Kosovo
EU Council president urges Kosovo to de-escalate tensions in the north
Antonio Costa said Kosovo’s progress on its European path hinges on both calm in the north and the normalisation of relations with Serbia.
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.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.
Think-tank urges EU to consider 'Big Bang' enlargement and sweeping reforms
European Policy Centre analysts call on the EU to abandon its piecemeal, hesitant approach to enlargement and commit to ‘permachange’: a permanent state of adaptation in response to cascading crises.
Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents
Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.
Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia
Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.
Kosovo shuts down Serbian-run water company in Strpce as tensions rise
Closure is part of Pristina’s efforts to curb parallel institutions operating under Belgrade’s directives within Kosovo.
Stalemate in Kosovo's parliament as MPs again fail to elect speaker
The ruling Vetevendosje movement won the most seats in the February general election but fell short of an outright majority.
Western Balkans countries struggle to reverse demographic decline
Governments turn to short-term fixes and immigration push to tackle deepening demographic crisis but shy away from deeper reforms, says OSW report.
Deadlock in Kosovo as opposition rejects parliament speaker candidate
PM Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje remains short of the majority needed to elect a speaker and form a government.
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Serbs from Kosovo march to Belgrade for pro-government rally
While pro-government Serbs march to the capital Belgrade, a group of 80 students are cycling in the other direction to Strasbourg, to demand EU support for the ongoing protests against the government.
COMMENT: Reforms and enlargement must go together for the Western Balkans
If the EU cannot deliver progress in accession, it risks undermining the incentive for countries to continue reforming.
The rise of war-hardened Balkan crime groups in South America’s cocaine market
Global Initiative report reveals organised crime groups from the Western Balkans have firmly embedded themselves in South America’s cocaine trade.
Albania and Montenegro could conclude EU accession talks by 2026-27, enlargement commissioner says
But Marta Kos warns "external forces" actively seeking to block certain countries from EU accession.
Russian pranksters trick Kosovo PM Kurti in fake call
Kurti told prankster posing as Latvian president he was victim of hybrid war by Russia and said US special envoy Richard Grenell brought down his last government.
Kosovo’s trade gap up 13.6% y/y in February
Exports dropped by 4.3% y/y to €67.3mn in February, while imports were up 10.9% to €518.6mn.
Serbian president has dinner with Nato chief in Brussels
Meeting comes at a time of rising political tensions in the Balkans, particularly in Bosnia.
Several EU countries back push to fund Prague-based RFE/RL in response to Trump axeing it
Member states want EU to fund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Agency for Global Media.
Albania, Croatia and Kosovo sign trilateral military alliance declaration
Declaration angers Serbia, where foreign ministry calls it a "provocation" and accuses signatories of undermining regional stability.