Southeast Europe / News
Albanian PM shoots down Starmer’s hopes of asylum seeker “return hub”
Edi Rama firmly rejects allowing the UK to set up a “return hub” on Albanian territory, saying Tirana will only host migrants for Italy.
Syria’s Foreign Minister al-Shaibani meets US Secretary Rubio in Antalya amid sanctions lift announcement
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 15 that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, to discuss the details of lifting sanctions on Syria.
Putin slaps Zelenskiy in the face, skipping the Istanbul meeting, sending a low-level delegation in his place
Russian president Vladimir Putin was a no-show at direct talks he proposed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and sent a low-level delegation instead that didn't include a single minister, in what has been called a “slap in the face”.
Lula presses Putin to attend Ukraine peace talks as Russian leader sends deputies instead
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of voices piling pressure on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to personally attend proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but to no avail.
EU Council president urges Kosovo to de-escalate tensions in the north
Antonio Costa said Kosovo’s progress on its European path hinges on both calm in the north and the normalisation of relations with Serbia.
Turkey’s tourism boom at risk from growing image as “expensive country”, say industry reps
Once seen as more budget-friendly than Egypt or Tunisia, country now often described as on par with Spain, Italy and Greece for overall cost.
Serbia arrests ex-official linked to Trump hotel project in Belgrade
Serbian authorities have arrested a former official on charges of forging documents to facilitate a controversial real estate project backed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
British MPs seek sanctions against Serbia’s President Vucic
Cross-party coalition of over 20 MPs urged the UK government to impose sanctions on Vucic after he attended a military parade in Moscow on May 9.
EBRD2025: Moldova aims to double its economy within a decade
Deputy PM Doina Nistor has outlined plans to transform Moldova into a resilient, innovation-driven economy more closely integrated with the European Union.
China's SWM to launch auto plant in Turkey
BYD's sales of zero-tariff Chinese EVs on Turkish market are, meanwhile, booming.
US President Donald Trump concludes historic meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa
US President Donald Trump met with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on May 14, marking the first encounter between leaders of the two nations in 25 years
Albania’s ruling Socialists secure a fourth term
PM Edi Rama wins an unprecedented fourth consecutive election victory, but opposition claim irregularities and announce protest.
Bulgaria’s parliament speaker blocks euro referendum request
President Rumen Radev caused political crisis by proposing euro referendum just months before Bulgaria is expected to join the eurozone.
EBRD2025: Croatia pushes for regional stock market integration
Croatian Finance Minister Marko Primorac believes by working together countries from the CEE region can advance towards emerging market status more quickly.
Serbia’s gambling problem sparks revenue surge – and social concern
Serbia has emerged as one of Europe’s gambling hotspots, ranking second on the continent in the number of betting shops and casinos per capita.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Albania, Montenegro to be first Western Balkan candidates to join EU, European Council president says
Antonio Costa says it's "not fair" for the Western Balkan countries to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova.
Orban backs away from far-right Romanian presidential candidate Simion
Hungarian PM Orban’s apparent support for ultranationalist politician George Simion sparked a backlash from Romania’s Hungarian minority.
Bosnian politicians move to oust Dodik’s SNSD while he meets Putin and Xi in Moscow
10 political parties sign joint platform on Bosnia’s European future, excluding Milorad Dodik’s SNSD.
Bulgaria’s president to seek referendum on euro adoption
Rumen Radev makes shock move to block euro adoption just months ahead of expected January 2026 Eurozone entry.