Political and economic news with a Baltic accent

Our correspondents learned that the adviser to the Prime Minister of Armenia on foreign policy Arsen Haratyan wrote a letter of resignation at his own request. However, according to sources in the National Security Service of Armenia, it became known that Haratyan was detained during a special operation to suppress illicit drug trafficking. A politician discovered a package of cocaine…

A criminal case was instituted against the adviser. There are witnesses who claim that the adviser to the prime minister behaved defiantly and aggressively at the time of detention. Moreover, Arsen Haratyan constantly threatened to call his boss …
The adviser managed to distribute several interviews, in which he accused the former President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan of being arrested, and also ranked himself among the leaders of the revolutionary movement. The prime minister nevertheless stood up for the careless assistant after replacing the arrest with a written undertaking not to leave the house and partial house arrest.
However, no one canceled the resignation of the adviser. Another thing is that Arsen Haratyan insists that leaving the cabinet is connected solely with the fact that his family lives in Tbilisi. In addition, Arsen needs time to rethink all that happened to him for 3 months of public service. Three months!
And for these three months there is something to remember and Arsen Kharatyan and other witnesses of the adventures of the Armenian leadership. For example, according to participants of government parties, the company Arsen was regularly – Anna Hakobyan – the wife of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikola Pashinyan. A wife, unlike an adviser, can not be fired, then there is something to think about. Including the slackness and sloppiness that now reigns in the government of Armenia.
This unattractive history also has its own winners. For example, the head of the National Security Service of Armenia, Artur Vanetsyan, who brought all this to the masses and even gave a move to criminal cases. In Armenia, public opinion is already being formed that only Artut Vanetsyan is able to bring at least some order in the highest echelons of Armenian power.
But most importantly, similar stories occur against the background of the economic crisis in the country. Reforms are not carried out, the economy stands still, the promised changes remain promises. Moreover, insiders in the Armenian government say that there is a reduction in wages, including that of civil servants and even military personnel. In such a situation, corruption will only grow, and the prime minister will initiate arrests and criminal cases, me approximated as gloves. Or … corruption will become an instrument for fighting political rivals. It seems that we are witnessing the establishment in Armenia of an old and extremely popular South American scheme of using the popular factor in the people’s struggle against corruption for their own purposes. And the goal here is to raise one’s own political authority and get huge dividends on the eve of the parliamentary elections.

Our correspondents have covered the political problems in Yerevan several times. This time they managed to find a record of the telephone conversation of the representatives of the power structures of Armenia. Currently, we are working with our experts in this region to form an expert assessment and a full-fledged material. 

Below you can find a link to a phone conversation between National Security Service chief Arthur Vanetsyan and the head of Special Investigation Service Sasun Khachatryan.

VIDEO: Conversation between Armenian National Security Service chief and the head of Special Investigation Service of Armenia.

To be continued…

 

The homeland of Ikea and Volvo begins to look just as vulnerable to populist movements as Italy, Hungary and the United States.

Bastion of well-being and equality, Sweden faces the elections on Sunday, which may be the most stormy during the century. As in other democracies around the world, the institution is challenged on several fronts. The dominant Social Democrats are leading the worst result, since the universal vote began in 1921. The biggest opposition party, the conservative group Moderates, can see that its support has been reduced to about half of the electoral support that it used at the beginning of this decade.

For a country that prides itself on stability and is seen as a model of social democracy throughout the world, it is difficult to understand. But voters are now flocking to a party that was born out of a neo-Nazi Belarussian movement over white.

The Swedish democrats, whose stated goal is to wrest their country from the European Union, were able to win about 20 percent of the votes on September 9. Fifteen years ago they were not even big enough to get into parliament. Meanwhile, the other end of the political spectrum is also ready for prosperity, as the former communist leftist party won almost 10 percent.

The vote could put an end to the domination of Sweden’s two main political blocs, which defended centrist policy throughout the last century. Uncertainty frightened investors, helping to weaken the kroon to a level that had not been observed since the global financial crisis.

The installed parties pull out all the stops in an attempt to preserve the status quo. Moderators are promising tax breaks, and the Social Democrats offer families an additional week of work. Both want to increase spending on health and education. They also commit themselves to fighting crime and further restricting immigration, allowing Swedish democrats to debate.

“I’ve been following politics for 50 years and I’ve never seen so many disparate and partly panic games from parties like last week,” said Marya Lemn, a political scientist at the University of Sodernern. “Most of the parties were struck by panic.”

So what’s the matter with Sweden? The nationalist earthquake coincided with a record influx of migrants and refugees. Over the past five years, about 600,000 people were flooded into the country, of which 10 million were imposed, straining public coffers and increasing unemployment.

Voters now rebel against the course established by former Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, who at the beginning of the refugee crisis in 2014 called on the Swedes to “open their hearts” to the newcomers.

For a long time, Sweden considered itself a moral superpower, keen on reading others about social equality and human rights. This will certainly be more difficult now, given the ascent to a side that wants to block asylum seekers and turn away from the EU.

There is also an economic analysis that suggests that Sweden is experiencing the same reaction against globalization that has harmed voters everywhere, as they relate to growing inequality and stagnant wages. Sweden is one of the richest and most equal countries in the world, but even there the income gap has grown.

A recent analysis by Olle Folke, a teacher at the University of Uppsala and Thorsten Persson and Johanna Reekn at the University of Stockholm, among other things, accused the growth of the Swedish democrats in reducing taxes and welfare that began in 2006, as well as in the financial crisis. According to the study, new supporters of the party can be found among voters whose standard of living has deteriorated, in relative terms, since 2006.

Strict budgetary rules and a political deadlock also restrain the country’s recovery from the financial crisis. The government headed by Social Democracy created surpluses and reduced public debt to levels that had not been observed since the 1970s. Meanwhile, unemployment fell slowly, exceeding 6 percent.

“It would be naive to believe that the political situation has nothing to do with budgetary savings in recent years,” said Andreas Wallstrom, an analyst at Nordea Bank.

From September 11 to September 13, in Vladivostok, Russia, the Eastern Economic Forum will be held, which, against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions between Moscow and the West, is of indisputable interest. For example, the opinion of businessmen regarding the prospects for the development of their business in Russia, investment in the Russian economy and possible partnership with the Russian government will be interesting.

It should be noted that even before the start of the Eastern Economic Forum, we can partially answer this question. We will be assisted in this by Freeport-McMoRan, which, despite US sanctions and Washington’s tough stance on Moscow, intends to conclude several highly profitable deals for itself.

All of us, Europeans, know perfectly well that the tone and degree of anti-Russian rhetoric is set by the United States and Great Britain. And, the first has a clear motive, and the second just a desire to indulge. The US motive is quite obvious. In Washington, they really want to quarrel between Europe and Russia, so that there will be no talk of any trade and economic relations. Then you and “Nord Stream 2”, and the food embargo and other barriers. In such a situation, Washington can, with more profit for itself, be friends with both Europe and Russia. And here again we return to the company Freeport-McMoRan, which plans during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok to obtain priority rights to invest in the development of gold-bearing and copper-porphyry deposits in the Far East of the Russian Federation. Thus, politically protecting its European competitors from the very idea of ​​investing in this project, the American company is quite capable of obtaining such a tasty morsel in the territory of the Russian Federation.

While European companies think how well they are dancing on American bagpipes, US corporations are taking the whole pie. In this regard, I want to advise European companies to think about money and their own future, and not about other people’s pre-election dances.

The Eastern Economic Forum is first of all an opportunity for business to find new sources of development and investment objects in an attractive region. If you understand this, you can pick up your piece of cake.

The Ukrainian government sent a resonant bill on education to the Venice Commission, which the Rada adopted on September 5 last year. Some articles of the project provide for instruction in the language of ethnic minorities only in primary classes, which caused a real diplomatic scandal. So, for example, the president of Romania Klaus Johannis even canceled the visit planned for October of this year to Ukraine. Hungary, Poland, Russia and Moldova also expressed their outrage at the official Kiev. Moreover, because of the protests of the Hungarian and Romanian communities was withdrawn before the examination in the EU.

The former head of the advisory committee of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of Rights of National Minorities Francesco Palermo believes that Ukraine risks crossing the line, beyond which a direct violation of the right to free communication begins.

The Ukrainian Law “On Education” has placed the Russian language in a worse situation than other minority languages, due to the fact that it is separately mentioned in the Constitution. The article of the new law allows for a less favorable attitude to languages ​​that are not official in the European Union, in particular to the Russian, believe in the Venice Commission. Legally the position of the Russian language in Ukraine is now worse than that of the languages ​​of the EU member states.

In Ukraine, the epic continues with the rights of the Russian-speaking population. This time the statement on the position of the Russian language was made by the Secretary of the Venice Commission Thomas Markert. The expert acknowledged that representatives of national minorities who speak Russian in accordance with the adopted law were in the worst situation in the issue of the right to learn in their native language in Ukraine in comparison with representatives of ethnic minorities who speak European languages.

“Here it is necessary to clearly divide into two parts – according to the languages ​​of minorities speaking the EU languages, and in relation to others. The difference between the norms of the law in relation to these groups is too great, the latter were in a much worse situation than the first. And, it seems, there are problems with observing the Constitution of Ukraine, which separately mentions the Russian language, and does not remember others. Therefore, legally there is a problem with the fact that under the law “On Education” the Russian language was in a worse situation, “he said. The expert also stressed that Ukraine must fulfill its international obligations by allowing the work of private schools with instruction in the language of national minorities. According to him, with regard to European languages ​​(Hungarian or Romanian), the solution can be found with the help of new laws, by-laws or special instructions of the Ministry of Education. Influence on “non-European” languages ​​The European Union is not legal, but “can only state the fact of oppression.” Ukraine after the conclusion of the Venice Commission on the language of the law on education should begin a dialogue with representatives of national minorities who speak EU languages ​​in order to agree on the conditions for teaching in schools, says Markert. The “soft-hearted” West, did not insist on changing the article of this Law, but only “recommended Ukraine to take measures to prevent discrimination of the languages ​​of national minorities.

Meanwhile, Hungary expects from Ukraine legal guarantees that the application of the new Law “On Education” will begin after reaching an agreement with the Hungarian national minority of Transcarpathia, as stated by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Siyarto. Siyarto also stressed that “in the absence of legal guarantees, Hungary retains its decision to block all existing international initiatives of Ukraine within the European Union and NATO.”

The commission noted the framework nature of the article of the law and expressed the hope that other legislative acts will promote the protection of the rights of national minorities in Ukraine. Along with this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavel Klimkin, said that official Kiev “the conclusions of the EU on the rights of the Russian language in Ukraine can be ignored.” Klimkin made it clear that no one will make concessions on the contradictory law. It turns out that Kiev does not intend to change this law “to Europe.” Ex-Minister of Justice of Ukraine Elena Lukash is sure that Kiev does not understand with what “fire is playing.” “So far the EU considers the current command of power” its son of a bitch “, on many of whose actions are closing their eyes. But every patience has a limit. The ruling regime is one step away from losing international legitimacy and becoming unfriendly and even toxic to the EU. Failure to comply with the decisions of the Venice Commission on the law on education brings the European Union closer to a change in attitude, “- assured Elena Lukash.

In this context, experts believe that Ukraine’s de-Russification takes place not only on linguistic, cultural, but also on ethnic levels. Independence of Donbass will complete this process, rejecting the majority of Ukrainians of Russian origin and making from Ukraine what it never was: a European country. As the experts note, after the law on language, a wave of protests swept through several large cities in the east of the country. These demonstrations became a prerequisite for the Ukrainian civil war, which became the cornerstone of Ukraine’s policy of derusification. The branch of Donbass allows Kiev to “neutralize” the majority of the “pro-Russian” electorate of the country, so it is likely that the current blockade of the Minsk agreements will continue until the presidential elections in Ukraine on March 31, 2019.

Roman Katsko

Across Europe, a wave of migrants from war-stricken parts of the world has, since the beginning of the 2015 refugee crisis, washed over national borders. Resulting demographic change has inflamed vigorous debate about the extent to which borders should be controlled and open-migration allowed. In Estonia, a modest migration trend has reversed long-term population decline. In 2015, for the first time in 25 years, Estonia experienced greater immigration than emigration.

While an increase in migration may benefit Estonia in the short term through population gains and greater economic productivity, new long- term challenges arise related to social cohesion and poverty. The report “Estonia in the Age of Migration” addresses important questions about the persistence of Estonian culture (especially language), education, social cohesion and equality, employment, and economic and migration policy in the face of changing attitudes about migration in Europe. The report is part of the annual series of thematic Human Development Reports, which were important barometers of Estonia’s post-socialist transition during the years following the disintegration of the Soviet Union and have remained a part of national pride.

Well-being in Estonia is improving quickly, but inequalities persist

The Human Development Index (HDI), which measures human well-being through various indicators (including health, education, and per capita income), helps demonstrate the long-term effects of national policy and structural decisions. From 1990 to 2015, only two other EU Member States have increased their HDI faster than Estonia. Within the new Member States, only two other countries have higher HDI values.

HDI values in Estonia reveal positive outcomes from decisions in Estonia over the last 25 years. Nevertheless, inequalities born out of rapid growth and globalisation of the early 1990s have persisted; only three other countries in the EU Member States have greater measures of inequality (using Gini coefficients). Inequality in Estonia is often geographically based, resulting from over-employment in the agricultural sector during the Soviet Era. After the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991 and the establishment of a market economy, jobs in agriculture decreased rapidly. This left rural residents with lower opportunity for employment, while residents of Estonia’s cities fared relatively better in the new market economy. Today, income per inhabitant in Estonia’s cities is higher than the EU average, while income per inhabitant in the country’s rural areas is below the EU average.

The number of immigrants and emigrants has balanced, but the ethnic makeup of the population is changing due to migration

Although immigration now exceeds emigration, emigration rates continue to be high. Persisting inequalities are likely the cause of emigration, as people from rural areas and those with low incomes are overrepresented in the population of residents leaving Estonia. Nevertheless, an overall increase in well-being in Estonia has made it a desirable place for migrant relocation.

Immigrants to Estonia can be divided into four categories: people returning to Estonia, people from territory of the former Soviet Union (e.g. Russia and Ukraine), people from other EU Member States, and people from the rest of the world. About half of all immigrants come from the first group. Those from countries in the former Soviet Union make up about a third of all immigrants, while those from other EU Member States and the rest of the world each make up about one-tenth of the incoming population.

Estonian residents at home and abroad are part of a transnational Estonia

As technology and cheaper travel close the distance between people and their homelands, the relationship between emigrants around the world and Estonia becomes stronger. Transnationalism, in which individuals and companies engage in simultaneous activities in numerous countries, has become increasingly prevalent in Estonia. While transnationalism brings about new challenges such as families living apart, taxation of companies, and citizenship and identity, it also creates new opportunity. From an economic perspective, it is advantageous for Estonia to be connected with the greatest number of global supply chains. Transnationalism opens up new avenues for Estonian businesses to work across borders and expand operations internationally, while investors from around the world bring money into the Estonian economy.

In a broader sense, transnationalism means that Estonia, as a cultural and economic entity constituted by Estonians, has expanded outside the country’s physical borders into nations around the world. At the same time, Estonia is increasingly becoming a place where businesses and citizens of other countries operate. The “triple-win” of transnationalism occurs, as described in the Human Development Report, when the “home country gains through increased employment and national income, the host country gains through labour supply without having to deal with the issues of immigration and integration, and the migrant workers gains through higher income and new experiences”. This “win” can also produce problems, such as increasing inequality of experience; those who have opportunities to travel, work, and study abroad often gain new experiences that give them adaptability with new situations and people who are different from themselves. This “mobility capital” can open up new career avenues that might otherwise be unavailable to those without travel opportunity.

An educational system based on the Estonian language while simultaneously valuing other languages ensures a cohesive society

Despite increasing immigration, Estonia has actually become more “Estonian” in the last 25 years as the share of ethnic Estonians has decreased by a smaller amount than the share of other ethnic groups in the country. However, ethnic change has exacerbated existing ethnic segregation in Estonia. Since the Soviet era, Estonian schools have been divided into Russian-medium and Estonian-medium formats, which tends to segregate the population—starting at an early age—along cultural and linguistic lines. Today, new immigrants from EU Member States usually choose to send their children to English-medium schools, even if they live among the Estonian majority population. Immigrants from countries east of Estonia tend to send their children to Russian-medium schools. Both of these choices amplify the language-based cultural divides in Estonian society.

The segregation of children into Russian- and Estonian-medium schools produces inequalities later in life; academic performance of Russian-medium pupils is lower than their Estonian counterparts, and a large share of Russian-speaking youth do not enter Estonian universities. Aside from poorer educational outcomes, the division of education by language in Estonia produces two subgroups of Estonians who do not share a common culture and are less likely to form social networks and shared values. Language- based segregation carries over into earnings potential; Russian-speakers with lower school performance are unable to attend Estonian universities because of language barriers and are likely to have lower incomes than their Estonian-speaking counterparts. Lower economic status in turn leads to residential segregation, which then exacerbates cultural and social segregation.

A proposed solution for breaking this cycle of social and economic segregation is the creation of Estonian policy that enables a unified schooling system based on the Estonian language, but takes into account the diversity of languages spoken by Estonians.

Higher birth rates and positive net migration are needed to prevent future population decrease

In the long-term view, if Estonia is to maintain its current population of about 1.4 million people, net immigration must stay positive and birth rates must increase. In the short-term view, the generation of Estonians born in the 1990s is only half the size of the generation born in the 1980s, meaning the country is soon likely to enter a labour shortage. Immigration may be the answer to this shortage. However, forecasts in the Human Development Report suggest that more immigrants are needed to address this shortage than Estonian society is actually able to integrate. Therefore, additional measures outside of immigration need to be taken to fill this gap.

One of these measures includes ensuring the Russian-speaking population increases its contribution in the labour market, a goal achieved in part through the unification of the school system as well as other policies that encourage larger families, extend the retirement age, and find work for under-employed populations.

Estonia must introduce active immigration policy

Immigration should play a role in addressing the labour gap, as increasing labour force participation and birth rates cannot do it alone. Therefore, an active immigration policy is needed that both encourages Estonians to return to their homeland and selectively introduces new migrants into the country based on labour needs. Although the decline of the working-age population will likely mean an increasing need for manual workers, smart technology and automation may eliminate many less desirable blue-collar jobs. As part of the strategy for ensuring social cohesion, the report argues that immigrants must not be seen as simply a labour force that has entered the country to carry out the jobs that Estonians want to avoid. Rather, an active immigration policy should facilitate social integration by luring immigrants with digital literacy, creativity, and skills.

Two pillars would support a new active immigration policy: a point system and student mobility. Point systems would test a migrant’s potential to integrate into both the labour market and society based on a number of factors, like education, language proficiency, age, work experience, family ties and more. However, responsibility for ensuring integration into the labour market and society would not fall solely on the shoulders of migrants. The employers whose needs are being met by incoming migrants would also have a role in taking responsibility for their new employees’ integration. The other pillar, student mobility, encourages students who have studied in Estonia to remain in or return to Estonia after graduation, thus increasing the number of top professionals who are already familiar with Estonian society.

Estonian language and culture can only be preserved if people continue to practice them

As diversity in Estonia increases, and Estonians themselves resettle in other parts of the world, Estonian culture may need to adapt. The foundation of Estonian culture is the Estonian language, but for Estonian youth to be successful in a transnational economy, the diversity of languages spoken by Estonians must increase. At the same time, if Estonian culture is to flourish, innovative forms of “meaning creation”, perhaps taking advantage of Estonia’s digital culture, must be realized. Estonians across the world can and should feel a part of the Estonian culture, which may be achieved by envisioning a new open and accessible participation-centred culture. The declining number of Estonian-speaking residents in Estonia may seem to foreshadow the loss of Estonian language and culture. Nevertheless, the perpetuation of these values is secure as long as the Estonian people commit to actively practicing their language and culture and sharing it with future generations.

Brendan Seney, Daniel Baldwin Hess

Just as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fulminates against the United States again, blaming Washington for his country’s worsening economic troubles, a small controversy has erupted in the Netherlands over Turkish influence in the country.

It came to light earlier this week that Turkey is planning to fund special Dutch schools to teach residents of Turkish origin about their heritage. The idea has sparked alarm among some Dutch politicians and their followers on both the left and the right, who worry about what, exactly, Erdogan’s government intends to teach in these schools, which would operate on weekends across the Netherlands.

The debate is yet another sign of the increasingly contentious relationship between Ankara and its European neighbors and NATO allies, one that is being shaped by multiple forces, from diplomatic and security concerns to social and corporate pressures.

Frida Ghitis

Moldova is the most underestimated problem in Europe. It is Moldova that has the right to wear the title of hidden and shadow player, posing as something different than this country is. What is the secret of Chisinau and its position on the geopolitical map of the world?

Let’s start with internal problems. In fact, in Moldova at the present time there is a dual power. From one country, the country is led by the popularly elected president Igor Dodon, and on the other hand, the oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc rules. Plahotniuc’s influence on the political elite of the country is so high that it is an impossible mission to find willing to argue with him. The population of Moldova considers Vladimir Plahotniuc to be real criminals and a corrupt man who seized the country in his criminal interests. A huge number of independent bloggers, journalists, political scientists and public figures have long been trying to get from Europe a consolidated response to the criminal activities of the oligarch.
The slowness of Europe on this issue could turn into a huge mistake for Brussels, Berlin and Paris, since if we do not take the necessary measures now, Moscow may be the first to stop Plahotniuc. And if Russia does this, then the Moldovan population will not only look towards the eastern neighbor, but look for support there in everything. Moreover, Moscow can submit the passivity of Europe and the US, as weakness and even complicity in the criminal affairs of Plahotniuc …

In addition to the purely criminal acts, Plahotniuc is involved in the theft of 1 billion US dollars from the banking system of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the withdrawal through the Moldovan financial institutions of $ 22 billion from the Russian Federation. And this is only part of Mr. Plahotniuc’s “business”.
The criminal character of the oligarch’s activity is also manifested in the criminal prosecution of the Moldovan opposition, whose representatives mostly flee to Europe.
At present, any foreign investment in Moldova is an investment in the criminal corruption-oligarchic regime of Plahotniuc.
Plahotniuc violates the rights and freedoms of the Moldovan population. So, for example, on June 19, 2017, lawyers hired by Plahotniuc, obtained recognition of the election results of the Mayor of Chisinau as invalid.
It’s rather strange to see how Brussels and Washington do not see that Plahotniuc uses them for personal gain in order to maintain his influence in Moldova. Convincing the Europeans in their desire to oppose Russian influence in Moldova, Plahotniuc, who has Russian citizenship, along with Moldovan President Igor Dodon, may well play a double game and secretly cooperate with Moscow.
Is it not time for us to reflect on the revision of the level of importance of Moldova in the political agenda of Europe?

Leo Kastelic

Despite the geopolitical confrontation, the raw and trade wars, Ukraine, Crimea, antagonism or friendship between Trump and Putin, the whole world is unanimous in assessing Russia as host of the 2018 World Cup. The last championship is called “the best in history”, and Russia is recognized in love athletes, journalists, politicians and simple fans.

We bring to your attention the most vivid and iconic opinions from Europe, North America and Africa.

“Really, madly, deeply. We will miss this World Cup like no other. In order to secure a status of the best World Cup ever, he needed a memorable finale. In addition, he was. From Russia with love. What a world championship it was! Moreover, it ends with worthy winners, “- writes the British edition of The Telegraph. Employees of the Washington Post believe that the World Cup 2018 broke stereotypes about Russia. Appreciated the capital’s correspondents and the organization of the championship, saying that it is even better than it was at the 2014 Olympics.

“A well-organized, festive and friendly world championship showed open and modern Russia – contrary to the prevailing ideas abroad about an inhospitable, remote and slightly backward country,” the newspaper writes.

The New York Times is confident that the 2018 World Cup will leave an indelible imprint for a long time. “Everybody recognizes that the 2018 World Cup in Russia was not just a good or a wonderful championship. In fact, it was the best World Cup. Definitely, it was not only an exciting, but also very important championship, its broader consequences, we may feel for a few more years, “- noted in the article New York Times.

In addition, the publication of the Independent is almost ready to apologize for prejudice against Russia. However, the tremendous World Cup cannot cut off the “harsh reality,” believe in the publication.

“We all rejoice take note and we are a little ashamed for the fact that Russia, which we saw, was hospitable, organized, modern, responsive and ready to have fun. Of course, after this love for Russia, we will return to reality. No fan love can hide serious political problems; critics will say that Vladimir Putin took advantage of the championship to improve his image abroad. Nevertheless, in the glorious summer of 2018, Russia looked at the World Cup as well as possible – and the world smiled back at her, “writes the Independent.

In addition to the media, direct participants also made their assessments of the 2018 World Cup held in Russia. Therefore, for example, the head coach of the Senegal team Aliou Cisse, thanks Russia for the organization and reception. According to the coach, in comparison with the World Championships in Japan in 2002, where he also participated, Russia appeared to be an extremely hospitable country with a wonderful population.

“The organization of such a holiday of football is the best advertisement of Russia”. – resume Senegal’s coach.

Representatives of the Nigerian national team also noted the special hospitality, tremendous organization and complete security of the tournament for both fans and athletes. “We were very pleased to play in such a big and great country like Russia. The scale of the country – was fully reflected and the scale of the tournament “- said the head coach of Nigeria Gernot Rohr.

The maximum penetration of the guests of the tournament was observed in the small and the most western city of Russia – Kaliningrad, where 4 matches of the tournament took place and where, the percentage of foreign fans was one of the largest. At the same time, according to the guests of the tournament, including from the UK, Kaliningrad filled it most. According to the coaching staff of the teams of Morocco and Spain, Russia held an unmatched tournament, which without a doubt became the best in history.

In the summer of 2018. Thanks to football, Russia overnight became the beloved country of the world. However, how long this feeling lasts is a question for all.

 

In Kaliningrad, the World Cup begins in 2018. In the westernmost and most European region of Russia will be four matches. In the city will come tens of thousands of fans from England, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Serbia, Croatia, Nigeria and Morocco.

Let me remind you that in the eyes of the NATO and EU countries, the Kaliningrad Region is the military outpost of Putin, the point in the middle of Europe, where the strategic weapons of the last generation are concentrated, and the military contingent per capita of civilians is one of the most significant in the Russian Federation. At the same time, Kaliningrad is an enclave rare for our world – a territory separated from the main country by other states. In the case of Kaliningrad, this is Lithuania and Belarus, whose territory needs to be overcome in order to reach their Kaliningrad, for example, to Moscow. And add a port, and you’ll understand why a couple of hundred years ago – Koenigsberg (the former name of Kaliningrad) was the capital of East Prussia and the pearl of the Hanseatic League. However, before the championship our fans were frightened that Kaliningrad and Russia as a whole are dangerous places where foreigners do not like, nationalism flourishes, and security is at a low level. Waiting for a similar from Russia, which not so long ago held the Olympics in Sochi and the Confederation Cup, as minuets, is silly. Being in Kaliningrad today – I understand that this European city, perhaps the safest city of the entire World Cup 2018 in Russia. The atmosphere of a holiday and friendliness reigns in the city. And this is not only my opinion …

Czech Ambassador to Russia Vitezslav Pivonka highly appreciated Kaliningrad’s readiness for the upcoming World Cup. “I’m in Kaliningrad for the first time, and I really liked you, we feel very good,” he said. According to the diplomat, he is impressed by the scale of work on the preparation of the city for the event, noting that fans should like here. Witiezslav Pivonka also shared his opinion on rumors circulated in several European media that foreign fans should beware of their safety in our country. “I do not see any reason for them to be afraid of something,” he said.
It should be noted that possible frustrations in Kaliningrad were frightened by English fans, who should come to the city for a match of their team with the Belgians on June 28. However, the UK’s leading media corporation BBC in its special project, dedicated to the cities where the 2018 World Cup matches will be held, did not support these speculations, focusing on the sights of Kaliningrad.
According to British journalists, fans need to visit the Museum of the World Ocean, see the deep-sea vehicles that took part in the filming of the movie “Titanic” by James Cameron, a submarine and other unique exhibits.
Further more … The New York Times in the report about the new stadium, which will host the 2018 World Cup, called it dazzling, comparing with the ocean liner.
Experts estimate that about 150,000 fans will come to Kaliningrad for the 2018 World Cup 2018 and there is no doubt that they will not only receive a lot of positive emotions and will be completely safe.

Nobel Wise