Montenegro
Looming new coronavirus wave prompts vaccination push in Southeast Europe
With the delta variant starting to spread in Southeast Europe, officials are warning of a new wave of the pandemic that may put pressure on hospitals as early as August or September.
Montenegro repays first instalment of Chinese motorway loan
Podgorica struggled to repay loan for Bar-Boljare motorway after Montenegrin economy suffered the deepest contraction across the emerging Europe region in 2020.
Montenegro's central bank sets up fintech hub
Hub to provide support to startups and banks active in the fintech field.
CONFERENCE CALL: Economists warn over inflation and rising debt
As the world starts to emerge from the Coronacrisis, economists on an EBRD panel warned over rising inflation, debt and the uneven recovery from the crisis, with emerging markets and developing economies lagging behind their richer peers.
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.
Four Southeast European countries commit to exiting coal energy
The step is most significant for Montenegro and North Macedonia, which generate around half of their electricity from coal.
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.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Small transition states particularly vulnerable to ‘corrosive capital’
Countries from the former Yugoslavia have seen a series of un-transparent investments with a geo-political agenda, says think tank CIPE.
Montenegro aims to become EU member in 2024
Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic sets optimistic target but will struggle to make required reforms with ruling coalition deeply divided.
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: Srebrenica casts a long shadow over regional politics
Montenegro’s resolution on the Srebrenica genocide sparks tensions at home and across former Yugoslavia.
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.
Montenegro’s ruling coalition in question after justice minister sacked over genocide denial
PM Zdravko Krivokapic faced strong opposition from some ruling coalition members when he decided to remove Vladimir Leposavic from the justice ministry.
Montenegro's parliament finally approves budget for 2021
PM Zdravko Krivokapic strikes deal with unruly coalition partners by dropping amendment that would have allowed government to borrow €900mn for early loan repayments.
Montenegro suffers Europe’s steepest fall in GDP in Q1
Crisis persists into 2021 despite slight easing in rate of GDP contraction in January-March.
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.
COMMENT: Time to end Putin's impunity
The price faced by Russia for aggression must be too high for the Kremlin to countenance, and this is the message that Biden should deliver to Putin – and act upon.
