Eastern Europe

Study urges countries to further cut red tape and barriers to entrepreneurs

BRUSSELS, May 14, 2008 — Big gains in the productivity of workers in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the past decade have helped boost growth and living standards, but more must be done to eliminate red tape and barriers to enable firms to become more productive in a rapidly globalizing world, says a new World Bank report.    » read more »

Rising Food Prices May Require Stepped Up Social Assistance to Help Poor

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2008 — World Bank officials today warned that the countries of Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and Central Asia face slower economic growth as a result of the economic downturn in the U.S. and Western Europe, and should step up their efforts to protect poor and vulnerable people from the effect of higher food and energy prices.

Rice-fields in a valley near Lao Cai, northern Vietnam: Photo by Tran Thi Hoa / World Bank (CC)    » read more »

New research shows small and medium businesses in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland are ready to embrace new technologies

BUDAPEST, Hungary; PRAGUE, Czech Rep. & WARSAW, Poland - April 3, 2008 - Advanced information and communications technology is a key differentiator that can help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) grow their business, become more competitive and operate more efficiently within international supply chains. As part of Cisco's continued commitment to Central and Eastern Europe, Cisco CapitalTM today announced the availability of its EasyLease financing program through local finance organisations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.    » read more »

BUCHAREST, Romania, April 3, 2008 – NATO formally offered membership today to two of the three Balkan nations President Bush had strongly advocated for acceptance.

Albania and Croatia were accepted by the 26 other NATO members to begin the accession process after hours-long discussions of the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s principal decision-making body, this morning.    » read more »

April 2, 2008 -- Neptun, Romania -- PRESIDENT BASESCU: Mr. President, you will be the first.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, thank you very much. Bună ziua. Mr. President, thank you very much for your warm hospitality. Laura and I are thrilled to be with you and your lovely wife. I can't think of a better place to meet. It's such a beautiful setting, and you're awfully kind to have invited us to be here. After all, that's what friends do, though. And our relationship is very strong and it's very friendly.

The Bushes are greeted by the President and First Lady of Romania: Photo by Eric Draper    » read more »

Governments Should Change Laws

New York, January 24, 2008 – The European Court of Human Rights’ ruling that a lesbian woman can embark on the process of adopting a child means European states should ensure equality in the right to found a family, Human Rights Watch said today.    » read more »

Only Urgent Reforms Can Help Mitigate Long-Term Fiscal Problems

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2007— By 2025, many countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union will have populations that are among the oldest in the world, posing a threat to the region’s recent economic success if pension and health care reforms are not adequately tackled and policies are not put in place to promote productivity growth.    » read more »