Southeast Europe / News
US to delay sanctions on Serbia for fifth time
Belgrade seeks longer-term solution as refinery exemption extended for fifth time.
Croatia’s Žito shares debut on Zagreb Stock Exchange after record €130mn IPO
Shares of Žito Group, one of Croatia’s largest agri-food companies, began trading on the Zagreb Stock Exchange on July 28 following the country’s biggest initial public offering by a privately owned company, which raised €130mn.
Wildfires strain emergency services in Albania
Wildfires continued to sweep across southern Albania on July 28, prompting the evacuation of several villages and mobilising hundreds of emergency workers as authorities struggled to bring dozens of blazes under control.
Serbia raises €300mn in 5-year dinar bond auction
Serbia successfully raised €300mn (RSD35bn) in a primary auction of five-year dinar-denominated government bonds on July 28.
Ukraine’s EU bid should remain linked to Moldova’s accession - Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine’s EU accession bid should remain linked to Moldova’s in a wake of the passage of the controversial Law 21414 that guts Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms.
Viktor Orban vows to block next EU budget in keynote speech in Transylvania
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban repeated his threat to block the next long-term EU budget and argued for a multi-speed Europe, while criticising the EU for supporting Ukraine in his annual keynote address at the Baile Tusnad summer university.
Russia, China to set their own gold exchanges, cut ties with Western control
Russia and China are taking concrete steps to reduce Western influence over global gold markets, signalling a broader move towards monetary self-reliance and the redomiciliation of gold reserves away from traditional Western centres.
50° “edge of survival” heat hits Turkey for first time in recorded history
“This is climate change, and it’s accelerating,” say weather experts. President, meanwhile, refers to “truly great disaster” facing country as wildfires spread.
Protests resume in Serbia over Rio Tinto lithium project
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in the western Serbian city of Valjevo, reigniting protests against Rio Tinto’s controversial lithium mining project.
Romania avoids downgrade to junk
S&P affirms Romania’s fragile BBB- rating citing fiscal consolidation measures.
Strike breaks out at construction site where Russia is building Turkey’s first nuclear power plant
Rosatom blames unpaid wages on “unfriendly countries” blocking project funds. Launch of first reactor years behind schedule.
Analyst warns Kosovo risks economic and political isolation as Albania moves closer to EU
Kosovo may face a return to “hard borders” with Albania and Montenegro within the next five to seven years if current political trends continue.
Kosovo's public broadcaster RTK on verge of collapse as financial crisis deepens
Broadcasting associations urge the Kosovo government to immediately ensure funding for RTK and safeguard its independence.
Serbia seeks 180-day extension of US sanctions waiver for NIS
Belgrade has argued that sanctions on NIS would jeopardise energy supply across the Balkans and worsen Serbia's economic outlook.
Russia and Ukraine agree to expand prisoner exchanges at third Istanbul talks, no progress on ceasefire
Russia and Ukraine have concluded a third round of direct negotiations in Istanbul, agreeing to another large POW swap and including civilians for the first time, but no other progress was made.
Syria’s transitional government requests support from Turkey in strengthening defence capabilities
US, meanwhile, says it has "no position" on the prospect of a defence pact between the neighbours.
Ten workers perish battling wildfires in Turkey
Minister says personnel became “trapped inside” a blaze after a change in the direction of the wind.
Hungary holds trilateral talks on construction of new oil pipeline to Serbia with Russia
Hungary and Serbia are moving ahead with plans to build a new cross-border oil pipeline that could transport up to 5mn tonnes per year of crude, as both countries deepen energy ties with Russia despite EU sanctions.
Serbia facilitated arms transit to Ukraine despite Russian warnings
Serbia continued to permit arms shipments destined for Ukraine to transit its territory even after receiving direct warnings from Moscow, according to a BIRN investigation.
Nigel Farage proposes sending UK prisoners to El Salvador following Trump model
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced plans to send British prisoners to El Salvador if he becomes prime minister, mirroring a controversial arrangement between US President Donald Trump and his Salvadoran counterpart Nayib Bukele.