Southeast Europe / News
Romania lowers 2025 growth forecast to 0.6% on weaker consumption
Revised forecast assumes slower household income growth, leading to reduced private consumption.
Lavrov hosts Dodik in Moscow, blames West for Bosnia tensions
Dodik has been seeking support from Russia and other allies after being stripped of his mandate as Republika Srpska president.
Pro-Russian Patriotic Bloc narrowly ahead of pro-EU PAS in new Moldovan poll
Poll shows bloc formed by Moldova's Socialist and Communist parties has narrow lead, with smaller parties expected to become kingmakers post-election.
Kosovo announces €1bn military budget and “Made in Kosovo” drones
Acting PM Albin Kurti outlines an ambitious security and defence agenda, but formation of Kosovo's next government remains on hold.
EU rebukes Serbian president for calling European Green Party leaders 'scumbags'
Vula Tsetsi and other Green Party officials took part in an anti-government protest in Serbia's Novi Sad.
Trump chews coalition of the willing leaders out over Russian oil imports
US President Donald Trump got into another shouting match over the Ukraine conflict, this time with Europe’s top leaders of the coalition of the willing, in a phone call following the end of the Paris summit on September 4.
Romania’s President Dan says securing stable government his top achievement in first 100 days
Nicușor Dan rates his performance at “seven to eight out of ten”, citing government stability and efforts to rein in Romania's deficit.
The coalition of the willing meet in Paris to try and stop the war in Ukraine
President Zelenskiy travelled to Denmark and France on September 3 to meet with leaders from 35 countries that make up the coalition of the willing (COW) and discuss the need for strong measures to pressure Russia to negotiate an end to the war.
Moldova expects EU’s accession support to double country’s GDP growth rate
Economic development ministry says consistent implementation of investments under the EU accession programme could hike growth to 4.3% in 2028.
North Macedonia rocked by new wiretapping scandal
Hristijan Mickoski says North Macedonia country is facing a new scandal involving illegal wiretapping and massive abuse of the surveillance system. A similar scandal sparked the Colourful Revolution of 2016.
Serbia records lowest support for EU in Western Balkans, survey shows
Just 33% of respondents in Serbia backed EU membership, compared with 91% in Albania and 69% in North Macedonia.
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Serbia pushes for gas deal in Beijing meeting with Putin
Russia remains a key supplier of energy to Serbia and an ally in Belgrade’s dispute with Kosovo, despite strains in their relationship over the war in Ukraine.
Putin won’t let me break up Bosnia, says ex-Republika Srpska president Dodik
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik told the BBC he plans to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to support his push for an independence referendum in Republika Srpska.
Future 500 Forum to tackle Europe’s chronic scale-up gap
As Europe lags Asia and the US on competitiveness, a new initiative aims to give Central and Southeast Europe’s most promising companies a shot at becoming global champions, co-founder Stjepan Orešković tells bne IntelliNews.
BRICS leaders gather in China to coordinate anti-Trump alliance
The EU’s 27 foreign ministers will debate seizing Russia’s frozen $200bn at an informal gathering in Copenhagen, as the leading BRICS nations gathered in Beijing to form a common strategy to deal with US trade aggression on August 30.
EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Russia problem
European foreign ministers gathered in Copenhagen to discuss a number of issues with holding Russia to account for the war with Ukraine at the top of the agenda.
Rheinmetall to invest over €1.5bn in Balkan munitions factories
German defence giant's investments are part of a broader European effort to boost defence production since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Serbian police use pepper spray to disperse protest in Novi Sad
Protests have turned violent in recent weeks, with confrontations between pro- and anti-government groups and the police.
European leaders pledge support for Moldova’s EU path on independence day
Leaders of France, Germany and Poland pledged firm support for Moldova's bid as it heads for a crucial general election in September.
US grants Serbia’s NIS sixth sanctions waiver
The delay follows recent US-Russia talks in Alaska, which may have influenced Washington’s decision.