Montenegro

Western Balkan leaders meet in Skopje to advance EU Growth Plan

Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje July 1, 2025

Growth Plan aims to fast-track the Western Balkans' convergence with the EU through deeper market access, pre-accession funding and regional cooperation.

Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow July 1, 2025

Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.

Global uncertainty causes FDI to plummet in Emerging Europe

bne IntelliNews June 24, 2025

wiiw research blames crisis in German industry and the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s second term as US president for sharp slowdown in FDI.

Proposed defence spending hike to 5% of GDP exposes divisions among Nato members

bne IntelliNews June 24, 2025

Russia hawks in Poland and the Baltic States are firmly behind plan to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while other members question new target.

Bosnia’s coal plants the biggest polluters in Western Balkans, CEE Bankwatch survey shows

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia June 18, 2025

Across the region, six units exceeded their individual ceilings for sulphur dioxide emissions by more than ten times last year, according to a survey by environmental NGO CEE Bankwatch.

Russia provoking conflict in Western Balkans as leverage against West, think-tank says

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia June 18, 2025

Instability in the Western Balkans "presents Russia with a win-win scenario", says FPRI analysis.

INTERVIEW: Western Balkans attract tech and services FDI as manufacturing outlook dims

Clare Nuttall in London June 13, 2025

Global uncertainty prompted the EBRD to lowered its outlook for the Western Balkans, but the bank’s Matteo Colangeli points to the region’s continued attractiveness for IT and services outsourcing.

COMMENT: Full speed ahead with reforms in the Western Balkans rail sector

Björn Gabriel of the EIB June 5, 2025

The region must continue to transform its rail sector to become more eco-friendly, accessible and digitalised.

Croatian president says EU making “false promises” to Western Balkans

bne IntelliNews May 29, 2025

Zoran Milanovic says no new members will join the EU except perhaps Montenegro.

Watchdog warns Montenegro's UAE development deal puts EU accession at risk

bne IntelliNews May 28, 2025

Environmental groups and sections of civil society have criticised the deal as a potential land grab that threatens natural resources and democratic oversight.

COMMENT: China’s debt-trap diplomacy - lessons from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and beyond

bno - Taipei Office May 23, 2025

For the nations affected this results in economic dependence on China and often the surrender of strategic assets - or both.

EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow May 13, 2025

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

Denitsa Koseva in Sofia May 12, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews May 4, 2025

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

bne IntelliNews May 2, 2025

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

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.

Montenegro’s parliament speaker urged to resign over nephew's shooting spree from official vehicle

bne IntelliNews April 27, 2025

Danilo Mandic opened fire from a parliament car in central Podgorica, injuring two people and raising fresh concerns about gun violence in the Western Balkans.

Montenegro mega beach deal reignites debate over UAE investments in Western Balkans

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow April 24, 2025

A plan to develop Montenegro’s Velika Plaza beach has become the latest battleground in a growing backlash against UAE-backed real estate deals across the Western Balkans.

Protesters against UAE beach development deal target Montenegrin parliament

bne IntelliNews April 23, 2025

Rally outside parliament in Podgorica as MPs debate tourism and real estate deals critics claim threaten Montenegro's environment and rule of law.

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