Kosovo
Belgrade accuses Kosovo of ‘threatening war’ with new entry rules for Serbs
PM Albin Kurti announces controversial new rules for crossing the border into Kosovo with Serbian ID cards and licence plates.
Kosovo’s population dropped to 1.77mn in 2021 as emigration outweighed natural increase
Kosovans who returned home when the pandemic spread across Europe in spring 2020 went abroad again in 2021.
Albania and North Macedonia remain stuck in EU accession process
Longtime candidate countries North Macedonia and Albania are still unable to begin accession talks because of a Bulgarian veto, while Montenegro and Serbia are no closer to joining, and Bosnia-Herzegovina has not yet been granted candidate status.
COMMENT: Towards sustainable, safe and smart roads in the Western Balkans
The lack of adequate road infrastructure, as well as road maintenance, has been a persistent impediment to growth in the Western Balkans, but infrastructure bottlenecks are now being addressed.
Macron wants ‘accelerated co-operation’ for Moldova as details of EU ‘political community’ proposal leak
On Ukraine's border and with part of its territory controlled by Russia-backed separatists, Moldova is hoping for a positive answer to its application for EU candidate status.
MEPs urge EU member states to recognise Kosovo
Five EU countries do not recognise Kosovo as an independent state, stymieing its hopes of joining the bloc.
BALKAN BLOG: How to keep the EU accession dream alive
With accession bogged down in political disputes, alternatives to the current EU enlargement process are being considered.
Kosovo applies for CoE membership, plans to apply for EU candidate status by year end
Application to the Council of Europe filed after Russia pulled out of the body in March, giving Kosovo a better chance of securing membership.
Vucic resists pressure from Scholz to join Russia sanctions at tense press conference
Serbian president restates Belgrade's position that it will not join western sanctions on Russia despite appeals from German chancellor to fall into line with EU policy.
Bosnia and Montenegro attend Open Balkan summit but Kosovo shuns event
North Macedonia's PM Dimitar Kovacevski says doors to Open Balkan, founded to improve regional economic co-operation, "remain open" to all Western Balkan states.
KLA veterans try to storm Kosovan parliament
Veterans angry at being left out of minimum wage increases tried to force their way into the parliament.
EU’s credibility on the line over enlargement
Austria’s foreign minister calls enlargement the EU’s biggest geopolitical instrument – but will member states use it to encourage candidates and would-be candidates at the upcoming EU Council?
Borrell says EU should step up engagement in Western Balkans to counter Russia threat
EU high commissioner warns decision of most candidate countries to align to the EU sanction policy exposes them to threats from Russia.
EBRD 2022: Why Kosovo is one of the fastest growing economies in emerging Europe
Kosovo is set to achieve the third-fastest growth in emerging Europe after gas-rich Eurasian countries Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan this year. Minister of Finance Hekuran Murati explains why.
EBRD 2022: Coal-dependent Kosovo prepares for leap to renewables
Kosovo, which relies heavily on coal power generation, is preparing to leapfrog entirely over natural gas power, straight to renewable energy.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Public debt starts to decline in the Western Balkans
Across the region, the average publicly guaranteed debt to GDP ratio fell from 60.8% of GDP in 2020 to 56.5% in 2021, a World Bank report shows.
Western Balkan countries face new economic challenges with growth set to slow to 3.1% this year
The war in Ukraine sends shockwaves across the region and the World Bank warns of "daunting" downside risks to the current outlook.
Where the 11 Southeast European states stand on the Ukraine war
Southeast Europe is split over the issues of sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine, with some states firmly in the western camp, some staying neutral and others internally torn.
Serbia’s pro-Russian media turn on Putin
Russia risks losing one of its last remaining European friends after President Vladimir Putin hints Moscow may drop support for Serbia on Kosovo issue.
