March 1, 2019

One World—Many Subjects

Reuters/Scanpix

This double issue of Diplomaatia explores several subjects: the UN Global Compact for Migration, Romania/Moldova, the fifth anniversary of the occupation/annexation of the Crimea, developments in Egypt and much more. We closely scrutinise the world in order to offer a well-considered approach to international policy.

Paul Teesalu, the Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, writes about the much-discussed UN Global Compact for Migration. “It was clear from the start that the status of the compact would resemble that of the UN General Assembly’s resolutions: they are not binding on member states, even those who voted for them. Only resolutions that determine the UN’s institutional structure, administrative activity and budget are mandatory”, writes Teesalu.

Finnish freelance journalist Pentti Väistö writes about Romania’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. “Political conflict, controversial draft legislation and yet another prime minister assuming office and leading the government have been ubiquitous in recent years in Romania. Both the EU and the Romanian opposition doubt whether the country will be able to conclude its presidency with grace,” says Väistö.

Diplomaatia’s interview this month focuses on Romania’s neighbour, Moldova. Vasile Botnaru, the head of the local editorial board of Radio Free Europe, talks about Moldova’s complicated identity and its relationship with Romania. “Since Moldova became independent in 1991, our politicians have reluctantly started to admit that the Romanian and Moldovan languages are similar, but they say that we are Moldovans who speak a language similar to Romanian,” he says. “They are afraid that if they admit it’s the same language and give an inch, people will take a mile and start demanding the country join Romania.”

Heidi Koolmeister, a doctoral student of political science at Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli, a private university in Rome, writes about the resilience of democratic states.

Middle East expert Kadri Jõgi looks at latest developments in Egypt.

Foreign-policy commentator Toomas Alatalu recalls the occupation and annexation of the Crimea five years ago. “It’s a fact that the West, which had experienced a similar situation with Georgia in 2008, allowed itself to be surprised all over again with the so-called ‘little green men’ who appeared out of nowhere, taking Ukrainian military bases and administrative agencies by force and remaining politely silent when people asked who they were,” writes Alatalu.

Priit Rohtmets, a researcher in church history, writes about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Sven Sakkov, Hellar Lill and Holger Mölder review the latest books on international policy.

 

This article was published in ICDS Diplomaatia magazine.

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