Bosnia & Herzegovina
€1bn EU energy crisis aid in Western Balkans largely untraceable, watchdog says
CEE Bankwatch research reveals only €163.1mn of €1bn spent could be clearly linked to advancing the Green Agenda.
Serbia facilitated arms transit to Ukraine despite Russian warnings
Serbia continued to permit arms shipments destined for Ukraine to transit its territory even after receiving direct warnings from Moscow, according to a BIRN investigation.
EU risks fuelling democratic decline in Balkans as reform credibility erodes, report warns
The European Union is prioritising short-term stability over genuine democratic reform, says a report from the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group.
Which countries have received Trump's tariff letters? – Statista
US President Donald Trump has delayed his so-called “reciprocal” tariffs once more, with the new deadline set for August 1, Statista reports.
European Parliament calls for reforms and action on foreign interference in Western Balkans
MEPs warn that democratic backsliding and geopolitical vulnerabilities could stall progress across the region.
Trump announces tariffs on imports from Serbia and Bosnia
37% import tariffs for Serbia are among the highest globally.
Western Balkan leaders meet in Skopje to advance EU Growth Plan
Growth Plan aims to fast-track the Western Balkans' convergence with the EU through deeper market access, pre-accession funding and regional cooperation.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
BALKAN BLOG: Western Balkans military build-up continues as the world looks elsewhere
As the world’s attention remains focused on the wars in Ukraine and, more recently, the Middle East, several countries in the Western Balkans are ramping up their military capacities.
Global uncertainty causes FDI to plummet in Emerging Europe
wiiw research blames crisis in German industry and the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s second term as US president for sharp slowdown in FDI.
Bosnia’s Republika Srpska mulls setting up reserve police force
Creation of auxiliary police force is widely seen as a move towards formalising the existence of paramilitary groups in Bosnia's Serb entity.
Bosnia’s coal plants the biggest polluters in Western Balkans, CEE Bankwatch survey shows
Across the region, six units exceeded their individual ceilings for sulphur dioxide emissions by more than ten times last year, according to a survey by environmental NGO CEE Bankwatch.
Russia provoking conflict in Western Balkans as leverage against West, think-tank says
Instability in the Western Balkans "presents Russia with a win-win scenario", says FPRI analysis.
INTERVIEW: Western Balkans attract tech and services FDI as manufacturing outlook dims
Global uncertainty prompted the EBRD to lowered its outlook for the Western Balkans, but the bank’s Matteo Colangeli points to the region’s continued attractiveness for IT and services outsourcing.
Ukraine’s “enemies database” adds foreign leaders over Moscow ties
A Ukrainian website that catalogues perceived "enemies of Ukraine" has added several prominent Russia-friendly foreign leaders to its database, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Bosnia’s Republika Srpska arrests opposition leader
SDS accused Republika Srpska's ruling SNSD of a "terror" campaign against the opposition after party leader Milan Milicevic's arrest.
Deloitte EMEA Fast 500 Technology ranking brims with Turkish, CEE and SEE startups
Top entry from Turkey is Novi Robot, a maker of automation systems for manufacturing plants.
Construction bosses turn witness in Turkey’s investigation into “Imamoglu Crime Syndicate”
Prosecution secures confessions from multiple individuals who experience claimed enlightenment in jail. Critics contend probe is entirely political and bogus.
COMMENT: Full speed ahead with reforms in the Western Balkans rail sector
The region must continue to transform its rail sector to become more eco-friendly, accessible and digitalised.
Bosnia’s top court annuls secessionist laws passed by Republika Srpska
Legislation deemed an attempt to undermine Bosnia’s central authority.