Abstract: The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, launched on February 24, 2022, has demonstrated Moscow’s approach to the Black Sea region. Contrary to the provisions of the law on the law, the Russian Federation blocked the freedom of navigation in the inland Sea of Azov and the principle of enforcing the right to act harmlessly in Ukrainian territorial waters off the coast of Crimea. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Black Sea region has become a place of intensive trade and transit and the transfer of energy resources from the Caspian Sea area and Central Asia to Europe. The events in Georgia in 2008 and the recent developments in Ukraine show that the Russian Federation is trying to rebuild its former influence and take control of the region. This article aims to diagnoze the security of the Black Sea Region in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war (2022). The article discusses the historical security context of the Black Sea Region, the main threats to the security of the region in the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war (2022) and, forecasts for the formation of the security of the Black Sea Region after the end of hostilities. Scientific research conducted that the Battle of the Black Sea may become the cause of a clash in the Russian-Ukrainian war, which will affect not only Ukrainebut also members of the people around the world, as well as Russia’s blockade of the Black Sea communication routes. The research methods used are literature analysis and criticism, historical methods, comparison, and generalization. Scientific studies have shown that the Battle of the Black Sea could become a key clash in the Russo-Ukrainian war that will affect not only Ukraine but also members of the nation around the world and lead to the Russian blockade of the Black Sea.

• Keywords: Black Sea, security, region, threats, Russian-Ukrainian war (2022)
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2023.43.01

Abstract: The analysis of an economic perspective on cultural heritage was carried out until the 1900s using theories from cultural economics. However, practice at that time showed the need to create a new branch that would look specifically at cultural heritage, beyond the cultural theories that existed in cultural economics at the time. This led to the emergence of a new concept: Economics of Heritage. In this context, there were voices in the literature (artists, archaeologists, cultural practitioners) who believed that a translation of cultural heritage in economic terms was in fact an unnatural trivialisation and materialisation of heritage, which would have a degrading effect on it. These effects would be represented by the commercialisation, devaluation, destruction, and improper exploitation of cultural heritage to gain economic benefits from it. On the other hand, recent studies promote the economic utilization of cultural heritage and the utilization of artificial intelligence in virtual and augmented reality technology, with the purpose of increasing measures of cultural heritage protection. This article proposes an analysis of both theoretical approaches, while including the role technology plays in the shift of the economic perspective on culture and cultural heritage and accentuates the role of a new framework for cultural heritage protection, in line with concepts such as sustainability and sustainable development..

• Keywords: cultural heritage, virtual reality, digitalization, economic development, sustainability of cultural heritage.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2023.43.02

Abstract: The article examines specific aspects of the European Union (EU) labour market, its dynamics and structure to assess the potential opportunities for candidate countries. The research aims to identify trends and patterns of labour market development for candidate countries and potential candidates for membership in the European Union. The study uses data from labour market statistics for the EU, candidate countries, and potential candidates (enlargement countries). The research is based on comparison, grouping, generalisation, trend analysis, correlation regression, and cluster analysis. The labour market indicators in most studied countries are significantly lower compared to the EU, but positive dynamics are observed. The results show that candidate countries and potential candidates have different indicators that characterise the level of development and dynamics of the labour market. Most candidate and potential candidate countries (except the Republic of Turkey) have downward trends in unemployment and a close negative correlation between unemployment and Gross Domestic Product per capita. Labour market analysis can support policymaking for candidate countries and potential candidates and monitor participation in the EU labour market.

• Keywords: candidate and potential candidate countries, economic activity, employment, EU, labour market
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2023.43.03

Abstract: The article dwells upon the problems of implementing the EU defense strategy, taking into account the leading European concept, strategic documents and the current initiatives in the EU security and defense sector. It was proved that due to the divergent views of the EU member states, there exist the following interpretations of the leading defense concept, namely: 1) “strategic autonomy / sovereignty” (France, Germany, Spain, Italy) considers independence in decision-making, increased integration and generating of finances and resources; 2) “strategic responsibility” (Netherlands, Finland, Estonia) is about greater collective contribution to the regional security system, which provides for a balance of interests in the EU-NATO-USA partnership; 3) “open strategic autonomy” (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia) deals with preservation of power only in priority areas of EU activity. The peculiarities of the transformations of the EU defense strategy were identified, and the following three EU strategic documents were analyzed, i. e., the European Security Strategy of 2003, the EU Global Strategy of 2016, and the EU Strategic Compass of 2022. It was determined that the Strategic Compass should introduce consistency in the rules, the management structure of the defense initiatives, clarify the boundaries between ambition and pragmatism, and integrate the defense sector. The strengths and weaknesses of the defense initiatives both within the framework of EU treaties (PESCO, CARD, EDF) and outside them (EI2) were pinpointed. The set of shortcomings detected in the abovementioned defense initiatives were outlined. The priority scenarios are represented. It has been predicted that by 2030, under the conditions of preserving the ambition of “strategic autonomy”, it is necessary to take a set of the following measures: 1) to define a single vision of their cooperation; 2) to find out the structure of the defense cooperation within the framework of EU treaties (PESCO) or outside the EU (EI2); 3) to clarify the rules of the defense sector management and a special body for decision-making.

• Keywords: EU defense strategy, Strategic Compass, Russian-Ukrainian war, PESCO.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2023.43.04

Abstract: What will be the mode of the data that today’s connected cars accumulate has become a critical issue for the entire automotive sector and its related supply and service industries. If quanta of highly usable data remain largely with car manufacturers, they will become gatekeepers and the entire aftermarket will either fall into complete dependence on them or lose the ability to innovate and compete. Aftermarket leaders and EU institutions are working to ensure that this data is shared from manufacturers to other supply and service providers. However, the most sensitive data is of a personal nature and its widespread sharing in the name of open competition may conflict with the right to privacy and the protection of drivers’ personal data. Protecting both competition and data at the same time can be awfully expensive, with negative impacts on consumption and available mobility. This paper seeks to explain this straitjacket of three not entirely consistent requirements and to show the possibilities for emerging legislation within its framework. It shows that there are not only convincing arguments but also strong lobbies behind each of the demands, which makes finding a compromise solution even more difficult. At the end of the analysis, a solution is proposed which, taking into account all the constraints, appears to be the least detrimental to the preservation of all protected rights and legitimate interests.

• Keywords: In-vehicle data; connected cars; data sharing; competition; privacy; data protection.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2023.43.05

Abstract: Political speeches play a vital role in the communication strategies of political leaders, enabling them to express their ideas, mobilize support, and persuade the public. Within this context, the effective use of rhetorical devices assumes paramount importance in conveying messages. This paper aimed to investigate the role of antithesis as a potent linguistic tool of persuasion in political speeches, specifically within the context of Kosovo. The paper sought to examine the prevalence and patterns of antithesis in political speeches delivered by Kosovo politicians, analyze its rhetorical effectiveness in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse, explore sociopolitical and cultural factors that influence its usage, and assess its impact on audience perception and receptiveness to political messages. The paper employed methodologies such as corpus analysis, rhetorical analysis, and sociopolitical analysis, to achieve its objectives. The expected contributions of this paper lie in advancing our understanding of political rhetoric in Kosovo, highlighting the significance of antithesis as a persuasive linguistic tool, and enriching the knowledge base in the field of political communication.

• Keywords: antithesis, political speeches, persuasion, rhetoric, Kosovo, linguistic tools
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2023.43.06