North Macedonia
Nato agrees 'fundamental shift' to counter Russia
Security alliance’s leaders agree a big increase in troop deployments on its Eastern Flank, more help for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, and a new Strategic Concept.
North Macedonia’s PPI jumps 21.7% y/y in May
PPI growth across all sectors continues trend present in North Macedonia since February 2021.
Bulgaria’s parliament approves French compromise to lift veto on opening of North Macedonia’s EU talks
North Macedonia has already rejected the French EU Presidency's compromise plan because it foregrounds Bulgaria's complaints about its neighbour.
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.
Leaders of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia to attend EU summit after dropping boycott plans
Aleksandar Vucic, Edi Rama and Dimitar Kovacevski will travel to Brussels for EU Council to show their commitment to joining the EU despite frustration with stalled accession process.
North Macedonia’s opposition VMRO-DPMNE seeks snap elections with major protest
Thousands join opposition protest in Skopje, where anti-government sentiment is fuelled by soaring living costs and failure to progress towards EU accession.
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.
Prime minsters of Albania and Montenegro visit Kyiv in show of support
With a critical EU Council meeting coming up next week, much of the discussion centred on the three countries’ prospects for EU accession.
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.
North Macedonia’s central bank raises key rate by 0.25 pp for the third time
Three consecutive months of hikes bring the key rate to 2% in a bid to maintain price stability.
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.
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North Macedonia court orders confiscation of opposition party’s headquarters
Prosecutors established that the land where VMRO-DPMNE's Skopje headquarters stands was acquired illegally by the party.
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.
CONFERENCE CALL: Globsec basks in Putin's humiliation
In contrast to previous conferences of the Bratislava-based security think-tank, there was a feeling that the West is no longer on the back foot and that now is the time to press home its advantage.
Controversial Bulgarian cultural centre in North Macedonia set on fire
Arson attack on centre named after a Nazi collaborator complicates efforts to mend relations between Sofia and Skopje and unblock North Macedonia's EU path.
War and soaring prices take toll on Southeast Europe's listed companies
Even companies without operations in Russia or Ukraine are affected by the supply chain disruptions and hikes in food and energy prices.
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?
No progress in talks between Bulgaria, North Macedonia on lifting veto on EU accession talks
Sofia is under pressure to allow Skopje to start EU accession talks by the end of June, after a veto imposed for the first time two years ago, but Bulgarian officials are not sending promising signs.
CEE companies weather the COVID-19 crisis
Prompt and decisive government intervention, financial lifelines and firms’ involvement in global value chains have helped minimise insolvencies, says EIB/EBRD report.
Macron urges Sofia and Skopje to solve their dispute amid tensions in Europe
Pressure on Sofia to lift its veto and allow North Macedonia to start EU accession talks has increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine raised fears of destabilisation in the Western Balkans.
