In our analysis, we assessed how Romania dealt with the numerous challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2021. In that year, the government had to deal with two waves of COVID-19 pandemics caused by the new variants, the low vaccination rate of the population, the overload of the healthcare system and political instability at the same time. Based on publicly available databases and international literature, we evaluated government measures aimed at reducing the spread of the pandemic and ensure the operation of the healthcare workforce and infrastructure. In addition, we evaluated measures to provide health services effectively and the government’s pandemic responses regarding excess mortality in 2021. In the absence of a complex monitoring system, limited information was available on the spread of the pandemic or the various risk factors at play. Due to incomplete and inadequate management systems, the government was unable to implement timely and adequate measures. Our analysis concludes that the management of a pandemic can only be successful if data are collected and evaluated using complex systems in a timely manner, and if members of society adhere to clearly communicated government measures due to high levels of trust in the government.

In the first year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea suffered significantly less social and economic damage than the V4 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) despite less stringent restrictive measures. In order to explore the causes of the phenomenon, we examined the public health policies and pandemic management of South Korea and the V4 countries and the social and economic outcomes of the measures. We identified the key factors that contributed to successful public health policies and pandemic management in South Korea by reviewing the international literature. Based on the analysis results, South Korea successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the appropriate combination of non-pharmaceutical measures and its advanced public health system. An important lesson for the V4 countries is that successful pandemic management requires a well-functioning surveillance system, a comprehensive testing strategy, an innovative contact tracing system, transparent government communication, and a coordinated public health system. In addition, to develop pandemic management capabilities and capacities in the V4 countries, continuous training of public health human resources, support for knowledge exchange, encouragement of research on communicable disease management, and collaboration with for-profit and non-governmental organizations are recommended.

The sabotage related to the Nord Stream pipelines does not only signify the Russo ‑Ukrainian War’s escalated realities and potential future risks, also tied to the energy security of supply, but in addition to traditional economic and energetic dilemmas, it also has a specific meaning in light of classic geopolitical concepts. Our study aims to highlight that the contradictions between the direct or indirect nation-state stakeholders, even nowadays, fit into the logic of the power plays illustrated in traditional geopolitical theories. And thus, the events related to the Nord Stream 2 project, as guiding principles, underline not only the energy relations of relevant international state actors appearing in the pipeline’s environment but also in the context of geopolitical positions and the structure of potential geopolitical transformations.

This article provides an empirical analysis aimed at evaluating the financial trends and disparities at the sector level within the Balkan and Eastern European region. The dataset encompasses a period of nine years and comprises more than 20 million firm-year observations from 24 industries in 21 countries. It uses 19 financial ratios to assess sectoral performance. In the empirical investigation, trend analysis and the two-step cluster analysis methods were used. Following the global financial crisis, a significant proportion of financial ratios exhibited favorable trends, indicating robust business and economic circumstances. Nevertheless, this trajectory was temporarily disrupted in 2020 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2021, the financial ratios had reverted back to their historical patterns. Country membership, margin, liquidity, trade turnover, profitability, and leverage ratios are the most effective variables for explaining differences in sectoral performance. Sector membership is a comparatively less influential factor. Although this study effectively identified significant disparities in financial ratio profiles, it does not suggest that companies in the most developed countries in the region attain the most favorable financial performance. Stakeholders who have a vested interest in this region should carefully contemplate the ramifications of the findings from this study.

In the spring of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as one of the most complex and most serious challenges of the European Union, threatening the lives and quality of life of European citizens and the economy and healthcare systems of EU Member States. The fight against the pandemic required the collaboration of many different disciplines and sectors, and over time it had become clear that co-operation between EU Member States and EU organisations is essential for successful crisis management. This cross-border healthcare emergency has seriously tested the mechanisms set by EU treaties and legislations, as well as the organisations responsible for shaping and implementing the European Union’s public health policy. Over the past year we have gained valuable data on how the system of rules and task sharing mechanisms have supported the fight against the pandemic and its effects. By reviewing and examining our findings, we may find answers about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the European Union’s public health policy and how it can be further developed.