Southeast Europe / News

EU presses ahead with December signing of divisive Mercosur deal

bnl editorial staff October 1, 2025

The European Commission is gearing up to sign its contentious trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur on December 5 in Brazil, possibly sealing the fate of an accord that has languished in negotiations for more than a quarter-century.

Bulgaria aims to become regional leader in small modular reactors, says energy minister

bne IntelliNews October 1, 2025

Bulgaria will leverage its favourable geographical location and diverse energy mix, Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov said.

Romanian cold cuts producer Cris-Tim confirms Bucharest IPO plans

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 30, 2025

Cris-Tim Family Holding is one of the largest meat processors and ready meal producers in Romania.

Moldova aims for rapid EU accession process after PAS election victory

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 30, 2025

Ruling PAS has set the goal of completing EU accession chapters by 2028, before the next general election.

Russia could use UN Security Council presidency to destabilise Bosnia, ISW warns

bne IntelliNews September 29, 2025

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia will use its United Nations Security Council presidency to “review the implementation of the Dayton Accords”, indicating Kremlin aims to create instability in the Balkans.

Bulgarian transport inspectors detained for demanding bribes from Robbie Williams concert trucks

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade September 29, 2025

Bulgarian inspectors stopped UK-registered trucks carrying equipment for Robbie Williams' Sofia concert and reportedly requested cash before allowing them to proceed.

Preliminary results show pro-EU PAS keeps its majority in Moldova

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 29, 2025

PAS victory will allow Moldova to continue work towards EU accession and keep dream of joining by 2028 alive.

Serbia arrests two suspected trainers of Moldovan election disrupters

bne IntelliNews September 28, 2025

Pair arrested on suspicion of training Moldovan and Romanian citizens to carry out unrest during Moldova’s September 28 general election.

Croatian PM angrily rejects Hungarian accusations of war profiteering

bne IntelliNews September 27, 2025

"We're the good guy," says Andrej Plenkovic after Hungarian foreign minister claims Zagreb is profiting from disruptions in Russian supplies.

European diplomats warn Kremlin that Nato is prepared to shoot planes over its airspace

Ben Aris in Berlin September 26, 2025

European diplomats warned the Kremlin that Nato is prepared to shoot down any Russian fighter jets that violate their airspace, as military tensions between the EU and Russia continue to mount.

Romania sets rules for response to unauthorised aircraft, destruction a last resort

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 26, 2025

Procedures drawn up after multiple Russian incursions into airspace of Romania and other Nato Eastern Flank countries.

Oligarch’s extradition gives Moldovan ruling party pre-election PR boost

bne IntelliNews September 26, 2025

Once the most powerful man in Moldova, Vlad Plahotniuc faces criminal charges relating to the “$1bn bank theft” scandal.

Serbian nationalists hold torchlight vigils to mark Banjska attack

bne IntelliNews September 24, 2025

Serbian nationalists staged torchlight processions in Belgrade and Novi Sad to mark the second anniversary of a deadly armed clash in the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo.

Russia steps up propaganda ahead of election with claim EU plans to “occupy” Moldova

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 24, 2025

President Maia Sandu warns Russian interference threatens Moldova's sovereignty, independence and European future.

Serbia to sign new gas supply deal with Russia in October

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade September 23, 2025

Serbia, which imported about 3bn cubic metres of Russian gas in 2024, remains among the most energy-dependent countries in Europe.

Moldova dismantles Russia-trained network ahead of general election

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest September 23, 2025

Group trained in Serbia under Russian special services was preparing mass unrest around the September 28 election, as part of Kremlin's hybrid war in Moldova.

Flydubai launches Romania's second route with inaugural Iași service

bnm Gulf bureau September 22, 2025

Flydubai becomes the first UAE carrier to serve Iași with twice-weekly flights from Dubai, expanding its Romanian network alongside triple daily Bucharest service.

EU finance ministers discuss Ukraine's Reparations Loan but no decision yet

Ben Aris in Berlin September 21, 2025

EU finance ministers met in Copenhagen on September 20 to discuss tapping the cash pile of frozen Central Bank of Russia (CBR) money and using it to make a large Reparation Loans to Ukraine, but no final decision has been reached.

Serbia stages one of its largest military parades in decades

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade September 21, 2025

Fighter jets roared over the capital in a spectacle designed to showcase the power of the Serbian Armed Forces at a time of political tensions at home and increasing instability across the Western Balkans.

EU passes nineteenth sanctions package, accelerates LNG phase out

Ben Aris in Berlin September 19, 2025

The European Commission has published proposals for a 19th sanctions package against Russia that would tighten curbs on energy trade and payments, with new measures aimed at oil refineries, oil traders and petrochemical companies in third countries.

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