Where do EU missions come from? A Discursive and Institutionalist Analysis of the European Union's Engagement in the Horn of Africa

The European Union (EU) deployed its first police mission in 2003. Since then, the EU has deployed thirty-four missions around the world. Considering the great financial burden to the EU budget and the budget of contributing Member States (MS), as well as the fact that the realm of defence is one of the most overdue areas of the European integration project, this thesis asks the general but multifaceted question of where EU missions come from. To address this question the thesis explores the historic origins of EU missions, conceptualises them in view of the conceptual and theoretical developments in the literature and policy practice, and develops a model for the analysis of the decision-making process behind the deployment of EU missions. The model is tested on three case studies, namely the three EU missions deployed in the Horn of Africa European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta, European Union Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia and European Union Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Nestor. The findings of the analysis reveal a gradual evolution of EU crisis management after the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and the establishment of the European External Action Service. The analysis indicates that EUNAVFOR Atalanta was primarily deployed due to French impetus at the level of the Political and Security Committee (PSC), but also due to a convincing call of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to the international community to act against the significant increase of piracy activity in the Gulf of Aden in 2008. The EUTM Somalia mission was primarily deployed due to a convincing strategy from the strategic planners at the EEAS, as well as the commitment of the United States (US) to a partnership with the EU to train recruits of the Somali Security Forces (SSF). Finally, the analysis of the third case study reveals even greater impact from the strategic planners at the EEAS and the acceptance at all levels of the EU s Comprehensive Approach to crisis management, and in particular due to the influential Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa document. The overall interpretation of the findings conclude that the foreign policy of the EU is a moving target, constantly changing, as is exemplified by both the historic overview and the analysis of the three case studies, and that the analysts of EU foreign policy must remain open to these changes when choosing modes of studying EU foreign policy

Boron application in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed production

peer-reviewedThis work is part of the research project TR-31016, funded by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia.A field trial with four red clover cultivars was established on acid soil in order to evaluate the effect of foliar boron application on seed yield. The crop received foliar boron treatment during the second growth of the second year at two applications. Although seed yield showed a significant increase in boron-treated plants in 2011 compared with control (26.0%), its relative increase was far higher in 2010 (43.2%), which had increased total rainfall amounts during flowering. Sufficient level of boron supply to red clover plants for seed production has a remarkably positive effect under conditions hampering pollination and fertilisation.Ministry of Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbi

The assessment of health-related quality of life in relation to the body mass index value in the urban population of Belgrade

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association between excess body weight, impairment of health and different co-morbidities is well recognized; however, little is known on how excess body weight may affect the quality of life in the general population. Our study investigates the relationship between perceived health-related quality of life (HRQL) and body mass index (BMI) in the urban population of Belgrade.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The research was conducted during 2005 on a sample of 5,000 subjects, with a response of 63.38%. The study sample was randomly selected and included men and women over 18 years of age, who resided at the same address over a period of 10 years. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire and nutritional status was categorized using the WHO classification. HRQL was measured using the SF-36 generic score. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare HRQL between subjects with normal weight and those with different BMI values; we monitored subject characteristics and potential co-morbidity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of overweight males and females was 46.6% and 22.1%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was 7.5% in males and 8.5% in females.</p> <p>All aspects of health, except mental, were impaired in males who were obese. The physical and mental wellbeing of overweight males was not significantly affected; all score values were similar to those in subjects with normal weight.</p> <p>By contrast, obese and overweight females had lower HRQL in all aspects of physical functioning, as well as in vitality, social functioning and role-emotional.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of our study show that, in the urban population of Belgrade, increased BMI has a much greater impact on physical rather than on mental health, irrespective of subject gender; the effects were particularly pronounced in obese individuals.</p

Uticaj kalcizacije zemljišta na prinos krme i semena Žutog zvezdana (Lotus corniculatus L.)

A prerequisite for improving birdsfoot trefoil cultivation is the production of sufficient quantities of quality seeds. The field experiment was set 2012th in Čačak on alluvium soil type, acid reaction (pHH2O 4.8). Varieties birdsfoot trefoil (K-37 and Rocco) were sown at a interrow spacing of 20 cm and 10 kg ha-1 seed. The aim of the experiment was to analyze the impact of the application of limestone soil (without CaO and treatment with 3 t ha-1 CaO) on forage yield, seed yield and yield components of birdsfoot trefoil. The results indicate that birdsfoot trefoil was largely tolerant on acidity. The positive influence of liming on number of stems m-2 and number of seeds per pod in the variety Rocco contributed to its greater seed yield in relation to the variety of K-37.Preduslov za unapređenje gajenja žutog zvezdana je proizvodnja dovoljne količine kvalitetnog semena. Poljski ekseriment je postavljen 2012. godine u Čačku na zemljištu tipa aluvijum, kisele reakcije (pHH2O 4,8). Sorte žutog zvezdana (K-37 i Rocco) posejane su na rastojanju 20 cm međuredno sa 10 kg ha-1 semena. Cilj ogleda bio je da se analizira uticaj kalcizacije zemljišta (kontrola - bez CaO i tretman sa 3 t ha-1 CaO) na kiselom zemljištu na prinos krme, prinos i komponente prinosa semena sorti žutog zvezdana. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da je žuti zvezdan u velikoj meri tolerantan na uslove kiselog zemljišta. Kalcizacija zemljišta je ispoljila jači uticaj na broj izdanaka m-2 i broj zrna po mahuni kod sorte Rocco, što se odrazilo i na njen značajno veći prinos semena u odnosu na sortu K-37

Uticaj kalcizacije na proizvodnju krme crvene deteline i italijanskog ljulja gajenih u smeši

This paper examines the influence of liming (control - without CaO; 3t ha-1 CaO) on acidic soil pH of 4.8 to forage, hay yield, the share of red clover, Italian ryegrass and weeds in the total hay yield of mixture crop. The experiment was a set up by randomized complete block design with three replications, with the size of the experimental plots of 5m2 (5x1m). Sowing was done on 20 cm interrow. Soil liming was resulted in a significant increase of yields forage and hay of crops only the first cut in 2012. In all growth during 2011 and 2012, liming is influenced significantly increase the share of Italian ryegrass at the expense of reduction of red clover share, while the share of weeds was not significantly changed. In the third year of production, there was only one growth of red clover, which was very sparse and exhausted, and Italian ryegrass was not. In such conditions, liming is influenced significantly increase the share of red clover at the expense of a significant reduction in the share of weeds.U radu je ispitivan uticaj primene kalcizacije (kontrola – bez CaO; 3t ha-1 CaO) na kiselom zemljištu pH 4,8 na prinos krme, prinos sena, udeo crvene deteline, italijanskog ljulja i korova u ukupnom prinosu sena zdrzuženog useva. Ogled je postavljen po potpuno slučajnom blok sistemu u tri ponavljanja, sa veličinom eksperimentalne parcele od 5m2 (5x1m). Setva je obavljena na međurednom rastojanju od 20cm. Primena kalcizacije značajno je uticala na povećanje prinosa krme i prinosa sena združenog useva jedino u prvom porastu 2012. godine. U svim porastima tokom 2011. i 2012. godine, kalcizacija je uticala na značajno povećanje udela italijanskog ljulja na račun smanjenja udela crvene deteline, dok se udeo korova nije značajno menjao. U trećoj godini proizvodnje, postojao je samo jedan porast crvene deteline, koji je bio jako proređen i iscrpljen, a italijanskog ljulja nije bilo. U takvim uslovima kalcizacija je uticala na značajno povećanje udela crvene deteline na račun značajnog smanjenja udela korova

Uticaj kalcizacije zemljišta na prinos sorti žutog zvezdana u trećoj godini proizvodnje

In less favorable growing conditions, especially in terms of climate and soil to produce sufficient quantities of qality animal feed, special attention should be paid to the cultivation of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of liming (control - without CaO and treatment with 3 t ha-1 CaO) on forage yield, hay yield and dry matter content in the forage of birdsfoot trefoil cultivars (K-37 and Rocco) on acid soil. The field trial was set up in 2012 in Čačak on the loessivized vertisol soil type (pHH2O 4.8). Sowing was done at a row spacing of 20 cm and a seeding rate of 18 kg seed ha-1. The results indicate that was birdsfoot trefoil to a great extent tolerant to acid soil. Soil liming had a positive effect on forage yield and hay yield of birdsfoot trefoil, only in the cultivar K-37.U manje pogodnim uslovima uspevanja, pre svega u pogledu klime i zemljišta, u cilju proizvodnje dovoljnih količina kvalitetne kabaste stočne hrane, posebnu pažnju treba posvetiti gajenju žutog zvezdana (Lotus corniculatus L.). Cilj rada bio je da se na kiselom zemljištu analizira uticaj kalcizacije (kontrola - bez CaO i tretman sa 3 t ha-1 CaO) na prinos krme, prinos sena i sadržaj suve materije u krmi sorti žutog zvezdana (K-37 i Rocco). Poljski ekseriment je postavljen 2012. godine u Čačku na zemljištu tipa lesivirana smonica (pHH2O 4,8). Setva je obavljena na rastojanju od 20 cm međuredno sa 10 kg ha-1 semena. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da je žuti zvezdan u velikoj meri tolerantan na uslove kiselog zemljišta. Kalcizacija zemljišta je imala pozitivan uticaj na prinos krme i sena žutog zvezdana jedino kod sorte K-37

Stability Parameters for Grain Yield and its Component Traits in Maize Hybrids of Different FAO Maturity Groups

An objective evaluation of maize hybrids in intensive cropping systems requires identification not only of yield components and other agronomically important traits but also of stability parameters. Grain yield and its components were assessed in 11 maize hybrids with different lengths of growing season (FAO 300-700 maturity groups) using analysis of variance and regression analysis at three different locations in Western Serbia. The test hybrids and locations showed significant differences in grain yield, grain moisture content at maturity, 1,000-kernel weight and ear length. A significant interaction was observed between all traits and the environment. The hybrids with higher mean values of the traits, regardless of maturity group, generally exhibited sensitivity i.e. adaptation to more favourable environmental conditions as compared to those having lower mean values. Regression coefficient (bi) values for grain yield mostly suggested no significant differences relative to the mean. The medium-season hybrid gave high yields and less favourable values of stability parameters at most locations and in most years, as compared to mediumlate hybrids. As compared to medium-early hybrids, medium-late hybrids (FAO 600 and 700) mostly exhibited unfavourable values of stability parameters i.e. a specific response and better adaptation to favourable environmental conditions, and gave higher average yields. Apart from producing lower average yields, FAO 300 and 400 hybrids showed higher yield stability as compared to the other hybrids tested. Medium-late hybrids had higher yields and showed a better response to favourable environmental conditions compared to early-maturing hybrids. Therefore, they can be recommended for intensive cultural practices and low-stress environments. Due to their more favourable stability parameter values, medium-early hybrids can be recommended for low-intensity cultural practices and stressful environments

Uticaj folijarne primene tečnog organskog đubriva na prinos i komponente prinosa semena crvene deteline na kiselom zemljištu

The field experiment with varieties of red clover K-39 and Amos, was set up on alluvial soil type using a randomized block design with three replications and plot size 5x1m. The aim was to analyze the effect of foliar application of liquid organic fertilizer (Bioplant flora, Plant DOO, Russia) on seed yield and yield components of red clover in the conditions of dense planting. Regardless of foliar application of liquid fertilizer, cultivar K-39 had a significantly higher number of inflorescences per stem, number of inflorescences m-2, seed number per inflorescence, fertility of flowers and seed yield. Foliar application of liquid fertilizer resulted in a significant increase in the value of yield components, especially fertility and the number of flowers per inflorescence in cultivar K-39.Poljski ogled sa sortama crvene deteline K-39 i Amos, postavljen je na zemljištu tipa aluvijum po potpuno slučajnom blok sistemu u tri ponavljanja i veličinom elementarne parcele 5x1m. Cilj rada bio je da se analizira uticaj folijarne primene tečniog organskog đubriva (Bioplant flora, Plant DOO, Rusija) na komponente prinosa i prinos semena crvene deteline u uslovima guste setve. Nezavisno od folijarne primene tečnog organskog đubriva, sorta K-39 je imala značajno veći broj cvasti po izdanku, broj cvasti m-2, broj zrna po cvasti, značajno veću fertilnost cvetova i prinos semena u odnosu na sortu Amos. Folijarna primena tečnog organskog đubriva uticala je na značajno povećanje vrednosti komponenti prinosa, a pre svega fertilnosti cvetova i broja zrna po cvasti kod sorte K-39