some analysts predict that the dialogue between Moscow and Tbilisi will be very modest and will be limited to improved economic, trade and cultural relations. Others believe that the new Georgian government will make significant concessions in this pursuit to achieve its goals. The Georgian Dream however, believes that it will successfully manage a deal with Russia.

Thursday, December 13, 2012 - 10:58 By: Zaza Gachechiladze, Editor of The Messenger

How Can Iraqi Kurdish Energy Exports be Realized and Barriers Overcome?

The abundant oil and natural gas resources in Iraq’s Kurdistan region are both attractive and problematic. Hydrocarbon trade in the region has met some juridical setbacks due to a lack of consensus between the Iraq’s federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) regarding the sharing of hydrocarbon revenues.

Friday, December 7, 2012 - 10:33 By: Olgu Okumuş, Natural Gas Europe

Putin to visit Brussels as 'Eurasian Union' leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the EU-Russia summit in Brussels later this month. But he will make sure his hosts welcome him as the representative of the Eurasian Union - Putin's pet geopolitical project, which bears similarities to the EU.

The date of the summit is still a “working” hypothesis, but diplomats told EurActiv they were quite confident that Putin will be in Brussels on 21 December.

Thursday, December 6, 2012 - 09:09 By: Georgi Gotev, originally published by EurActiv

The Chilly Wind of Crisis

Europe's technocrats might solve the economic conundrum, but they cannot restore trust between Europe and its citizens. We need a charismatic, democratic leader before illiberal and nationalistic forces gain ground.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - 09:18 By: Federico Castiglioni, The European

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