Montenegro
wiiw hikes 2021 CEE growth forecast to 5.4%
Growth is predicted to fall to 3.7% in 2022 and 3.5% in 2023 because of base effects, monetary tightening and more significant external headwinds.
Changed travel patterns give the eastern Adriatic a strong summer season
There were some major changes in the source countries of travellers to the region as the continued coronavirus threat forced people to switch to different holiday destinations.
Montenegro’s debt set to fall for first time since independence
Finance ministry expects government debt to drop to 87.37% of GDP in 2021, after soaring to 103% of GDP in 2020.
Von der Leyen says EU has to deliver on enlargement
EU leaders reaffirmed their support for enlargement at summit in Slovenia, but they did not set any firm timeline.
Western Balkans falling further behind eastern EU members
Neither regional integration nor closer ties with EU have led to increased trade, investment or overall prosperity in the region, says a new report from wiiw and Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Threat of new EU travel restrictions looms ahead of Western Balkan summit
Ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit on October 6, a leaked EU document revealed that several EU member states are seeking to restrict visa-free travel for some nationals from the region as well as other East European countries.
BALKAN BLOG: Elusive enlargement and a reignited conflict
Despite the positive words from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, it was clear that the accession of counties from the region to the EU remains elusive and has no clear timescale.
Montenegro: The agritourism boom
In countries like Montenegro, more and more tourists have decided to venture inland and swap the comfort of seaside hotel beds for old wooden huts, also known as “katuns”, used in the past by nomadic herders, writes the EBRD.
Croatia reports dozens of state-sponsored cyber attacks in 2020
Most attacks were attempts to break into the information and communication systems of the foreign and European affairs ministry and the defence ministry.
Montenegro’s economy posts strong 19% y/y growth in 2Q21, higher than EU average
Montenegro’s GDP growth was much higher than the EU average of 14.2%, as it recovered from a steep contraction in 2Q20.
bneGREEN: Montenegro cancels €54mn Pljevlja TPP reconstruction plan, to focus on renewable energy
Ministry says Podgorica to scrap reconstruction of power plant at centre of conflict with Energy Community.
Backlash against efforts to force citizens to get vaccinated in Southeast Europe
As low vaccination rates facilitated a new wave of the pandemic, governments are barring entry to malls, night clubs and other venues to those without a coronavirus certificate.
Montenegro’s ruling coalition split over government reshuffle
Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic's government again at risk of collapse as two of the formations behind it demand a reshuffle.
Merkel says EU should “keep its word” in relations with accession candidates
After EU accession progress was blocked by Bulgaria, Albanian PM Edi Rama tells German chancellor Western Balkans are “held hostage” by nationalism in EU countries.
Western Balkans coal power plants defy emissions rules, causing thousands of deaths
Air pollution from coal-fired power plants in the Western Balkans caused the deaths of around 19,000 people in three years, says a new study.
Strong summer tourism season to boost Adriatic economies
Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Slovenia are reporting that visitor numbers are close to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Violent protests mark inauguration of Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro head
Controversial inauguration rocked the country, with supporters of President Milo Djukanovic accusing Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic’s government of sacrificing the security of Montenegrins to serve the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Protesters break through police barrier, blockade entrance to Montenegro’s Cetinje
A group of protesters blocked the main road into the historic Montenegrin capital of Cetinje ahead of the controversial inauguration of the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
Slovenian president urges EU to make enlargement a priority
Borut Pahor warns failure to launch accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia will lead to rising nationalism and influence from ‘third countries’ in the region.
The crushing weight of China’s debt burden on Eurasia
Emerging European economies were already facing heavy debt burdens before the pandemic. Now it’s worse. Several countries in Eurasia and Emerging Europe are struggling to pay off huge loans they took from China.
