Southeast Europe / Features
Tosyali dethrones Eregli to become largest Turkish steelmaker
Company owner Fuat Tosyali became a favourite businessman of president Erdogan. Projects he’s involved in include making Turkey’s “native and national” Altay battle tank.
Syria receives IMF visit for first time since 2009
Conflict-torn country faces “enormous challenges”, says mission. Majority of GDP wiped out. Restoring power infrastructure alone could cost at least $40bn.
Global uncertainty causes FDI to plummet in Emerging Europe
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
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.
EU sanctions Turkey’s jihadists in Syria for slaughtering Alawites
Militias designated by Council of Ministers represent a failure by Ankara to organise militant groups during the Syria War.
Turkey's Koc in a sweet spot in Uzbekistan's burgeoning real estate sector
The Uzbekistan real estate market has entered a sweet spot. A burgeoning population, rising capital inflows, a growing expat community and strong economic growth have combined to lift everyone’s boat.
Żabka opens 100th Froo convenience store in Romania
Polish convenience store operator Żabka has opened its 100th Froo-branded store in Romania, one year after launching in the market, the company said on June 16.
PANNIER: Central Asia’s space race
A satellite in orbit offers a nation prestige, essential data in handling natural disasters and, controversially, a blanket “kill switch” for the internet during unrest.
INTERVIEW: Western Balkans attract tech and services FDI as manufacturing outlook dims
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.
How Turkey freed Islamic State suspects after G7 terrorist money watchdog took country off grey list
Fact that trial of 19 alleged terror finance individuals was being pursued was factor in FATF’s decision to end listing.
Cocaine barons switch to trafficking via Turkey after heavy seizures on direct-to-Europe route
Extent of new smuggling indicated by seizure of seven vessels owned by Turks carrying drugs worth $10bn.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Erdogan camp's dirty work paints jailed rival as ‘Imamoglu the Suleymanist’
President also sets out to trash opponent as head of an octopus-like criminal syndicate.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Turkey is run by mobsters, says film director Fatih Akin in Cannes interview
Award winner speaks out in response to jailing of his manager Ayse Barim in move observers see as part of regime’s preparation for the “Imamoglu operation”.
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INTERVIEW: Bosqar Invest founder says EU needs new focus on creating global champions
Europe must back scale-up companies to compete with US and China, Stjepan Orešković tells bne IntelliNews.
Viktor Orban makes huge political misstep in supporting Simion, Hungarian analyst says
The outcome has been a defeat for Viktor Orban as ethnic Hungarians overwhelmingly supported the pro-European candidate, Nicusor Dan.
Afghanistan: Grappling with fall-out of dwindling foreign aid
Almost all US assistance terminated.
EBRD2025: Croatia seeks to build on decade of economic progress
Finance Minister Marko Primorac details Zagreb’s objectives including an overhaul of state owned enterprises, accession to the OECD and revitalisation of the local capital market.
Albania’s ruling Socialists head for historic fourth term
Polls show PM Edi Rama’s Socialist Party has a strong lead over its main rival, the opposition Democratic Party, which promises to ‘make Albania great again’.
“Lost” Ottoman era painting reappears at Sotheby’s London, sold for a million at auction
Osman Hamdi Bey’s 1881 work Kahve Hazirlamak was bought by a Georgian prince around 1910. Its whereabouts became a mystery.
After Samarkand summit, Europe’s quest for Central Asian resources meets reality
Playing long game for rare earths.