Bosnia & Herzegovina
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Bosnian Federation’s prime minister detained over import of useless ventilators from China
Fadil Novalic was arrested over the ventilators imported by a fruit processing firm with no medical experience. His party called the move a well planned “coup” intended to harm his credibility.
Tensions between Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia rise over closed borders
After declaring itself coronavirus free, Montenegro plans to open its borders — but not to neighbours Serbia or Bosnia, which claim the decision is linked to the dispute between the government in Podgorica and the Serbian Orthodox church.
Illegal border crossings to EU via Western Balkans increase 60% in January-April
More migrants risked the Balkan route in January-March, but almost no illegal border crossings during coronavirus lockdowns in April, says Frontex.
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Retail sales under lockdown across Central and Eastern Europe are sinking
A worldwide lockdown has created havoc for retailers as their customers are forced to stay at home. There has been a little respite as sales in March surged due to panic buying but that has given way to a lockdown that keeps stores closed
Western Balkans’ regional GDP to slump by as much as 5.6% this year
World Bank forecasts all six Western Balkan countries will experience negative growth this year as they grapple with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.