Southeast Europe / News
Fitch confident Bulgaria heading for euro adoption
Rating agency says Eurozone entry to boost government stability after series of unstable coalitions that stalled reform progress.
Erdogan opponent Imamoglu attends first court hearing, held in Silivri prison
Case concerns alleged insult he directed at Istanbul's chief prosecutor.
UPDATE: Hungary blocks EU sanctions on Serbia's deputy PM
Vulin claims Hungary and Slovakia have blocked EU sanctions on him after he made a series of controversial remarks in the European Parliament earlier this week.
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Gasoline prices in Turkey down 1% as Trump’s tariffs hit oil prices
Despite annual decline, gasoline price in Turkey still compares a few times higher than the seven liras seen in 2021.
Turkey’s main opposition chair calls UK PM Starmer ‘loser’ in Guardian interview
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party chair Ozgur Ozel has hit out at the UK’s PM and Labour Party chair, Sir Keir Starmer, for keeping mum amid attacks on its sister party.
Serbia's Vucic mobilises supporters for weekend rally in the capital
President seeks to display strength following months of protests and dwindling support.
Romania’s Banca Transilvania expands in Moldova with takeover of top microfinance firm Microinvest
Acquisition to allow Victoriabank to diversify its portfolio and client base by integrating Microinvest’s strong position in the microfinance sector.
Serbia keeps reference interest rate steady at 5.75%
The National Bank of Serbia left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.75% on April 10, marking the seventh consecutive month it has held borrowing costs steady.
Turkey in close contact with Israel to avoid undesired engagements in Syria
Turkey has been holding technical talks with Israel concerning the de-escalation of any conflict in Syria when needed, Reuters on April 9 quoted Turkey Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as saying.
Vucic in Paris as Serbia faces domestic tensions
Vucic boasted about his friendship with Macron, noting that they like to exchange wine and sometimes stay up until the early hours talking.
Turkey burns $8bn of reserves on Trump tumult Monday to keep lira at 38.00 against US dollar
Turkey’s central bank has burnt $7.6bn worth of FX reserves on April 7 and another $3.1bn on April 8, according to calculations by @e507.
Trump’s and Putin’s men to talk Ukraine in Istanbul on April 10
The US and Russian delegations will on April 10 hold their next meeting in Istanbul, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on April 8. The meeting will be launched at 10h Istanbul time in Russia’s consulate.
JFE Shoji opens first factory in Europe – in Serbia
Japanese company JFE Shoji inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory in the Serbian town of Inđija on April 8, marking its first manufacturing plant in Europe.
Turks target Elon Musk after X blocks more accounts for calling boycott
The second district court in Istanbul has ordered the blockage of the X accounts of three famous actors after they called on their followers to participate in a boycott, EngelliWeb (@engelliweb), which follows up internet censor in Turkey.
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Serbs from Kosovo march to Belgrade for pro-government rally
While pro-government Serbs march to the capital Belgrade, a group of 80 students are cycling in the other direction to Strasbourg, to demand EU support for the ongoing protests against the government.
Turkish doctor Oz bags congress approval to chair Trump’s trillion dollar Medicare agency
Friendship with US president dates back to their time in showbusiness.
Erdogan’s junior ally proves he's not dead
MHP leader Devlet Bahceli reappears after two months out of public eye.
Mehmet Simsek is finance arm of Turkey's "coupist junta", says opposition leader
Ozgur Ozel launches attack on former Merrill Lynch investment banker, saying "Nobody should trust this man".
Trump gave his backing to Erdogan's arrest of main political rival Imamoglu, claims opposition leader
Turkey run by junta that mounted coup, says Ozgur Ozel, adding that its president “no longer has legitimacy. He fears elections. He fears the streets.”
Trump tumult hits Borsa Istanbul and Turkey’s CDS as lira remains at 38.00
Turkish stock exchange is, however, controlled by the regime to guard against collapses.