Southeast Europe / News
Serbian president calls fire, shooting outside parliament a terrorist attack
The attacker, a retired employee of the former State Security Service, opened fire on a tent settlement of pro-government supporters.
MOL says no risk to domestic fuel supply after Danube refinery blaze
Fires broke out at refineries in both Hungary and Romania in recent days.
EU decision to ban Russian gas transit raises alarm in Serbia
Belgrade warned that the EU's decision to halt imports and transit of Russian natural gas from 2026 poses a serious threat to its energy security, with senior politicians calling the move "catastrophic".
Investigation reveals EU funded phantom mussel farm in Bulgaria
Drones and divers find only sand at Black Sea offshore site that received over €210,000 from European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
EU mulls partial membership plan to ease enlargement and bypass veto risks
Move is aimed at moving forward with enlargement and overcoming resistance from EU members such as Hungary, but reaching consensus to be a challenge.
Minsk asks for talks with Kyiv, as Lukashenko seeks to end Belarus’ isolation
Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko has opened the door to direct dialogue with Kyiv as part of negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, as he launches a diplomatic drive to break the republic’s isolation and dependence on Russia.
North Macedonia’s right-wing VMRO-DPMNE heading for sweeping victory in local elections
Strong performance by North Macedonia's ruling party further consolidates Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s dominance on the national political stage.
Thousands rally in Tirana demanding justice for former KLA leaders on trial in The Hague
Albanian PM Edi Rama called the protest, urging all Albanians to unite behind what he described as a “national cause” — defending the honour and legacy of Kosovo’s wartime leaders.
US warns Serbian banks over sanctions breach involving NIS
US sanctions on NIS prohibit transactions with the Serbian oil company involving US-linked financial instruments, including payments using Visa, Mastercard and other foreign-issued cards.
North Macedonia heads to local elections amid promises, unfinished projects and city challenges
North Macedonia is in the midst of a pre-election period characterised by a flurry of promises from politicians, ranging from infrastructure investments to tackling environmental issues, as the country prepares for its upcoming local elections.
US sanctions on Serbian oil company NIS take effect
Sanctions imposed by the United States on Serbia’s sole oil refiner, NIS, took effect on October 9, ending months of postponements and raising fears of fuel shortages and wider economic disruption.
EU tariffs to hit Serbian steel industry
President Aleksandar Vucic warns EU steel tariffs will hit the Smederevo ironworks, owned by China’s Hbis Group, and could weaken Serbia’s attractiveness for foreign investment.
Moldova's separatist Transnistria faces deepening budget crisis after Russia cuts gas supplies
Official says Transnistria has to "mobilise all possible resources" to overcome the tiny self-declared republics ongoing financial crisis.
Bulgaria enforces dual pricing ahead of 2026 euro adoption
Tough penalties for businesses that fail to display prices in euro and lev as euro adoption date approaches.
World Bank projects growth upturn for Western Balkans from 2027
But region needs to focus on job creation and reforms to catch up with average EU living standards within the next 40 years.
Romania's Electrica seeks shareholder approval to borrow €1bn for acquisitions
State-controlled electricity utility group is eyeing acquisitions including Distribuție Energie Oltenia, currently owned by Macquarie.
Austria and Slovenia advocate qualified majority voting to unblock EU enlargement
Dropping unanimity requirement could accelerate the accession process for Ukraine, Moldova and potentially Western Balkans, but faces opposition from within the EU.
Rifts on show at EU-Western Balkan summit in Albania
Differences apparent over EU reform as well as friction between Serbia and Kosovo.
Russia struggles to restore gas payments to Moldova’s separatist Transnistria region
Russia is seeking a new intermediary to facilitate payments for natural gas deliveries to Transnistria after European banks reportedly blocked financial transfers routed through Dubai.
Judge shot dead in Albanian courtroom
A man on trial opened fire in a courtroom in Tirana, killing a judge Astrit Kalaja and injuring two other people.