Southeast Europe / Features

Romanian liberals orchestrated Georgescu campaign funding, investigation reveals

Denis Cenusa in Berlin December 22, 2024

Russia was accused of interfering in Romania’s presidential election November 24 presidential election that saw far-right and pro-Russian outsider Calin Georgescu storm to a shock first round victory. An investigation found otherwise.

Turkey, Syria tandem could mean piped Qatari gas for Europe and a supercharged Middle East clean energy transition

bne IntelliNews December 21, 2024

Prize could be huge for Ankara and Damascus if the Syrian fighting is really over.

PANNIER: Why the Turkmenistan, Iran gas “friendship” is back on

Bruce Pannier December 20, 2024

In tough struggle to find new export markets, Turkmen even agree to Iranian contractors building infrastructure in tightly controlled Central Asian country.

Russia reaps harvest of chaos in nearby democracies

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 19, 2024

Allegations of interference surround recent elections in Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova and Romania.

International highway tears through Bosnia’s rural heartlands

Aidą Kadyrzhanova in Bosnia December 19, 2024

Corridor Vc has been portrayed as a panacea for Bosnia’s economic woes, but local residents say it threatens their hard-won peace and prosperity.

FDI in Emerging Europe hit by geopolitical uncertainty and German slowdown

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 18, 2024

wiiw report warns lower investment trend could continue as Central and Eastern Europe's role as a production hub for Western companies is waning.

More help needed for Ukraine’s ravaged energy sector

Newsbase December 16, 2024

A multi-million-euro fund launched by Ukraine’s European allies to help the war-ravaged energy sector is running low on cash as power providers struggle to keep the lights on this winter.

Bureks vs. Big Macs

bne IntelliNews December 15, 2024


International fast-food chains are expanding in the Western Balkans, but can they rival local offerings on taste or price?

COMMENT: A stable Syria could become a major energy hub

Ben Aris in Berlin December 12, 2024

It’s been a pipe dream for decades, but with the fall of the Assad regime a stable Syria means a pipeline connecting Qatar to Turkey is possible, which would connect the gas fields of the Middle East to Europe.

As jubilant Syrian refugees in Turkey celebrate Assad downfall, analysts wonder what comes next in power vacuum

bne IntelliNews December 9, 2024

Ankara, meanwhile, already criticised for trying to use chaos as cover for attacks on Kurds as it tries to change map in its favour.

Emerging Europe winemakers sparkle as global wine production declines

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow December 4, 2024

Global production is set to fall 2% this year, but countries in Emerging Europe including Georgia, Hungary and Russia are bucking the trend, says the OIV.

Poor market conditions start to put Emerging Europe IPOs on hold

bne IntelliNews December 4, 2024

In the last few days it was announced that two planned IPOs in Central and Southeast Europe will be postponed, reflecting broader challenges in market conditions.

EBRD warns of risks for emerging markets pursuing industrial policies

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 26, 2024

Industrial policy is back "with a vengeance” but can have a distorting effect, EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik told bne IntelliNews

PROFILE: Calin Georgescu, Romanian far-right presidential candidate

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 25, 2024

Shock first round lead for rank outsider reflects voters' deep dissatisfaction with the country’s mainstream parties.

INTERVIEW: Fintech in a volatile world

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 24, 2024

iBanFirst’s regional director for Southeast Europe Johan Gabriels discusses the rise of the fintech sector in the region.

So you want to get on the right side of Donald Trump? Try gift-wrapping a hotel

bne bureaus November 15, 2024

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

Clare Nuttall in Chisinau November 14, 2024

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

Clare Nuttall in Chisinau November 12, 2024

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

Clare Nuttall in Chisinau November 11, 2024

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

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow November 6, 2024

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.

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