Trend towards bigger deals and more fund investment continues, as deal value rises by half to give best Q1 since 2013.
But pandemic has delayed restart of convergence with Western Europe until 2023.
Populist premier, who will take over EU rotating presidency in July, is accused of proposing "final disintegration of former Yugoslavia".
Kosovan MPs elect the country's second woman president — and avert a constitutional crisis.
The financial and insurance, manufacturing and IT sectors grew strongly in 4Q20, but construction slumped.
A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping through Emerging Europe. While Russia is expecting to reach herd immunity in the next two months, most other countries of the region have only just started their mass immunisation programmes.
After months of delays, all of the Western Balkans countries have embarked on the vaccination of their populations against coronavirus.
Kurti returns to power after left-wing nationalist Vetevendosje's resounding election victory but faces tough tasks of responding to pandemic and appointing Kosovo's new president.
Protesters express anger against tighter restrictions and vaccinations as well as a broad range of local issues in Southeast European cities.
Despite numerous challenges, there are a growing number of successful e-commerce platforms in the Western Balkans region.
The moderate GDP setbacks in 2020 imply that for some CEE countries there will not be such drastic recovery and rebound effects in 2021 as in hard-hit countries in Western Europe.
With economies primed to rebound as pandemic restrictions are loosened, consumer prices could rise even further, reawakening an issue that has long been ignored.
The region’s economy needs to be more sustainable and connected, which can only be achieved through the digital and green transformation, writes EIB vice-president Lilyana Pavlova.
Emerging Europe has a growing number of female politicians taking a stand against corruption and authoritarianism.
The potential for energy savings in the buildings sector — characterised by ageing, poorly maintained apartment blocks — is estimated at more than 50% of consumption, Energy Community report shows.
Citizens and ruling elites of both countries are prepared to pay lip service to a shared dream but pause when confronted with the practical reality of its realisation.
Preliminary results show opposition Vetevendosje took 48% of the vote in snap general election.
Left-wing nationalist Vetevendosje has gained overwhelming popular support ahead of Kosovo's February 14 general election.
The new political alliance between Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti and acting President Vjosa Osmani says its priority is to tackle corruption.
Moscow delivered a stern rebuke over Bulgaria's PM's criticism of opposition politician Navalny's arrest, and has taken a tough tone on several issues in the Western Balkans in recent days.