Southeast Europe / Features
So you want to get on the right side of Donald Trump? Try gift-wrapping a hotel
Though he’s busy preparing for his second stint in the White House, his brand is still doing business the world over.
Moldova's EU ambitions and the Transnistria dilemma
Officials in Chisinau want a peaceful end to the long-frozen conflict – but the leaders of the separatist Transnistria republic are protesting their own interests.
Efficiency savings and renewables key to Moldova’s long-term energy security, says EBRD
Energy efficiency investments are critical to Moldova's long-term energy security, the EBRD's head of Moldova told bne IntelliNews.
Moldova’s electronics sector rises again
Moldova has built a modern, export-oriented electronics industry after the collapse of its Soviet-era defence-focussed factories.
Congratulatory words for Trump mask fears of destabilisation in Western Balkans
Political leaders take to X to congratulate Trump, while speculation mounts about whether his second presidency will enable destabilisation of the situations in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Ukraine war fuelling a manufacturing and FDI boom in the CIS
The war in Ukraine is fuelling a FDI and manufacturing boom in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as local entrepreneurs rush to fill the gaping holes left in Russia’s supply chains by departing Western firms, reports Oxford Economics.
EU enlargement progresses amid geopolitical tensions
Several aspiring EU members make significant progress in 2024, but more reforms needed, says European Commission’s latest enlargement package.
INTERVIEW: Draghi report recommendations could lift eastern EU members’ economies, says EBRD chief economist
Central and Eastern Europe have achieved spectacular growth over the last 30 years, but those sources of growth have been depleted, Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews.
Narrow win for pro-EU camp in Moldovan referendum could be warning sign for Georgia
Both countries face a high level of Russian interference around elections critical for their geopolitical orientation.
Far right the only winners from Bulgaria’s broken political system
Extreme apathy ahead of Bulgaria’s seventh general election since 2021, with little hope of a stable government.
Fethullah Gulen, an alternative obituary
Just who was the Turkish preacher and Erdogan ally-turned-foe who died in Pennsylvania on Sunday October 20?
Western Balkan countries’ growth paths diverge
Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia are pulling ahead, while Bosnia and North Macedonia are being held back by lower external demand and domestic fiscal pressures, says new World Bank report.
Moldova’s twin elections to determine its geopolitical future
Russia is using its arsenal of hybrid tools, from disinformation to outright bribery, in a bid to derail Moldova from its EU accession path.
Central and Southeastern Europe defies German economic weakness
The wiiw autumn forecast warns that not all of the recession in the German automotive industry has so far been felt in Central Europe and further difficulties should be expected.
Purcari Wineries unveils new growth strategy as it nears bicentenary
Winemaker plans to hike profits and pursue aggressive expansion in Central and Eastern Europe region.
Five Turkic states give nod to common Latin alphabet
Expect to hear some grumbles from the purveyors of Cyrillic in Moscow.
Western Balkans emerges as nearshoring destination
wiiw study reveals FDI soared in recent years, with strong interest from Asian investors.
Nearshoring security
As European countries look for external solutions to immigration and prison overcrowding, Albania and Kosovo have struck controversial deals with Italy and Denmark.
Southeast European countries increase defence spending amid rising tensions
Southeast European countries including Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia have announced significant increases in defence spending.
LONG READ: Europe has lost its competitive edge
In the first year of the war in Ukraine the lights started to go out across Europe as the consequences of cutting off Russian trade and gas began to kick in. Now the malaise has spread. Europe has fallen behind the US and being caught up by the EMs.