North Macedonia
Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia to launch borderless travel zone by 2023
Three countries founded the ‘mini-Schengen’ initiative to improve economic and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans after EU enlargement to the region stalled.
North Macedonia’s fugitive ex-PM Gruevski now flogging tableware and cleaning products in Hungary
Hungarian media reveal Gruevski set up his company in a Budapest suburb after fleeing North Macedonia to avoid serving a prison sentence.
Looming new coronavirus wave prompts vaccination push in Southeast Europe
With the delta variant starting to spread in Southeast Europe, officials are warning of a new wave of the pandemic that may put pressure on hospitals as early as August or September.
North Macedonia expects cannabis cultivation to boost GDP by €250mn a year
Skopje allows export of dried cannabis flowers as it seeks to boost exports and create 'cannabis tourism' sector modelled on Amsterdam.
North Macedonia’s central bank affirms key rate at 1.25%
North Macedonia’s central bank kept its key rate at the same level of 1.25% on July 14, as it assessed it appropriate for the current economic and financial conditions.
North Macedonia’s annual inflation cools to 2.7% in June
North Macedonia's average annual inflation slowed to 2.7% in June, from 3% in the previous month, statistics office data showed on July 7. In the first six months of 2021, the average inflation was 2.4%.
Western Balkans scrap roaming tariffs
Politicians say lifting of roaming tariffs is just the first step as cooperation efforts deliver financial benefits for citizens of the EU-aspiring region.
Four Southeast European countries commit to exiting coal energy
The step is most significant for Montenegro and North Macedonia, which generate around half of their electricity from coal.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Scaling back the state
The coronacrisis saw the role of the state increase, but post-crisis efforts towards privatisation and a stepping back of the state from the economy are expected.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Small transition states particularly vulnerable to ‘corrosive capital’
Countries from the former Yugoslavia have seen a series of un-transparent investments with a geo-political agenda, says think tank CIPE.
Under half of emerging Europe economies to achieve full recovery in 2021
EBRD says recovery from the coronacrisis is progressing faster than expected, but many emerging Europe economies won’t return to 2019 levels of GDP until 2022.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: ‘Yugo-nostalgia’ fading but not gone
Since Yugoslavia started to disintegrate, a whole generation has grown up but there are still some in the region who look back nostalgically.
Overwhelming majority in Western Balkans support regional co-operation
Latest Balkan Barometer shows 77% want regional -, and most value relations with the EU above those with China, Russia or Turkey.
North Macedonia hopes to bring in ‘cannabis tourists’ by decriminalising drug
Skopje looks to Dutch example as regulator explores options to legalise cannabis with the aim of boosting the tourism and hospitality industries.
PMs of Albania and North Macedonia lash out at EU over lack of accession progress
Bulgarian veto on start of accession talks with North Macedonia blocks both countries.
Bulgaria keeps veto on launch of EU accession talks with North Macedonia
No progress towards EU membership for North Macedonia or Albania despite pressure on Bulgaria from fellow member states to drop veto.
YUGOSLAVIA 30 YEARS ON: Historical conflicts hold region’s EU future to ransom
North Macedonia not expected to get green light for start of accession negotiations at this week’s EU Council meeting, while Bosnia and Kosovo have yet to achieve candidate status.
Erste Group arranges €51mn financing for first private wind project in North Macedonia
North Macedonia aims to increase its national renewables capacity to above 50% by 2024.
Rethink of global supply chains creates opportunity for Western Balkans
Region is ideally positioned as a nearshoring destination for West European companies but reforms are needed if it is to attract potentially billions of euros in foreign direct investment.
European commissioner confirms €30bn EU investment plan for Western Balkans
Plan will only be effective if region works together Oliver Varhelyi tells summit marred by verbal clash between prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo.
