Southeast Europe / News
Erdogan lashes out at Germany, Nato, says "God willing" he'll have Russian missiles soon
Turkish president’s fresh outburst towards the West and appetite for Russian defence hardware poses the question of whether Ankara might accelerate a political realignment.
Rio Tinto to speed up giant Serbian lithium project
Global mining group signs memorandum with Belgrade on project to develop world-class deposits of lithium-borate in Serbia’s Loznica, as growing use of electric cars pushes up demand for lithium.
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Cumhuriyet journalists’ trial seen as test of Turkey’s press freedom begins
Reporters, editors, columnists and cartoonists accused of using “assymetric war methods” against Erdogan say they were arrested for asking the “wrong” questions.
Schaeuble: Erdogan “jeopardising centuries-old” German-Turkish partnership
Further strong words from the German finance minister as Ankara shows signs of nervousness that Berlin’s new approach to Turkey could have significant economic consequences.
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Bulgaria prepares for battle over land sales to foreigners
The European Commission has threatened to refer Bulgaria to the EU Court of Justice unless it allows foreign citizens to purchase Bulgarian agricultural land without any restrictions.
Bosnia’s ruling coalition collapses
Long-standing disagreements between leaders of rival Bosniak parties bring down multi-ethnic coalition, spelling further uncertainty for Bosnia.
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"Crisis with Germany temporary," says Turkish economy minister but war of words worsens
Ankara government attempts to put brake on rapidly worsening tensions but Germany's Schaeuble aggravates Erdogan with comparison to the old communist East Germany.
Bulgarian prosecutors charge 18 over Corpbank collapse
Corpbank was Bulgaria's fourth largest lender until a bank run in 2014 deprived it of liquidity, and a later audit revealed a capital hole of almost €2bn.
"Cosmetic" Turkish cabinet reshuffle signals no major policy shifts
Deputy PM Mehmet Simsek, a favourite with investors, keeps his place as economic management team retained, but no major surprises in country entering second year of state of emergency.
Berlin hits Ankara with 'Tread carefully' warnings for German visitors, firms
Germany's foreign minister and business chambers respond to latest detentions with statements that will worry Turkey's already struggling tourism industry and unsettled investment enviroment.
Moldova's new electoral law ignites street protests
Opposition politicians believe the new law will prevent them from gaining parliament seats in future elections.
Russia's Gazprom reportedly hurries the second stage of Turkish Stream unilaterally
Russian gas giant has reportedly started construction work on the second stage of the Turkish Stream pipeline before the final deal is approved by Ankara.
Montenegrin court freezes Italian A2A's shares in EPCG
Court ruling blocks A2A's plans to exercise put option to exit its 41.7% stake in Montenegrin power monopoly.
Ljubljana, Agrokor face off over Mercator retail chain
Ljubljana challenges crisis managers in attempt to protect local retail chain Mercator against fallout from Agrokor debt crisis.
Slovenia to sue European Commission as Teran wine dispute escalates
Slovenian agriculture minister says decision to allow Croatian wine producers to use the Teran name under certain conditions "opens Pandora's box" for other protected designations of origin to be challenged in the EU.
Albania clears ammunition caches 20 years after mass violence
Abandoned ammunition left over from the Cold War poses a grave threat to human life in Albania, and helped turn the country into an arms trafficking hotspot.
Turkey's EU affairs minister visits Brussels for talks as tensions between the two worsen
Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik is visiting Brussels for official meetings and to attend a consultative committee meeting
Wildfires hit Croatia and Montenegro’s Adriatic coast
Croatia's second city Split threatened by fires, as Montenegro is forced to evacuate Lustica peninsular.
Turkey extends emergency rule for another three months
President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended the state of emergency in Turkey for the fourth time claiming it necessary to help him crack down on the "Gulenist" network
Turkey dismisses thousands of people from duty on eve of coup anniversary
The Turkish government issued a decree dismissing 7,348 people from their posts who were alleged to have links with the coup plotters, on the day before the anniversary of the coup.