Southeast Europe / News
Bosnia reportedly to get green light for EU membership talks amid push to meet last criteria
Political tensions and disagreements have blocked key reforms for years, but there is new impetus to pursue EU accession under the current government.
Ukraine court orders seizure of Turkcell units over oligarch Fridman links
Company controlled by Turkey’s sovereign wealth fund argues Russian businessman has no influence over its Ukrainian subsidiaries.
Romania wins $6.7bn litigation over Rosia Montana gold mining project
Gabriel Resources sued Romania at the World Bank’s ICSID over the stalled Rosia Montana project back in 2015.
Albanian crown prince reports ex-wife to police after fight video goes viral
Crown Prince Leka II seeks police intervention for domestic violence, says ex-wife attacked him with “strong objects”.
Putin reportedly promises to "help" Moldova's pro-Russia Gagauz region
Gagauz governor Evghenia Gutul announced support from Russian president amid warnings that Moscow is carrying out a hybrid campaign to destabilise Moldova.
Croatia, Montenegro issue bonds to high investor interest
Croatia's 10-year Eurobond heavily oversubscribed, while Montenegro makes US dollar debut.
Ethnic Greek mayor’s conviction threatens to derail Albania’s EU accession process
Greek officials have warned for months that Albania risks jeopardising its EU accession progress if Beleri is not released.
Romanian hypermarket chain La Cocos expands in market dominated by foreign players
La Cocos reached €200mn turnover in 2023 and plans to more than double its number of stores in 2024-25.
Bulgaria’s PM Denkov tables resignation of government
Resignation aimed at triggering rotation of prime ministers, stalled by dispute between Gerb and CC-DB.
Investors ramp up pressure on Turkey for more rate hikes
Calls follow latest inflation readout and warning from MIT economist that monetary policy is not tight enough to achieve the disinflation goal, with the benchmark still negative.
Turkish terminal freezes Russian oil business
Mediterranean facility Dortyol recently sprung to attention when US senators claimed “masked Russian oil” supplied via facility even ended up in US warships.
German foreign minister calls for faster EU enlargement to Western Balkans amid Russia threat
Annalena Baerbock says expansion of the EU to the Western Balkans has become a geopolitical necessity in light of Russia's "brutal imperialism".
Croatian PM Plenkovic announces spring general election
Plenkovic says the ruling HDZ is "full of self-confidence" ahead of election despite a series of scandals involving government ministers.
Nato member Albania opens air base in former ‘Stalin city’
€50mn renovation to turn Cold War era Albanian air base into an important Nato hub.
Serbian president claims West wants ‘puppet regime’ in Belgrade
President Aleksandar Vucic tackles opposition grievances over December 2023 elections, but slams Western interference in Serbian politics.
Turkey suspected of war crimes as occupying power in northern Syria, says HRW report
Given Ankara’s denunciations of Israel’s activities in Gaza, Erdogan administration exposed to claims of gross hypocrisy.
Western Balkan leaders commit to accelerated regional cooperation
Albanian PM calls at Tirana summit for fellow Western Balkan leaders to overcome historic conflicts to achieve prosperity.
Bulgaria has just days to strike deal on new government or faces early election
Gerb’s Mariya Gabriel is due to take over the PM seat on March 8, but the government’s pro-Western backers are increasingly divided.
Battle for Bucharest mayor seat heats up
Ex-mayor Gabriela Firea unexpectedly announced her candidacy, while Romania's ruling parties are still discussing who to nominate.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy seeks support from Southeast Europe at Tirana summit
Ukrainian president and Albanian prime minister warn of Russian threat to destabilise the region.