This is mostly raw data. The map below is for quick reference purposes. Distances between selected capitols are for land routes, obviously without the road map detail. So as to not crowd the map, capitols are left off. For the logistically-minded, an 800 km (500 mile) day for truckers puts the majority of European capitols […]
Structure and sustainability - A Saakashvili (and Ukraine) problem
July 15, 2015 by Leave a Comment
As the arrival of Mr Saakashvili has turned both domestic and international eyes toward Odessa, and the truly gargantuan task he has taken on in reforming the Oblast - very much as a microcosm of Ukraine in many ways (although every Oblast presents unique yet entrenched issues too), whatever appears in this entry, can by […]
Political expediency at the expense of (future) rule of law - Odessa
July 9, 2015 by 1 Comment
Not that long ago this entry was published relating to the new “Police” in Kyiv. All those points hold true, as for your author it is very much home turf. In short, whilst there is good reason to optimistic, time will tell when it comes to their effectiveness and standing in public opinion some 12 […]
A glance at the corruption/smuggling “ports issue” - Odessa
July 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
When Governor Saakashvili was appointed, within an hour some initial thoughts were published regarding certain priorities relating to Odessa were outlined. Amongst them, “He (and whatever team he appoints around him) will have several difficult battles ahead – the most obvious being with the notoriously corrupt customs at Yushni, Illichovsk and Odessa ports. By extension, […]
One side of the conversation - Odessa reforms
July 7, 2015 by 3 Comments
Unusually for this blog, one side of a conversation held with a visiting diplomatic corps is going to be summarised for public consumption, rather than the usual carefully selected parts that are always subjected to the Chatham House Rule, if anything that is said is mentioned at all. The side of the conversation is that […]
The Odessa 1-Stop (Business Administration) Shop
June 29, 2015 by 1 Comment
Inevitably, unsurprisingly, and predictably - Odessa is to be the first Oblast to produce an effective, efficient, bribe/corruption free 1 Stop Shop for business administration - or at least that is the plan. The Minister of Justice of Ukraine Pavel Petrenko, Head of Odessa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili, Mayor of Odessa Gennady Trukhanov and […]
An Odessa - Lviv reformist umbilical chord?
June 28, 2015 by Leave a Comment
A very short entry today, but one to ponder as it goes against all the current media noise relating to Andrie Sadovyi/Samopomich and Viltali Klitschko and UDAR is the issue of seemingly blossoming ties between Odessa and Lviv. They are but currently small acorns form which it remains to be seen if mighty oaks will grow. […]
Swivel-eyed cosmopolitanism - Odessa
June 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Odessa it is often said, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Ukraine - and it is. It has always been a cosmopolitan city throughout Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Tsarist, Soviet and contemporary times. That is nothing particularly unusual for major sea ports with centuries of history of course. Continual exposure to foreigners coming, going, […]
Ruling things in, rather than out - Odessa
June 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
When Governor Saakashvili was first appointed, the immediate issues that came to mind were “He (and whatever team he appoints around him) will have several difficult battles ahead – the most obvious being with the notoriously corrupt customs at Yushni, Illichovsk and Odessa ports. By extension, that will also bring him head to head with […]
Saakashvili casting his net? Foreign educated English speakers required
June 20, 2015 by 1 Comment
Now here’s an interesting little development - though not entirely unexpected. It is fair to say the idea has been “mulled over” for a few weeks. “We want to change the Odessa region. But without the help of active citizens is impossible.We are looking for volunteers who know the English language, with experience in the […]