Southeast Europe / News

Bulgaria’s full Schengen accession to bring in an annual €833mn

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia December 3, 2024

Cutting queues at borders will also save part of the estimated 46,162 tonnes of carbon dioxide emitted every year, says Bulgarian Economic Research Institute.

Social Democrats win Romania's general election but radical rightwing parties perform strongly

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest December 2, 2024

A broader version of the existing PSD-PNL “grand coalition” is the most likely outcome — unless far right candidate Calin Georgescu manages a presidential election win.

Eight arrested over terrorist attack on water canal in Kosovo

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje December 2, 2024

Kosovan officials have accused Serbia of orchestrating the attack targeting the Iber-Lepenci canal that supplies water to Pristina and other towns.

Bulgaria loses out on EU funding after political instability stalls reforms

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia December 1, 2024

European Commission says Bulgaria’s second payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility will fall short of the requested €653mn.

Explosion on Zubin Potok canal escalates tensions between Kosovo and Serbia

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje November 30, 2024

Kosovan PM Albin Kurti claims the explosion was a terrorist attack aimed at destroying Kosovo's infrastructure.

Support for far-right parties surges ahead of Romanian general election

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest November 29, 2024

Poll indicates far-right to take up to 30% of parliament seats after shock presidential election lead for Calin Georgescu.

Romania’s Constitutional Court asks for presidential election recount

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest November 28, 2024

First round presidential election vote recount could lead to USR candidate Elena Lasconi losing her place in the runoff against far-right, pro-Russian Calin Georgescu.

Studenac cancels planned €80mn IPO citing unfavourable market conditions

bne IntelliNews November 28, 2024

Croatia's largest food retailer by store count had planned to list on the Zagreb and Warsaw stock exchanges.

Croatian government struggles to restore trust in healthcare system after minister’s arrest

Aidą Kadyrzhanova in Prague November 28, 2024

Vili Beros’ arrest in a corruption case sparks major audit of public procurement.

Gazprom reportedly conditions gas supplies to Moldova on $708mn claim

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest November 28, 2024

Gas giant wants Moldova to repay disputed debt or risk losing Russian gas supplies after expected closure of Ukrainian route.

Analysts puzzled by Ankara’s claim Turkey’s stealth fighter jet work so hot US may lift F-35 ban

bne IntelliNews November 28, 2024

“It's comparatively easy to produce something that looks like a stealth fighter-ish thing that will fly,” says one dismissive expert.

Kosovo takes first steps towards establishing defence industry

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje November 27, 2024

PM Albin Kurti announces plans for ammunition factory and drone lab as tensions with Serbia rise.

Serbia lifts 35-year ban on nuclear power

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade November 27, 2024

Major shift in Serbia's energy strategy as it confronts rising demand and aims to align with European Union standards.

Albanian police use tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters

bne IntelliNews November 26, 2024

Protests are part of a broader campaign of civil disobedience against Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has been in power since 2013.

Pro-Russian candidate Georgescu to face USR leader Lasconi in Romanian presidential election runoff

Iulian Ernst in Bucharest November 26, 2024

Mainstream politicians are expected to unite behind Elena Lasconi to keep far right independent candidate Calin Georgescu out of the presidency.

Trump’s defence pick asked, “Why is Islamist Turkey a member of Nato?”

bne IntelliNews November 26, 2024

Evangelical Pete Hegseth, who has crusader tattoo, also wrote Western military bloc “is not an alliance; it’s a defense arrangement for Europe, paid for and underwritten by the United States”.

Hungary's bid to advance Serbia's EU accession stalls

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade November 25, 2024

Hungary is a steadfast supporter of Serbia’s EU aspirations but failed to secure backing for a proposal to open Cluster 3 of Serbia's accession talks.

UAE arrests three Uzbeks in Rabbi Kogan murder

bne Gulf bureau November 25, 2024

The United Arab Emirates has published photographs of three Uzbek nationals arrested in connection with the murder of Rabbi Zvi Hakohen Kogan.

Azerbaijani diplomat detained with 70kg of gold in Turkey

bne IntelliNews November 25, 2024

Incident sparked a major investigation, with initial findings suggesting a smuggling operation that involved exploiting diplomatic immunity to bypass border inspections

Physical fight erupts in Serbian parliament

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade November 25, 2024

Tensions flared over the Novi Sad railway station disaster that has claimed 15 lives and sparked mass protest in Serbia.

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