Bosnia & Herzegovina
BALKAN BLOG: Western Balkans military build-up continues as the world looks elsewhere
As the world’s attention remains focused on the wars in Ukraine and, more recently, the Middle East, several countries in the Western Balkans are ramping up their military capacities.
Global uncertainty causes FDI to plummet in Emerging Europe
wiiw research blames crisis in German industry and the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s second term as US president for sharp slowdown in FDI.
Bosnia’s Republika Srpska mulls setting up reserve police force
Creation of auxiliary police force is widely seen as a move towards formalising the existence of paramilitary groups in Bosnia's Serb entity.
Bosnia’s coal plants the biggest polluters in Western Balkans, CEE Bankwatch survey shows
Across the region, six units exceeded their individual ceilings for sulphur dioxide emissions by more than ten times last year, according to a survey by environmental NGO CEE Bankwatch.
Russia provoking conflict in Western Balkans as leverage against West, think-tank says
Instability in the Western Balkans "presents Russia with a win-win scenario", says FPRI analysis.
INTERVIEW: Western Balkans attract tech and services FDI as manufacturing outlook dims
Global uncertainty prompted the EBRD to lowered its outlook for the Western Balkans, but the bank’s Matteo Colangeli points to the region’s continued attractiveness for IT and services outsourcing.
Ukraine’s “enemies database” adds foreign leaders over Moscow ties
A Ukrainian website that catalogues perceived "enemies of Ukraine" has added several prominent Russia-friendly foreign leaders to its database, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Bosnia’s Republika Srpska arrests opposition leader
SDS accused Republika Srpska's ruling SNSD of a "terror" campaign against the opposition after party leader Milan Milicevic's arrest.
Deloitte EMEA Fast 500 Technology ranking brims with Turkish, CEE and SEE startups
Top entry from Turkey is Novi Robot, a maker of automation systems for manufacturing plants.
Construction bosses turn witness in Turkey’s investigation into “Imamoglu Crime Syndicate”
Prosecution secures confessions from multiple individuals who experience claimed enlightenment in jail. Critics contend probe is entirely political and bogus.
COMMENT: Full speed ahead with reforms in the Western Balkans rail sector
The region must continue to transform its rail sector to become more eco-friendly, accessible and digitalised.
Bosnia’s top court annuls secessionist laws passed by Republika Srpska
Legislation deemed an attempt to undermine Bosnia’s central authority.
Croatian president says EU making “false promises” to Western Balkans
Zoran Milanovic says no new members will join the EU except perhaps Montenegro.
Bosnia’s Dodik offers Republika Srpska’s mineral resources to Trump
After Ukraine talks debacle, beleaguered Bosnian Serb leader sees offer of critical minerals as a way to gain US president’s support.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Albania, Montenegro to be first Western Balkan candidates to join EU, European Council president says
Antonio Costa says it's "not fair" for the Western Balkan countries to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova.
Bosnian politicians move to oust Dodik’s SNSD while he meets Putin and Xi in Moscow
10 political parties sign joint platform on Bosnia’s European future, excluding Milorad Dodik’s SNSD.
Bosnia faces risk of disintegration, high representative warns
Christian Schmidt says Bosnia faces a serious political crisis which may lead to its breakup, following secessionist actions by Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.
Bosnia secures €80mn World Bank loan to finance coal phase-out and energy transition
Funds to back project to repurpose post-mining lands in Banovići, Zenica and Kreka, and facilitate the closure of underground mining operations in Zenica.