Kosovo

Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents

bne IntelliNews April 30, 2025

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

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow April 29, 2025

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

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje April 23, 2025

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

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje April 20, 2025

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

Clare Nuttall in London April 13, 2025

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

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje April 13, 2025

PM Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje remains short of the majority needed to elect a speaker and form a government.

Serbs from Kosovo march to Belgrade for pro-government rally

bne IntelliNews April 9, 2025

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

Bojan Lazarevski April 6, 2025

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

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow April 3, 2025

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

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje March 27, 2025

But Marta Kos warns "external forces" actively seeking to block certain countries from EU accession.

Russian pranksters trick Kosovo PM Kurti in fake call

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje March 27, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews March 24, 2025

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

Tatyana Kekic in Belgrade March 20, 2025

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

Albin Sybera in Prague March 19, 2025

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

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje March 18, 2025

Declaration angers Serbia, where foreign ministry calls it a "provocation" and accuses signatories of undermining regional stability.

Kosovo’s economy expands by annual 4.08% in 4Q24

bne IntelliNews March 16, 2025

Strong growth reported in Kosovo's manufacturing sector, which expanded by 4.35%.

Can Emerging European countries afford to rearm?

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow March 2, 2025

As European countries face a pressing need to rearm amid fears the US may pull back from its security commitments, an EBRD report shows higher defence spending is already putting pressure on public finances.

EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow February 27, 2025

Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.

Potential US troop withdrawal from Europe to leave Kosovo exposed

bne IntelliNews February 20, 2025

Fears US may consider withdrawing its troops from Europe, including Kosovo, if Trump and Putin reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

European Parliament report calls for removal of EU measures against Kosovo

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje February 19, 2025

The measures introduced in response to tensions in Serb-majority north Kosovo included freezing EU funds and suspension of high-level meetings with Kosovo officials.

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