Southeast Europe / News
Transnistria seeks €122mn loan as economic crisis worsens
Economic downturn follows Russia’s decision to halt its long-standing practice of supplying free natural gas to the Moldovan separatist republic.
Albania emerges as new frontrunner in EU accession process
European Parliament’s rapporteur for Albania confirmed to bne IntelliNews the country is now considered a frontrunner among the EU accession candidates.
Romanian opposition to file no-confidence motion against Bolojan government over fiscal package
AUR and fellow far-right parties fall short of the 233 MPs needed for the motion to succeed, but are looking for defectors from the four-party ruling coalition.
European Parliament calls for reforms and action on foreign interference in Western Balkans
MEPs warn that democratic backsliding and geopolitical vulnerabilities could stall progress across the region.
Global lenders line up to finance North Macedonia’s €1.9bn high-speed rail project
16 international financial institutions and commercial banks have expressed interest in financing the ambitious Corridor X project.
World Bank celebrates 75th year in Turkey
On July 7, 1950, the World Bank approved its first loan to Turkey, namely a $3.9mn facility for a grain storage project, the development bank said in a press release for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of its partnership with the country.
Trump announces tariffs on imports from Serbia and Bosnia
37% import tariffs for Serbia are among the highest globally.
Bulgaria gets final green light to join eurozone in January 2026
European Council and Parliament back Bulgaria to become the 21st member of the eurozone.
Albania issues arrest warrants in tax, money laundering probe targeting Bankers Petroleum
Chinese-owned Bankers is the developer of Albania's Patos-Marinza oil field, one of the biggest onshore oil fields in Europe.
Government and opposition spar over pro-Nazi salutes at Croatia’s largest-ever concert
Video footage showed many attendees at Thompson's concert raising their arms in a Ustasha salute.
Moldova urges EU to begin accession talks ahead of September elections
Deputy PM Cristina Gherasimov argued an early start to accession talks would demonstrate tangible progress to voters and help counter Russian-backed disinformation.
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Bomb threat forces evacuation of Kosovo's parliament
Incident comes amid a deepening political impasse as lawmakers have repeatedly failed to elect a new speaker since the February general election.
17th ECO summit in Azerbaijan: a wrap-up
The 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) took place in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, with the first international visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian since Israel's bombing of the country
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Three Turkish opposition mayors arrested as Erdoğan’s crackdown intensifies
Three prominent mayors from Turkey’s main opposition party Republican People’s Party were arrested on the morning of July 5, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cracks down on his political opponents ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
Outrage after Serbian president pardons men who broke student’s jaw
Anger has grown after President Aleksandar Vucic pardoned four men accused of attacking a student in Novi Sad earlier this year – one of whom broke her jaw.
Turkey's Erdoğan calls for developing relations with new Syria leadership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for developing relations with Syria's new authorities at the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan's Khankendi.
Turkey’s first lady meets Pope Leo XIV in Vatican
The meeting was held during Erdogan’s visit to attend the “Fraternal Economy Session on Ethical Multilateralism” programme hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Turkey lynching local humour mag LeMan over alleged prophet Mohammed cartoon
Radical Islamist mobs attacked Istanbul-based satirical magazine LeMan’s office. Police beat its personnel while detaining them. Politicians led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have targeted the magazine.
UPDATE: Kurdish PKK announces plans to surrender fighters' weapons in northern Iraq
The Kurdistan Workers' Party announced on July 3 that its fighters in northern Iraq will begin surrendering weapons in the first concrete step toward disarmament as part of peace efforts
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Serbia enters fifth day of protests, 79 arrested overnight
Serbian police detained 79 people overnight as student-led protests and acts of civil disobedience entered their fifth consecutive day.