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.
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.
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.
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.
Romanian government plans overhaul of state enterprises to increase transparency
Reforms are part of broader government effort to support urgently needed fiscal consolidation measures.
Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc detained in Greece over $1bn bank fraud case
Plahotniuc has been under international investigation for his alleged involvement in Moldova’s infamous $1bn bank fraud scandal.
Minth to invest nearly €2bn in new automotive plants across Serbia
Serbia is emerging as a manufacturing base for global automotive and EV producers thanks to its improving macroeconomic conditions and pro-investment policies.
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Romania signs €2bn air defence agreement with Israel’s Rafael
The SHORAD and VSHORAD systems are critical components in Romania’s efforts to modernise its military capabilities amid evolving regional security dynamics.
Serbia and Hungary advance plans for joint oil pipeline by 2027
Planned 128-kilometre pipeline will link Serbia to the Druzhba pipeline network via Hungary.