Southeast Europe / News
Xi awards Serbia’s Vucic top honour during Beijing visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping says visit by Aleksandar Vucic will “open a new chapter” in relations with Serbia.
Mass protest in Belgrade signals declining support for government
Up to 190,000 people took part in an anti-government protest in Belgrade on May 23, in one of the largest demonstrations in Serbia since the fall of Slobodan Milošević.
Mass protest in Serbia ends in violent clashes with police
Police fired teargas and clashed with protesters in the Serbian capital after tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the decade-long rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.
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Hungary in talks to buy 1bn cubic metres of Romanian Black Sea gas annually
Hungary's new government is expected to decide within weeks on a contract to buy 1bn cubic metres of gas annually from Romania's Neptun Deep Black Sea field, Index has reported, citing informed sources.
Romania signs €16.7bn SAFE financing agreement with European Commission
Bucharest secures one of the EU’s largest allocations for military procurement and strategic infrastructure projects.
Tensions rise in northern Kosovo ahead of snap parliamentary elections
Kosovo authorities detained several officials in the Serb-majority municipality of Gračanica, triggering protests.
EU disburses Western Balkans funds, Serbia left out on unmet criteria
European Commission said Serbia and Bosnia did not qualify for latest Growth Plan tranche, as they have yet to fully implement policies set out in their reform agendas.
Fitch expects Romania to limit macroeconomic damage from political crisis
Rating agency expects limited near-term impact from political crisis on public finances, despite growing uncertainty surrounding the formation of a new government and fiscal consolidation efforts.
Bulgaria's Radev eyes bigger EU defence industry role on Berlin visit
Sofia aims to strengthen ties with Germany – its largest trading partner – and to play a more active role within the European Union and Nato.
Kosovo begins construction of first ammunition factory
Factory producing 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm calibre ammunition is expected to become operational by end-2026.
Serbia to submit final NIS proposal to MOL as talks near deadline
MOL has been in exclusive talks to acquire a 56.15% stake in NIS from Russia’s Gazprom Neft and Gazprom, which are under pressure to divest following US sanctions imposed in 2025.
Romania risks losing €15bn in RRF funds amid reform delays
Only seven of Romania's 45 targets and milestones under the Recovery and Resilience Facility have been fulfilled; the remaining 38 must be completed by the end of August.
Serbia dissatisfied with MOL’s revised NIS offer, talks to continue
Revised offer failed to address concerns over the Pancevo oil refinery and its role in supplying the domestic market, Energy Minister Dubravka Dedovic Handanovic said.
Western allies split over future of peace envoy role in Bosnia
Christian Schmidt's resignation as high representative prompts debate on institution's future with US position edging closer to Russia's.
Moldova's separatist Transnistria faces mounting economic pressures
Officials in Tiraspol accused Chisinau of imposing additional fiscal pressure on companies operating in the region.
Romanian president sees technocratic cabinet as viable option to resolve coalition deadlock
No prime minister candidate commands majority support in parliament, given the entrenched positions adopted by political parties after the collapse of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s cabinet.
North Macedonia starts preparations for 2026 budget rebalance amid global uncertainty
Government looks to preserve macroeconomic stability and support economic growth as global uncertainty grows, Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kocoska says.
Bosnia peace overseer to step down after nearly five years
Christian Schmidt, who took office in 2021, has been one of the most controversial figures in Bosnia’s post-war politics.
EU plans to double military support for Moldova under European Peace Facility
Increased support comes as Moldova faces growing security concerns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine and what Moldovan authorities describe as hybrid attacks and destabilisation attempts by Moscow.
EU ambassador warns Bosnia risks losing funds without reforms
Bosnia formally opened the path towards EU accession talks in 2024, but progress has stalled amid disputes between the country’s rival political leaders.