Central Europe / News
Albania and Montenegro could conclude EU accession talks by 2026-27, enlargement commissioner says
But Marta Kos warns "external forces" actively seeking to block certain countries from EU accession.
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Lithuania’s former chief of defence tells bne IntelliNews: “Several key questions need to be answered”
The four American troops who went missing during an exercise at the Pabrade training area in Lithuania on March 25 are presumably dead, and their vehicle has been found in a swamp.
Poland tightens asylum rules
Poland has imposed a 60-day restriction on asylum applications at its border with Belarus, with the measure taking effect immediately on March 27.
Hungary to expand energy cooperation with Russia, foreign minister says in live stream from Red Square
Hungary views the operations of its oil company MOL in Russia as highly successful and expects further expansion, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said during his visit to Moscow.
Four American soldiers missing after exercise in Lithuania found dead in swamp
The four American troops who went missing during an exercise at the Pabrade training area in Lithuania on March 25 are dead, and their vehicle has been found in a swamp.
Protesters in Budapest rally against amendment to assembly law, blocking bridges
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Budapest on March 25 to demand the withdrawal of a controversial amendment to Hungary's assembly law and against what organisers called techno fascism.
IKEA to make Budapest store world's largest fulfillment centre
Swedish furniture retailer IKEA will transform its store in southern Budapest to become the world's largest fulfillment centre by 2026, tripling warehouse capacity to support both in-store and online orders from a €50mn investment.
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Progressive Slovakia and Smer are neck and neck in latest March poll
The largest opposition party, centrist Progressive Slovakia, maintains a narrow lead of 21.7% ahead of the ruling Smer party (21.2%) of the populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Hungarian central bank keeps rates on hold in first rate-setting meeting under new MNB leadership
Hungary's Monetary Council left the base rate on hold at 6.5% for the sixth straight month on 25 March at the first rate-setting meeting under the new MNB leadership in line with the consensus.
Latvia faces scrutiny over massive heroin shipment to Germany
On March 23, Latvian Television’s investigative programme De facto reported on how a massive heroin shipment managed to pass through Latvia en route to Germany, despite prior intelligence warning of such an operation.
TNT ammunition depot in Czechia explodes
The cause of the explosion is currently unclear, but police said a “technical issue” is “the most likely cause”.
Viktor Orban's rival launches "Voice of the Nation" consultation on economic and political issues
Hungary's opposition Tisza Party has launched "Voice of the Nation" referendum, aiming to gauge public opinion on a range of social, economic and political issues ahead of next year's elections.
Scandal surrounding Hungarian central bank’s investments spreads to Polish developer GTC
Hungary's central bank-linked foundations are facing renewed scrutiny over their investment practices after a scathing report from the State Audit Office triggered a sell-off in assets linked to their portfolio.
European Commission launches inquiry over BYD’s Hungarian investment
The European Commission has launched an investigation into whether BYD received unfair state subsidies from China to support the construction of its Hungarian factory.
Slovak PM Fico insists his policies are ‘sovereign’ after not blocking EU’s Ukrainian policy
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico insisted his policies are “sovereign” after he took part in the EU summit, which he had threatened to boycott earlier.
Hungarian PM vetoes joint declaration at EU summit
"I have vetoed the joint declaration regarding Ukraine because we cannot support any joint position before Hungarians express their opinion on Ukraine's European Union membership," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on March 20 in a video.
Hungary's State Audit Office files criminal complaint over operation of National Bank foundations
Hungary's State Audit Office has filed a criminal complaint over multiple suspected offences related to the financial management of the foundations controlled by the National Bank.
Opposition lights smoke flares, sings Soviet anthem in parliament as Fidesz lawmakers restrict right of assembly, banning Pride March
Hungary's parliament has approved legislation to amend assembly laws in a fast-track procedure that effectively bans Pride marches.
Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it
Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.
MOL finds oil in southwest Hungary
New oil field discovered with a potential production capacity of 1,200 barrels per day.