Southeast Europe / Opinion
IMF: How to awaken Europe's private sector and boost economic growth
In the European Union, income per person, one of the main gauges of living standards, is on average one-third less than in the United States, mostly because of lower productivity—as emphasised by Mario Draghi’s Sept. 9 competitiveness report.
COMMENT: Political, economic and security headaches Trump Europe’s mounting problems
The re-election of Donald Trump as US President could become a major headache for Europe that is already struggling to keep its head above recessionary water.
COMMENT: Will the renewal of the Serbia-Russia gas deal prolong Moscow's energy dominance in Europe?
Gazprom’s gas supply contract with Serbia is due to expire in 2025.
Erdogan prepares to make nice with Trump, the man who once threatened to “destroy the Turkish economy”
Ankara insiders remember Trump as a US president who would often make promises and deals “that wouldn’t result in any progress or follow-up”.
COMMENT: The outlook for Armenia-Turkey normalisation
There is a renewed sense of movement in the process of “normalisation” between Armenia and Turkey, but progress has been impeded by Ankara's unwillingness to do anything that undermines its relationship with Azerbaijan.
CENUSA: Referendum exposes weakness of EU’s support in Moldova
Russian interference doesn’t tell the full story of why 75% of voters either voted no, boycotted or didn’t turn out for referendum on ‘Europeanisation’ of Moldova’s constitution.
OPINION: How realistic are Moldova’s bold energy independence ambitions?
Amid the geopolitical chaos generated by the war in Ukraine, Moldova has begun to take the first steps towards weaning itself from Russia’s energy blackmail.
COMMENT: Is the Balkan region Israel’s newfound interest?
In light of the worsening geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Tel Aviv has sought to build new alliances and partnerships.
COMMENT: For Kazakhstan, World Nomad Games were a geopolitical foot-in-the-door
Hosting the spectacular occasion, involving nearly 100 countries, was a big soft power move by a country intent on cooperation with all nations, big and small.
COMMENT: Look beyond the Ukraine war and CEE's fundamentals couldn’t be stronger
When the fighting stops, the region will serve as a gateway to the trillions of euros in trade and investment that will flow towards reconstructing Ukraine.
Serbia's (anti) model and Ukraine's security in view of the 2030 EU accession horizon
The integration of the Eastern Partnership candidates, led by Ukraine, represents a geopolitical and security objective, not just mechanical reasoning of the EU's enlargement policy. This approach may point to some incipient and sectoral difference.
OPINION: Foreign debt, pensions and elections in Romania
Romanian politicians are unwilling to tackle the country's sharply increased foreign debt during an election year.
OPINION: Romania’s renewable energy resurgence
EBRD Southeast Europe head of energy Georgios Gkiaouris on powering Romania’s green ambitions through highs and lows.