Kosovo
Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo blame each other for failed talks in Brussels
No progress on normalisation of relations at second meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Kosovo’s annual inflation speeds up to 2.4% y/y in June
Kosovo's inflation has been speeding up gradually every month since it turned positive in February.
Western Balkans scrap roaming tariffs
Politicians say lifting of roaming tariffs is just the first step as cooperation efforts deliver financial benefits for citizens of the EU-aspiring region.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Scaling back the state
The coronacrisis saw the role of the state increase, but post-crisis efforts towards privatisation and a stepping back of the state from the economy are expected.
Under half of emerging Europe economies to achieve full recovery in 2021
EBRD says recovery from the coronacrisis is progressing faster than expected, but many emerging Europe economies won’t return to 2019 levels of GDP until 2022.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: ‘Yugo-nostalgia’ fading but not gone
Since Yugoslavia started to disintegrate, a whole generation has grown up but there are still some in the region who look back nostalgically.
Overwhelming majority in Western Balkans support regional co-operation
Latest Balkan Barometer shows 77% want regional -, and most value relations with the EU above those with China, Russia or Turkey.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Historical conflicts hold region’s EU future to ransom
North Macedonia not expected to get green light for start of accession negotiations at this week’s EU Council meeting, while Bosnia and Kosovo have yet to achieve candidate status.
IMF says Kosovo’s GDP growth depends on vaccine rollout and diaspora travel
IMF expects growth in 5-6% range in 2021, but warns growth prospects are "uncertain".
Leaders of Serbia and Kosovo fail to make progress in normalisation dialogue
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says there was nothing the two sides could agree on at meeting with Kosovan PM Albin Kurti.
International banking groups look to expand in Central and Southeast Europe despite pandemic
International banking groups remain committed to the region, with their strategies tilted towards expansion or stability despite the coronavirus pandemic, EIB survey shows.
Rethink of global supply chains creates opportunity for Western Balkans
Region is ideally positioned as a nearshoring destination for West European companies but reforms are needed if it is to attract potentially billions of euros in foreign direct investment.
European commissioner confirms €30bn EU investment plan for Western Balkans
Plan will only be effective if region works together Oliver Varhelyi tells summit marred by verbal clash between prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo.
US to impose sanctions against individuals who destabilise Western Balkans
Executive order signed by US President Joe Biden shows Washington's increased engagement and no tolerance for corruption in the Western Balkans.
Kosovo’s PPI inflation speeds up to 2% y/y in 1Q21
After falling for most of 2020, PPI inflation returned to the level last seen in the first quarter of 2019.
Western Balkans do better than eastern EU members on LBGTI rights
Montenegro has the best legal and policy environment for LGBTI people in the emerging Europe region, ILGA-Europe's latest Rainbow Europe Map shows.
Regional leaders urge EU to speed up enlargement for entire Western Balkans
Presidents of Croatia, Slovenia and aspiring EU members from the Western Balkans say enlargement is a "geopolitical necessity".
Slovenian President Pahor supports EU enlargement of entire Western Balkans
Ahead of Slovenia's 6-month EU presidency Borut Pahor says only entry of all six countries to the bloc would provide peace and stability in the region
Money laundering pushes up property prices in Western Balkan cities
Real estate and construction sectors are being used to launder illicit money from the drugs trade and migrant trafficking, leading to a hike in prices, says Global Initiative report.
Free electricity in northern Kosovo allows bitcoin mining to flourish
The number of miners and cryptocurrency investors in Kosovo have increased in recent years as the value of bitcoin started to rise rapidly in 2017.
