Ideological and institutional framework of the European energy policy, which is still work in progress, is crucial to the EU as it faces new political and economic challenges related to the recent Ukrainian crisis. Even if key energy policy issues are still decided by member states as the EU only seeks to speak with one voice in energy matters externally, much progress has been made over the last two decades in terms of the EU's energy policy formulation and institutional development. The Lisbon Treaty made the energy policy a sphere of "shared competence" of EU institutions and member states. The European Commission's numerous policy documents ("White" and "Green books" 1995, 2000 and 2006) provided a basis for the development of an integrated energy market. Substantial progress has been achieved in the area of energy policy harmonization between the EU and neighboring countries (Energy Charter Treaty, European Energy Community). The Union's key energy policy areas also included supply diversification (trans-European energy networks), development of unconventional energy production, climate change and energy efficiency. Over the last decade climate changes has become a cornerstone of EU energy policy and is regarded by the EU as key to moderating energy demand and reducing import dependency.

In the article on the basis of the original chart of the theoretical conceptual system of Eurointegration's development offered by an author base principles of Great Britain's participation in common foreign and security policy (CFSP) of the European Union are examined. The country’s role in the processes of forming EU's CFSP is determined in the context of leading theories of Eurointegration. The evolution of British government's policy participation in the system of political co-operation in the European Union, character of its influence on the processes of Eurointegration in the sphere of foreign and security policies are analysed. CFSP as a specific sphere of co-operation of the EU's states fully represents conceptual dichotomy of European Union essence at level «intergovernmental - supranational». CFSP is the segment of the EU's legal reality which is historically based on intergovernmental co-operation, and in modern terms characterized by the expressed elements of funcional supranational institucialisation and insignificant strengthening of federalism. Great Britain conceptual approaches to forming EU's CFSP lie traditions of pragmatical and functional realistic approach with the elements of federalist co-operation, externalism and minimum of institucialism. For activity of British governments is inherent pistorical heredity of participating in political integration within the framework of Common Europe. It's mean a successive policy of inhibition federalist supranational tendencies, propagandas of the evolutional going to development of integration processes and it distribution on new spheres. Such approaches are correspond to the model of selective-sectoral integration or «Europe a la carte» ofThatcherist standards, which in the process of realization under influence of objective (mainly external) factors evolved to practical embodiment of such more soft models of flexible integration, as «multi-speed integration» and «Europe of variable geometries». The noted approaches to CFSP allow government on the different historical stages to have retentive or stimulant influence on the integrational processes.

RETRACTED

In this article the writer analyses the development peculiarities of the Tajik-Russian geopolitical relations during the establishment of Tajikistan foreign policy up to the commencement of multi-vector «open doors» policy in 2003-2004. Since the establishment of peace and stability in Tajikistan beginning from the year of 2000 the socio-economic development issues have been set as prior actions. To boost the economy, attraction of foreign investments, creation of new jobs and improvement of life standard of population were the issues to address. Political leaders of Tajikistan had no right to waste time making no headway. The country inevitably faced the issue of diversification of interstate and foreign economic relations, including outside the CIS. The article highlights that the foreign «open door» policy declared at the turn of2002-2003 implied mandatory modernization of the Tajik-Russian cooperation through strengthening its economic and human dimensions, adjusting the strategic partnership and alliance between the two states to the new global political realities. As to the geopolitical and military-political priorities, which Tajikistan had firmly adhered throughout the entire 1990th since its Independence, they actually remained unchanged even after 2002. The author points out the long-term Russian presence in the form of a large scale military base and military infrastructure on the territory of Tajikistan. The Republic is one of the most consistent, active and disciplined members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. During the first decade of the XXI century the political leaders of Tajikistan had been receiving offers from foreign non CIS countries with regard to deployment of military facilities on a fee basis on the territory of Tajikistan which were not even considered by the Government. Thus, the multi-vector foreign policy of «open doors» has been reflected in diversification of the international relations of Tajikistan, in demonopolization of trade and economic priorities, in attraction of foreign investments and military-technical assistance from the third countries (other than CIS and CSTO countries) but completely preserving the geopolitical and military-political priorities established until 2002.

The article examines the impact of the crisis in Russia - U. S. relations in connection with the events surrounding Ukraine on the world system and its key component - the Asia-Pacific region where Japan plays a crucial role. The author assumes that the international relations have no common understanding of the rules of engagement between the USA, the Group of Seven, Russia and the BRICS countries. As a result, the leading countries of the world are guided by conflicting scenarios. The article deals with the American scenario in relation to China and the Russian Federation and the Russian one in relation to polycentric and the U. S. - centered world orders. The most important element of the American scenario in relation to Beijing is Japan. This country is central to Washington's policy to contain China. Tokyo is headed for the rapid rejection of pacifist principles of its foreign policy. Russian scenario for the international system is in an active course to establishing a polycentric world order. United States' scenario against Russia in this regard is a containment strategy of Moscow. The central component of this strategy, as it can be assumed, is a violation of the strategic balance in US - Russian relations. However, Ukraine has become a major springboard to contain Russia. Instead of establishing equal Russian - American relations United States and their allies (under American pression) have chosen a policy of isolating Moscow, but such actions are blocking the Russian - Japanese rapprochement beneficial both for Tokyo and Kremlin, which is interested in deepening its ties with Japan in order to diversify its relations with Asia-Pacific area. The author concludes that the long-term interests of Russia and Japan dictate both sides to move closer, but the policy of the U.S. administration towards Russia on the Ukranian question blocks this possibility.

The article reflects the US officials' point of view on the development of its national missile defense. The major threat to international security is the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. The United States and the former Soviet Union made huge efforts to reduce and limit offensive arms. However, presently the proliferation of ballistic missiles spreads all over the world, especially in the Middle East, because of the ballistic missile technology falling into the hands of hostile non-state groups. Missile defenses can provide a permanent presence in a region and discourage adversaries from believing they can use ballistic missiles to coerce or intimidate the U.S. or its allies. With the possible attack regional missile defense systems will be promptly mobilized to enhance an effective deterrent. The ultimate goal of such large-scale missile defense deployment is to convince the adversaries that the use of ballistic missiles is useless in military terms and that any attack on the United States and its allies is doomed to failure. The United States has missile defense cooperative programs with a number of allies, including United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Israel, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and many others. The Missile Defense Agency also actively participates in NATO activities to maximize opportunities to develop an integrated NATO ballistic missile defense capability. The initiative of the development of US BMD naturally belongs to the United States. That country has enormous technological, financial, economic, military and institutional capabilities, exceeding by far those of the other NATO members combined.

The current situation in the world draws public attention to the problems of building the armed forces and keeping their readiness to provide defense and security of the country. Rigid centralization of military construction in such collective bodies as the State Defense Committee, the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander, determination and meticulous work of folk commissioners and the General Staff to identify areas of building and resource mobilization for the implementation of decisions taken can serve as a guide for solving similar problems in our days. Balanced development of the armed forces, technical equipment of modern weapons, timely replacement of losses, creation and transfer of reserves, training in a rigid time limit - it is not a complete list of the problems of military development, which made the success and victory in the war possible. On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Soviet victory in this war it is not only important not to forget about the titanic work done, dedication and heroism of the older generation of our compatriots, the generation of victors, but also to reflect on the acute problems of the present, in order to be worthy of the glory of our ancestors and preserve their honor to future generations of Russians.

Successful advances of Soviet troops in Belarus created in the middle of July 1944 favorable conditions for large-scale operations on the southern flank of the Soviet-German front to complete the liberation of Ukraine and Moldova, driving Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria out of war, and driving the enemy from Czechoslovakia. During the Soviet offensive in Belorussia 1st Ukrainian Front began operation in the Lvov direction. The operation, which was later called the Lvov-Sandomierz, turned into a major offensive of more than 400 km and lasted from July 13 to August 29, 1944. The Soviet Supreme Command was seeking to crush Army Group "Northern Ukraine", liberate Western Ukraine and take the war to the south east Poland. Operations were carried out by 1st Ukrainian Front in close cooperation with the Soviet troops operating in the Belarusian direction. It was closely linked to the southern wing of the Soviet-German front, a series of successive and simultaneous front offensive operations, including operations by groups of fronts, united by a common concept and plan, such as Lvov-Sandomierz, Iasi-Kishenёvskaya, East Carpathian.

In the military history of our homeland many memorable important dates leading up to the final victory over fascism are forever imprinted. One of these dates is October 20, 1944, the day of the liberation of Belgrade, the capital of Yugoslavia, and the day of completion of the Belgrade operation. This operation was of special significance for the peoples of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. It symbolized the military cooperation of the two countries, which at the most difficult times in their history have always been in the same ranks in the struggle against the common enemy. The Red Army and the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ) were actively joined by the troops of the Fatherland Front of Bulgaria. Given the importance of preserving the memory for the present and future generations an example of joint struggle of our people against the common enemy it is necessary to recall the Belgrade offensive in 1944, as one of the most important events in the history of the World War II. Despite the fact that this topic was thoroughly researched in the Soviet and Yugoslav literature there are still contradictory assessments of combat and the strength of the Soviet Armed Forces groups, groups of interacting forces, the balance of forces involved in the operation. The results of the study of the experience of the offensive in the conditions of the Balkan region can be used for comprehensive training of troops, as the region is a source of international tension, both in Europe and in the world as a whole.

Victorious ending of the World War 2 on May, 9, 1945, stroke a crushing blow on the military axis Berlin - Rome - Tokyo. The USSR played a decisive role both on European and Asian fronts. Fulfilling its allied duty the Soviet Union entered the war in the Far East on 9 August, 1945 and defeated the Japanese army in Manchuria. This act became a great contribution to liberation of Asian peoples from the Japanese occupation. On the 17 August 1945 the Republic of Indonesia declared its independence. The recognition on the side of international community as well as diplomatic support became\e vital for the survival of the newly emerged Republic.The Soviet victory together with the allied nations in the Second World War, the new status of the USSR as a superpower, its constant anticolonial stance stimulated former colonies to appeal to the Soviet Union for backing and support. One of the first was the Republic of Indonesia, to which the USSR rendered all kind of help and encourages. The present article which is a result of the study of newly available documents from several recently opened Soviet archives shows the Soviet backing of Indonesia in the UN, its diplomatic recognition, in strengthening of Indonesian status as a sovereign state on the international arena as a whole.

The main task of this research is the analysis of India's monetary policy and its place in the system of state regulation of the economy. The article highlights the main directions of the Indian monetary policy in 1990-2000s aiming to raise competitiveness of the Indian goods on the foreign markets as well as stimulating the inflow of foreign capital in necessary volumes into the national economy. The author focuses on the main instruments of the modern Indian monetary policy, pursued in line with providing the undervalued rupee, which include the manipulating of the bank rate and currency interventions, directed mainly at sterilization of excessive inflow of foreign currency to the country. The article also underlines all the advantages and costs of the monetary policy. One of its main advantages is stimulation of national production's exports and among costs there are difficulties of importing machines and equipment into the country, increase of inflation rate as a result of massive inflow of export revenue, difficulties at external debt's service. The author notes the gradual nature of introduction of current account rupee convertibility and reasons for delay in achieving its full convertibility. Among them there are rather high level of fiscal deficit of the consolidated budget, essential average annual level of inflation, problems of non-performed assets in the economy, high liquidity ratio for commercial banks. The article also presents statistical data on the present state of the Indian foreign exchange reserves as well as dynamics in nominal and real effective exchange rate of rupee in 2005/06 - 2013/14 fiscal year.

The present article is dedicated to the analysis of administrative licensing procedure in Norwegian oil and gas sector. That is one of the most important mechanisms of state regulation in this area. The paper explores a wide range of reasons for choosing precisely this model of interaction between oil and gas companies and the state. The main aspects of the present administrative licensing system are highlighted in the article. Particular attention is paid to pre-qualification of oil and gas companies, participating in licensing rounds, especially to different criteria for choosing oil and gas companies that will operate on Norwegian Continental Shelf. Further conditions of their cooperation are provided. Moreover, the article refers to the role and the functions of state bodies in Norway that control and govern the licensing process - the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the Petroleum Directorate - and describes different types of licenses that exist in oil and gas sector of Norway. In conclusion the article shows numerous advantages of using the administrative licensing system in oil and gas sector, its impact on the economy of Norway and the possibility of its application in the oil and gas sector of Russia.

The power sector reform in Russia saw capital raising as one of the key objectives. Additional investments are necessary, in particular, for renovation of fixed assets which are ca. 70% worn out. The official Strategy for the development of the Russian power grid also provides for privatization of certain companies and foreign investors are considered among others as the target audience. Upon prospective privatization the sector is expected not only to experience a certain increase in capital expenditures, but also to benefit from foreign expertise and efficiency enhancement. At the moment, however, the privatization plans are hard to implement due to a number of obstacles. Prospective investors are mostly concerned about the lack of transparent regulation and clear development strategy of the industry. This is particularly relevant to the tariff system, which has been continuously altered in recent years. This might be explained by the need of the state support by other sectors, which is often provided at the expense of the power industry. Furthermore, the prospects of foreign capital raising are negatively influenced by the conflict in Ukraine and the corresponding negative perception of potential investors. The above factors result in the decrease in value of power grid companies as well as in the lack of visibility regarding the prospects of the sector development. Privatization thus becomes unreasonable both for the state and prospective investors. At the same time, despite the sector specifics, there are precedents of successful sale of power grid assets to private investors by international peers. Particularly, Vatenfall and Forum have recently closed relevant transactions, nothing to say about the power grid sector of Brazil, majorly controlled by private owners. Transparent regulation, clear pricing rules and well-balanced economic policy are, indeed, indispensable prerequisites for successful privatization. Those might back up a prospective increase in value of power grid companies, which will make the sale of those economically reasonable as well as enhance the business attractiveness for target investors.

The article analyzes the basic documents of international organizations in recent years, which have become the global standard for the development and improvement of statistics of foreign economic relations of most countries, including the Russian Federation. The article describes the key features of the theory and practice of modern foreign trade statistics in Russia and abroad, with an emphasis on the methodological problems of its main parts - the external trade statistics. It shows their interpretation in the most recent recommendations by UN statistical apparatus and other international organizations; considers a range of problems associated with the implementation of the national statistical practices of countries, including Russia and the countries of the Customs Union, the main international standard of foreign trade statistics - UN document "International Merchandise Trade Statistics". The main attention is paid to methodological issues such as: the criteria for selecting the objects of statistical accounting in accordance with international standards, quantitative and cost parameters of foreign trade statistics, statistical methods and estimates of commodity exports and imports, the problems of comparability of data; to a comparison of international standards in 2010 with documents on key precursor methodology of foreign trade statistics, characterized by the practice of introducing these standards in the foreign trade statistics of Russia and the countries of the Customs Union. The article analyzes the content given in the official statistical manuals of Russia foreign trade and foreign countries, covers the main methodological problems of World Trade in conjunction with the major current international statistical standards - System of National Accounts, Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services and other documents; provides specific data describing the current structure of Russian foreign trade and especially its position in international trade in goods and services.

The research is focused on efficiency assessment of economic cooperation in development of Arctic offshore oil and gas resources. The author developed an economic model based on cost-benefit analysis (CBA). CBA is used in some countries (EU, USA, Australia) as an analytic tool to make public policy decisions. CBA is based on the method of discounting cash flows associated with costs and benefits of public policy. It is assumed that all public goals are equally important inter alia, hence public bodies should opt for those initiatives that maximize public benefits for every dollar spent from the state budget. There are five stages of economic modeling: 1) the definition of public benefits and costs associated with the public initiative; 2) monetary valuation of costs and benefits; 3) the definition of discounting period and discounting rate; 4) the calculation of net present value of cash flows; 5) the comparison of initiatives' net present values. The model is built with a number of hypotheses assumed. It allows making evaluation of investments into the technology to decrease the cost of Arctic offshore oil and gas development. Moreover, the model has two scenarios describing a public policy to support technology development with international economic cooperation and without it. Under given hypotheses both scenarios return positive net present value of policies which proves that governmental initiative to support Arctic technology development is economically justified. Also the model sows that the scenario with international cooperation is more efficient from economic point of view. It is explained by two factors: the higher speed of technology transfer (due W international cooperation) and the opportunity to use financial leverage (attracting the funds from foreign partners). The model allows closing the existing scientific gap between the theory of CBA method and its practical use in public decision making.

The goal of this work is to show that in contrast with the dominating economic concept, that concentration and expansion of production in one or several neighboring industries is the natural and economically reasonable mechanism for business growth, there is an alternative model of big business development, such as the industrial diversification. In this paper we analyze the phenomenon of big capital diversification on example of Indian business groups. We assume that diversification appears to be a necessary, and sometimes the only possible way of big business development amid imperfect market competition, inherent in emerging markets. We show that the main feature of big business formation in India, due to some conditions of colonial and postcolonial development, is that capital concentration was not accompanied by industrial concentration. The factors which condition the absence of industrial concentration in the Indian business groups are: the activity of managing agencies and other specifics of primitive capital accumulation, state regulations and licensing policy, state limitations on the scale of production, tough Monopoly Act, various market distortions etc. The paper also postulates that heterogenic industrial structure predetermines organizational and managerial forms big business takes. It resumes that industrial diversification enables big business to better adjust to market and legal imperfections as well as to hedge transnationalisation risks. As a business strategy diversification is common not only to India, but to other big vibrant rapidly developing economies. The success of Asian and Latin American business groups and conglomerates is worthy of a comprehensive investigation to adopt their experience in Russia.

When the natural resource management is considered by means of economics, biological associations are only regarded as the source of resources and the object of ownership from the part of economic agents (households, firms or the state). Such approach does not allow studying certain types of situations, like interaction of an economic agent and a natural ecosystem, property rights over which are not well defined, and does not account for system attributes of the environment. This study proposes to consider biological associations (populations or ecosystems) as specific economic subjects. It is shown that these associations regularly face the choice between various alternative uses of scarce means, which constitutes economic choice by definition. Different levels of organization in nature and economy are compared. It is defined at which level biological associations can be regarded as the subjects of economic choice in a way analogous to economic agents. A term «agent of evolutionary process»is coined for such associations. The main similarities between economic and ecological systems are listed, namely: spontaneous character of processes, crucial role of internal factors, expansion as the main criterion of determining winners and losers, high number of agents. Key differences between the two types of systems are indicated, which are: much higher number of alternatives treated by the economic agents and higher speed of reaction of the economic agents to the changes in the environment. The conclusion is made that the models where ecosystems are regarded as acting subjects are possible and useful.

In recent years, in many countries around the world the role of society in political decision making quickly strengthened, and the population is increasingly affects the position of the state leaders. For countries pretending to have the support of its policies in other regions, public diplomacy is an essential tool. Today, public diplomacy is regularly used in various conflicts, one of which is the civil war in Syria. Media, Internet, social networks and other tools are used daily to cover the events and create the necessary views of the population in different countries. At the beginning of the article the reasons for the outbreak of the war are discussed from the standpoints of the main actors - the current Syrian government and its opposition, as well as their allies and enemies. The causes of the conflict are essential for further evaluation of the evs, so diametrically opposite points of view of the main actors of the events are analyzed in the material. Then we consider the coverage of the war, because period of direct military action is important to assess the behavior of its members. Among the most important and controversial topics covered by the international media in the conflict, are the use of prohibited weapons, killing of civilians, a violation of international agreements. Determination of the prospects of civil war in Syria is also critical when planning further action by all these events. To get the necessary public support, the parties are trying to have different interpretation of further scenarios. Much depends on this: whether the country's population supports the direction of further assistance or troops, how residents of other countries would react to a further continuation of the conflict, or how the representatives of international organizations would answer the question about the legitimacy of any move. The formation of public opinion in different countries aimed at obtaining approval of its policy on the part of the population and the necessary support for further action. Each of the parties to the conflict, using its own and is making significant opportunities attempts to provide the necessary coverage of the events in this war. Analyzing numerous publications, photos and videos, largely specially rigged to achieve the desired result, it is difficult to say about the objective picture of what is happening, but it is an indisputable fact of enormous human sacrifices, millions of people who have fled their country and the destroyed country in the heart of the Middle East.

The article discusses the political importance of transport corridors in terms of the development of integration projects in the post-Soviet space. The world is witnessing the formation of a single market and transport and communication infrastructure, which intensifies competition among regional and world leaders, both states and non-state actors, such as businesses, markets over the routes of transporting goods. In the medium and long term the value of the control over the transport routes will increase due to the dynamics of economic development in the Asia-Pacific region. Competition for the development of projects of international transport corridors (ITC) between the leading countries in the region will increase, because the ITC entail the formation of a common political space, the reduction of tariff and customs barriers, which provides easy access to the markets of countries linked by ITCs and creates the preconditions for economic integration. The growing political importance of ITC is reflected in the fact that global leaders such as China, the US, the EU, are trying to create their own versions of international land transport corridors connecting Europe and Asia. China is trying to promote their transport project "Economic Belt Silk Road" European countries develop cooperation on ITC TRACECA with other countries of Eurasia. US also embody their interests through the implementation of the project by the ITC in Afghanistan. Transport corridors in Russia are seen as a way to integrate it into the global transportation system and logistics space. To do this, Russia needs to develop Eurasian transport corridors through its territory. As a result of the implementation of transport projects Russia will be able to ensure the transit of goods from China to Europe, which has a positive impact on the economic development of the regions through which they pass. Development of international transportation through Russia will unite many of the players on the world stage: integration associations, state, transnational corporations, business entities, regional authorities.

The article considers the participation of Russia in the system of global governance of climate change. Object of analysis is the Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation. Climate Doctrine states that global warming may have both a negative and positive consequences for our country in view of its geographical position, length and area. These features, as well as the low population density in the regions of greatest climate risk, open up additional opportunities for adaptation to climate change. At the same time it emphasizes the need to prevent conflict of regional interests in the formation of climate policy. The author advocates a more active position of Russia in overcoming the effects of climate change, as well as the reduction of anthropogenic impact on the global climate effects. It emphasizes the role of civil society and the media in the development of environmental awareness among the political elite of the country. The article separately considers Moscow's participation in the formulation and implementation of climate policy in Russia. Currently, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Moscow is working on updating the Memorandum of Understanding between Moscow and C40 (Partnership of major cities in the fight against climate change) as the main framework document regulating cooperation with the C40 and the membership of Moscow in the organization.

The article is an attempt to give careful examination to the issue of intergovernmental conflicts and the OAS's (The Organization of American states) activity on ensuring security in Latin America in particular. The article's focus on last decades is not accidental. The 30-40th of the XX century were marked by major military conflicts in South America that, however, were sidelined after the Second World War. Created on the verge of the Cold war the OAS was considered by the States as a barrier to the spread of communist threat in the Western Hemisphere and in such a capacity the organization went on up to detente policy implementation. All the time the OAS had to challenge different crises. By the time the bipolar world order seized to exist the OAS had had another mission. It was no longer the provision of international security but the local conflicts management including long-standing territorial disputes. The difference in approach to Organization's role and status between the US and Latin American states became distinct in the same period. The former persist in protection of freedoms and the Western way of life against global threats such as international terrorism (especially after 9/11), drug trafficking, gunrunning, money laundering and others crimes (especially those involving violence). The latter are trying to engage the OAS potential to protect their own national and regional interests while becoming integrated into a new global economic and political relations system. Trying to meet the modern challenges the OAS not only creates new bodies, but also makes significant changes in its statutory documents, which unlike the UN makes it more responsive to internal crises. Besides there is a distinct tendency of the Organization's becoming more independent from the US.

The author of this article presents initiatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan to develop cooperation with the European Union that was initiated through 2000 - 2009. In 2000 the Republic of Kazakhstan proposed to EU Comment cooperation doctrine in Central Asia. The purpose of the doctrine lied in expanding cooperation in the areas of trade, economy and investment; in granting access to commodities and services from European markets; in developing collaboration in the areas of energy, transport, communication, finance and banking. In 2006 Kazakhstan introduced a new set of prepossess to the new European Union Strategy for Central Asian 2007-2013 that was developed under the chairmanship of Germany of the EU in the first half of 2007. The Strategy covered areas of cooperation such as regional integration, economic development, democratization, energy and security. In 2008 under the instructions of the President of Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with other ministries developed a state programme "Path to Europe" for 2009 - 2011, which aided the priorities of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the European Union. "Path to Europe" has become a key initiative of the Kazakh foreign policy that was successfully implemented, as well as the most important document aimed at modernization of the national economy and the Kazakh society. In the beginning of2009 using the accumulated positive experience of cooperation with the EU and experience of a number of countries in Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan devised and submitted a concept of a new treaty which was supposed to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1995. The Republic of Kazakhstan's influence eventually persuaded the European Union to agree on the necessity of devising the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

RETRACTED

The article contains the findings of a research into particular aspects of use of identity documents with personal biometric data. It considers the international safety standards of documents with biometric data worked out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), pursuant to which those data should be included into machine-readable documents used by their holders for travel to various states. It contains the information on the implementation of these international standards in Russian and European Union law. The author has substantiated a conclusion to the effect that the procedure established in Russia for production and issuance, as well as for use of international, diplomatic and service passports identifying the Russian Federation citizen outside the Russian Federation territory, containing electronic information carriers with personal and biometric personal data, currently conforms to the international safety standards of documents with biometric data. The article surveys the experience of introducing domestic biometric identity documents - electronic passports in various countries of the world, and the problems arising therefrom. It substantiates the advantages and disadvantages of determining a passport of the Russian Federation citizen issued in the form of an identity card with an electronic information carrier, as the main document of the Russian Federation citizen identifying him domestically within the country's territory.

The article outlines general characteristics of the sources of law, regulating relations associated with mergers, consolidations, acquisitions of joint stock companies in Russia and corporations in the United States respectively in the Russian legislation and the legislation of the United States and individual States. Both in Russia and in the USA there is a constitutional separation of powers between the Federal authorities and the Subjects of the Federation/States respectively. In both countries legal regulation of mergers and acquisitions of corporations is carried out first of all by a number of laws. These laws fall into three main groups: securities laws, antitrust (competition) laws and civil and joint-stock legislation in Russia and corporate laws in the US. All the three groups are federal laws in Russia, while in the US the first two are federal too, but the last one is state laws. It is necessary to highlight the important role of judicial decisions in the United States on legal regulation of mergers, acquisitions, takeovers in comparison with Russia, which is due to the differences in the legal systems of the states in question. However, although Russia is not a state of case law, such legal acts as the resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Commercial Court will undoubtedly have an impact on law enforcement practice and, consequently, on the regulation of relevant relations. Of particular importance are the findings of the Constitutional Court, whose decisions may cancel acts or their separate provisions provided they are recognized as unconstitutional. Such acts are repealed. Decisions of courts and other bodies based on acts or their separate provisions, recognized by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation unconstitutional, are not subject to execution and shall be revised in accordance with the Federal law. The US case law implies existence of a hierarchy of precedents according to which decisions adopted by the higher courts are binding for cases adjudicated in lower courts. Judicial decisions have a major impact on the regulation of mergers and acquisitions of corporations, in particular, the state corporate Laws. The article analyses the main similarities and differences of sources of legal regulation of mergers, consolidations, acquisitions of joint stock companies in Russia and corporations in the United States.

The presented article is devoted to the analysis of the basic principles of development, formation and activity of the institute of rhe Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Peru. This Latin American state only 65 years ago took the democratic pass. Thirteen various constitutions were accepted in the meantime, and only the last constitution of 1993 could proclaim really democtratic principles of a state regime. The constitution recognizes a wide range of personal, socio-economic and political rights and freedoms of individuals. One of the guarantees of their implementation in practice is establishment of the institute of the Commissioner for Human Rights (in the Peruvian legislation referred to "The defender of the people" [Defensor del pueblo (spanish)], which is regulated by chapter 11 of the Political Constitution of 1993, and also by the Organic Act on the Human Rights Protection Agency № 26520 of August 4, 1995. The represented article analyzes the role and the significance of the institute of Human Rights Commissioner in the Republic of Peru on the basis of Peruvian organic legislation. The research paper investigates the procedure for forming this institution, demonstrates the process of electing the Commissioner for Human Rights as well as the appointment of his two deputies. Particular emphasis is laid upon the scope of the Ombudsman's responsibility and his cooperation with other state authorities in the Republic of Peru, including National Congress, along with the value of annual and emergency reports of Human Rights Commissioner to the State's legislative Authority. Special attention is paid to the procedure of consideration of citizen' complaints by the Human Rights Protection Agency. Annually the Commissioner for Human Rights submits the report on activities over the expired year to the Members of Congress, published in the official publication "El Peruano", which contains the report on the number and type of the received complaints, the results of the investigations as well as taken measures and sanctions.

Attitude towards derivable knowledge as a process of satisfaction of cognition needs and also as opportunity for developing flairs and making self-improvement can be called terminal. At the same time, the increase of pragmatism in society and in demands of employers for graduates doesn't stimulate students' interest in terminal values of education. Nowadays students become much more interested in receiving good marks and good exam results than in the matter of subject that they study; they become more attracted by an opportunity of having a good time in university and making helpful acquaintances than by a chance of making a professional self-determination. How spread is the instrumental students' attitude towards studying at the university? Is it possible that under the influence of this phenomenon the terminal values of education may be extruded? These and other questions are being examined on the base of materials of four recurrent sociological researches carried out among MGIMO students in 2001-2013. The main objects of analysis are the values of educational process, relations with fellow-students, essential qualities of lecturer's personality, ways of spending free time. It was found out that the terminal educational values predominate among MGIMO students. They study a lot, tensely and with enthusiasm, spending the modal part of time doing their homework, actively working on their self-improvement. It is revealed that intimate knowledge and self-improvement as 2 main terminal values in education assign multidirectional vectors towards different aspects of educational process.

The article deals with the definition and origin of the notions «mentality (identity)» and «national mentality (identity)» focusing on their complex essence. The article names factors that affect the formation of national identity, at the same time pointing out the aspect of human life that the identity itself affects. The notion «national identity» is revealed via its vocabulary definitions. National identity is analyzed as a factor of inter-cultural communication, its role and importance in this communication are also analyzed. One of the objectives of the research is signing out the limits of the concepts «national identity» and «inter-cultural communication» and revealing the conditions of their interaction and mutual dependence. National identity is a complex notion, which complexity lies within the combination of mental and emotional, spiritual elements. This factor adds extra difficulty into understanding, as well as investigating the notion of national identity. Thus it is not rarely ignored in linguistics, international communication, even in teaching languages. However, nowadays, when globalization makes international contacts and communication widely accessible, many people meet unexpected difficulties that derive from ignoring national identity factor. That is why recently it is getting more and more obvious that taking national identity into consideration can be one of the main keys to successful communication at all levels.

This work is dedicated to the semantic classification of quantitative noun on the basis of a structural study (Nquant + (Adj) +N) (ein Glas frisches Wasser), since this model reveals the greatest variety of grammatical formulation. These word combinations can form by the genitive government eine Tasse starken Kaffees by the grammatical agreement ein Eimer kaltes Wasser, or by the adjunction mit einem Korb reife Apfel. The suggested classification of the noun performing the function of the first components is based on the form of the noun acting as the first component. Types of the first components fall into three groups: 1. The nouns, which specify quantitative characteristics of objects and substances. Two subgroups are also distingshed: word combinations with a noun in a singular form Nquant1a as the second component and word combinations with a noun in a plural form as the second component Nquant1b; 2. The nouns defining a group of living beings and objects Nquant2; 3. The nouns which formation is grounded on quantitative nouns Nquant3. Normative recommendations on the choice of subordinate connection type should be connected at least at the present stage of existence of German literary language, exactly with the semantics of the nouns which are the first components in these word combinations. The article illustrates that all types of constructions (organizes whether on the basis of government, agreement and or adjunction) are connected with the completely specific semantic characteristics of the name, i.e., these nouns belong to one of three groups of noun - first components.

The article regards the interrelation between language and consciousness, but with a special focus on the fact that consciousness is not only the tool and method of reflecting human existence or regulating human actions and relations, but it is as well a special device of evaluating the items and phenomena of real life. Consciousness is understood as a person's world outlook. Society members create and get knowledge in the course of cognitive coactivity. Speech is considered to be one of the types of activity. Outwardly the images of consciousness that are figured in the course of activity are expressed with the help of language tools. The procedure of studying consciousness in psychology is described, in psychology consciousness is understood as a person's image of the world, the connection between consciousness (or the image of the world) and the category of linguistic consciousness is traced, linguistic consciousness is thought to be an integral part of consciousness. As in psychology consciousness is compared with and likened to the so called image of the world, the latter can be represented in a form of the system of meanings. The system of meanings that is moulded in the course of perceiving the real world services and works as a specific system to direct a person in life. The knowledge gained in the course of activity is transformed into personal experience and expertise in a person's consciousness. The essence of the fundamental paradigm of modern psycholinguistics is revealed where the image of linguistic consciousness is the basic research pattern. The image of linguistic consciousness is determined as the image of the world mediated by language, or it can be presented as a collection of images of consciousness expressed with the help of language tools. The images of consciousness exist as word meanings. An attempt is made to prove that linguistic consciousness not only forms, stores or processes language signs and their meanings but also determines the attitude of a person to the items and phenomena of real life. Linguistic consciousness where the axiological factor is regarded as its essence directs a person's activity, determines a person's attitude to the items and phenomena of real life. On the basis of all above - mentioned it is proved that the element of value does exist in linguistic consciousness. Consequently values can be defined as the words with socially built meaning.

The article is devoted to interpretation of historical facts in Umberto Eco's novel " Baudolino ". The subject of interpretation in the novel is medieval history, in particular, the reign of the emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Eco uses the typical for the historical novel method, which is the combination of facts from chronicles and fictional elements; the events are shown by the eyes of an invented character Baudolino. Emphasizing the connection between history and modernity, Eco proposes to revise the stereotypes associated with the mentioned historical period. The portraits of historical figures are borrowed from the chronicles, however in the novel they get more emotional in the perception of the protagonist, typical cliches are replaced by individuality. The opposition of italian communes to the government of Frederick also becomes a part of Baudolino's personal history. The interpretation of many events is based on legendary sources, including local tales of the italian city Alessandria, the legends of Grail and of Prester John. The legendary material fills in the gaps in medieval history. Many events (in particular, the participation of Barbarossa in the Third Crusade) correspond to the chronicles in the descriptive part, however they acquire a fictional motivation. The mystery of the emperor's death is solved in a detective key. The novel presents various doctrines elaborated in the imperial office of Frederick, their authorship is attributed to Baudolino. In the novel «Baudolino» Umberto Eco not only interprets creatively certain facts of the past, but he also practices the postmodern concept of history, according to which the past is unknowable as objective and ultimate truth and therefore it exists only in the form of a narrative. The past and the present have no fundamental difference, the history is always interpreted from the perspective of the present.

Rapid changes in the modern society lead to the alteration of the role of education in it. Knowledge obtained several years ago becomes outdated and not relevant. Permanent development of one's skills and acquirement of new competences are the essential and integral part of a modern society. At the summit in Lisbon in 2000, lifelong education was defined as the priority in the development of educational policy within European Educational Area. Six major principles were also represented. Effective and sustained results of application of lifelong learning conception are closely connected with the implementation of these principles. The Russian Federation signed the Bologna Declaration in 2003. As a result active work on implementing the ideas of lifelong education is conducted. According to statistics, motivation towards continuation of education among the Russian population is extremely low. The author points to the importance of this problem, as motivation is the driving force of every activity. Analyzing European experience the author affirms that creation of the state educational policy based on lifelong learning is one of the key priorities. Active participation of the government will contribute to increase of the motivation towards continuation of education among all the age groups.

The author highlights the necessity for higher education institutions to form and realize students' individual educational paths in the learning process, which is stated in the Federal Law on Education and FSES HPE of the third generation. The article presents an overview of the different approaches to the definition of the term «individual educational path» (IEP). It also gives a brief overview of the existing terms in the Russian terminological system, which are close in meaning to the term above. The author formulates her own tentative definition of the term «IEP» which is based on the analysis made. The article further addresses the solution to the problem of the individualization of higher education learning process in Great Britain, which is described through the term «Personal Development Planning». The meaning of the term is shown through the set of actions: planning, doing things, recording of the self experience, reviewing and evaluating, using the personal knowledge derived from reflection and self understanding as well as own learning abilities to plan future actions. In conclusion, the meanings of the terms «IEP» and «PDP» are compared. The author emphasires the importance of studying Great Britain's experience - the practice of solving problems connected with the individualization of the university learning process and the possibilities to use it to facilitate the implementation of students' individual educational paths in Russian higher education institutions.