Southeast Europe / News
Macedonian PM urges citizens to accept Ilinden Macedonia as new country name
Zoran Zaev strikes tentative deal with Athens on new name for his country that will enable Skopje to progress towards EU and Nato membership, but convincing the Macedonian population to accept the new name will be difficult.
No “plan B” for Western Balkans’ EU future, Tusk says
First summit in 15 years intended to demonstrate the EU’s commitment to the region, which has been neglected for years, allowing rival powers to extend their influence.
Romanian private healthcare providers on acquisition spree
Private medical sector is booming as employers in Romania's tight labour market use healthcare and other benefits to attract and retain workers.
Ukraine, Turkey among the “vulnerable three" most at risk to US tightening - Fitch
Ukraine and Turkey are part of the “vulnerable” three most at risk to US tightening along with Argentina, Fitch said in a note on May 16.
Macedonian PM Zaev awaits verdict in bribery case
Zaev says the case brought against him when he was opposition leader was politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from releasing explosive evidence of crime and corruption among former top officials.
Turkish banker Atilla gets lenient 32-months prison for Iran sanctions-busting
Focus now turns to whether US regulators will heavily fine state-owned Halkbank.
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Bulgarian government plans €1.7bn army modernisation programme
Parliament has been asked to approved acquisitions of 16 fighter jets and 150 armoured vehicles after defence budget was hiked to 4.2% of GDP this year.
Bulgarian government votes to restart Belene nuclear power project
Sofia will seek a strategic investor to build the country's second nuclear power plant, a project that opposition politicians argue will seriously threaten Bulgaria’s economic stability.
Turkey’s central bank speaks up after markets stunned by Erdogan shellac lira
Investors puzzled why president came to London and told them “exactly what they did not want to hear”.
Romanian prosecutors ask for 7.5 year sentence for ruling party leader
Power struggle to ensue within Romania’s ruling coalition if Liviu Dragnea gets jail sentence in case concerning fake jobs for party workers.
Investors want “plain vanilla central banking in Turkey, not some big Erdoganite economic experiment”
Turkish president’s “market unfriendly” interview sends lira hurtling to fresh lows beyond 4.50/dollar.
Turkish lira hammered again after Erdogan ‘unchained’ stakes claim to monetary role
President’s remarks cast doubt on central bank’s credibility causing markets to punish the currency by driving it close to an unprecedented 4.50 to the dollar.
Baku warns new Armenian PM of military operations, Turkey mulls diplomatic ties
Visit to Nagorno-Karabakh by Nikol Pashinian just one day into his tenure did not go down well with Azerbaijan.
Enfeebled Turkish lira goes into ‘seesaw’ phase
New hope for monetary tightening on news of meeting between central bank governor and regulators.
Turkish lira rebounds on rate hike hopes as Erdogan summons economic aides to palace
Investors buy into hope that the president will back emergency pre-election tightening despite his calls for cheaper money.
Turkish lira sinks to fresh record low after US nuclear deal pullout, share index worst in 10 months
Trump's nuclear deal exit piles pressure on already exposed currency and shares with Turkey vulnerable to sanctions impact on Iran's energy exports.
Turkey's CHP names Muharrem Ince to battle Erdogan for presidency
Speculation persists, however, that if race is pushed into run-off he will make way for challenge of Meral Aksener.
Turkey feels pressure for ‘snap’ rate hike as lira gets no respite
Rout takes currency to yet another record low, tightening may be needed to anchor assets.
Markets send loud “behind the curve” warning to Turkish central bank
Troubling inflation data pushes lira to another all-time low, talk grows that the devaluation could determine upcoming snap election.
April inflation data crashes into Turkish lira knocking it to fresh all-time low
CPI jumps to 10.85% in April causing currency to slide to 4.2487 against the dollar as Turkey’s economic troubles mount.