IBDE

Firstly, I want to thank all contributors to EXCHANGE. I am most grateful to my colleagues Luca, Jacques and Penelope for their invaluable input. 

The Western Balkans region clearly faces many challenges in its path towards European integration, not least its need for stronger economic development and energy security. I am pleased to report that the IBDE’s ‘EU-Balkans Discussion Group’ project - designed to support and promote regional cooperation and the socio-economic development of the Western Balkans with the support of EU and Balkans Embassies in the UK - is providing a substantial support to the countries of the region. The project focuses on regional cooperation, providing a regional approach for trade and/or investment, in order to maximize its common regional appeal to the wider multinational business community. Exchange supports the project by dedicating a permanent section on South Eastern Europe. In this context, the first section of Exchange has been designed to reflect some of the business/ policy issues raised by public investment projects and PPPs currently under way in the region.  

The second section of the June issue is devoted, broadly speaking, to the interrelation of business, diplomacy and conflict. The choice of the topic appeared to us necessary in view of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East/Africa and its far-reaching implications for investors in the region. International experts provide an analysis on the impact that the unrest in the “Arab Spring” countries and in particular the conflict in Libya could have on trade and foreign direct investment as well as exploring possible governance solution for these countries. Exchange values original and independent thinking; although it does not always concur with certain views. The reconstruction of the Arab world is too important an issue, for the people directly concerned, as well as for the Mediterranean, Europe and the U.S., to be rushed without fathoming the consequences of the measures proposed by the international community. Transposition of Western democratic models has worked with variable results across the world since the end of WWII. Exchange would, therefore, like to stimulate debate around this subject, in the hope that it can contribute to better understanding of the Region and the needs of its citizens, and to canvassing a pragmatic and viable solution for regime change. 

In other articles for Exchange, international experts cover many issues of interest to diplomats and businesspeople.   

Finally, we would like to hear from you, on article suggestions, submissions, comments and the national/international issues you would like us to cover.    

Please contact us on: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Rudi Guraziu, MA

IBDE CEO, Exchange Editor

Read the DIGITAL version here