Enlargement
MEPs urge Commission to support Western Balkans in coronavirus fight
Four MEPs have urged the European Commission to support the Western Balkans countries during the coronavirus pandemic by including them in the EU’s medical device export authorisation scheme, in a letter dated 20 March.
EU and US in opposite camps as Kosovo government toppled
Kosovo's government was toppled by a no-confidence vote Wednesday (25 March) less than two months after coming to power, plunging the unstable democracy into political uncertainty as it tries to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Balkan hopefuls get green light to start EU talks, conditions still weigh on Tirana
EU ministers on Tuesday (24 March) approved starting membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, a move hailed as restoring "credibility" after months of damaging delays and bickering.
The Commission’s Eastern Partnership strategy is disappointing
Distance should not be a criterion: Georgia is better prepared for EU membership than the frontrunners of the Western Balkans, writes Andrius Kubilius.
EU moves to start membership talks with North Macedonia, Albania
The European Council is set to give the green light this week for starting accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, in a long-awaited move for the Western Balkans after the enlargement process was effectively put on hold last year.
There is room to democratize EU integration process in Kosovo
It is not surprising why Kosovo lags behind in the EU enlargement process, having in mind that many civic society actors were excluded from previous consultation processes, write Svjetlana Ramic Markovic and Agon Demjaha. Svjetlana Ramic Markovic is MA International...
Serbia turns to China due to ‘lack of EU solidarity’ on coronavirus
Chinese Ambassador to Serbia, Chen Bo, informed Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Tuesday (17 March) that Beijing had approved a donation and decided to send experts to help Serbia fight the coronavirus pandemic. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Pressure on North Macedonia to delay elections over coronavirus
North Macedonia's ex-premier urged the country on Monday (16 March) to postpone a snap poll scheduled for mid-April because of the coronavirus, as governments around the globe struggle to balance basic freedoms with safety measures.
Serbia closes its borders to foreigners over coronavirus
Serbia declared a state of emergency Sunday (15 March) to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, shutting down many public spaces, deploying soldiers to guard hospitals and closing the borders to foreigners.
EU enlargement needs better strategic communication
The advancement of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law in the Western Balkans region and their future in a strong and reformed EU is critical for the future of our continent and our fellow citizens, write...
Brussels warns Erdogan not to hinder efforts to solve EU-Turkey crisis
Turkey must stick to its recent “clear” commitment and stop undermining chances to sort out the ongoing crisis with Brussels by threatening to keep borders open for migrants, EU spokesperson Peter Stano has said.
Albania opposition rallies to stop ‘coup d’état’ over reforms
Thousands of opposition supporters denounced Albania's government at a protest rally on Monday (2 March) in a move likely to deepen a row between the country's president and the socialist administration over judicial reforms sought by the West.
Vucic has destroyed democracy in Serbia
A recent op-ed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is rich with unbelievable false statements, according to Dragan Djilas. As the deception of EU officials has become Vučić's common practice, the former Belgrade mayor sets out to refute almost everything Vučić wrote.
Serbia is a captured state
President Aleksandar Vučić alleges that democracy in Serbia is under attack by the opposition's decision to boycott the elections. On the contrary, writes Sergej Trifunović, we believe that Serbian democracy is under attack by the president and his party, whose actions have thrown Serbia into a political crisis.
Serbian democracy is under attack, indeed
The united front held by Serbia’s mainstream democratic opposition to boycott Vučić’s sham election at all levels is the only honorable and practical course of action, wrtites Vuk Jeremić.
Serbia’s government simulates democracy
The key obstacle to free and fair elections is widespread voter repression by the regime of President Aleksandar Vučić, writes Nebojša Zelenović.
Kosovo war crimes prosecutor files first indictments
The prosecutor for a Hague-based court has handed down the first indictments over alleged war crimes committed by Kosovo guerrillas during a 1990s conflict, a spokeswoman said Monday (24 February).
EU hopefuls up climate game in Western Balkans
Montenegro and North Macedonia have both pledged to cut emissions and put a price on pollution, as new initiatives in the two Western Balkan countries aim to align climate policies more and more with EU norms and standards.
New Kosovo PM ready to revoke tariffs for Serbian goods
A few years ago, the newly elected Kosovo prime minister overturned Serbian trucks. But Albin Kurti now says he is ready to revoke tariffs introduced by his predecessor on Serbian goods.
Rightwing anti-migrant petition in Serbia sparks opposition unease
An anti-immigration campaign launched by a Serbian rightwing nationalist party has sparked unease within the disparate opposition coalition to which it belongs.
North Macedonia wins EU praise for pioneering coal-to-solar shift
The European Union energy watchdog praised North Macedonia on Wednesday (19 February) for a pioneering project among EU aspirants to transform an ageing coal mine into two solar power plants, in line with goals to cut pollution and tackle climate change.
Risk still there for Ukraine to become frozen conflict – OSCE chief
Despite recent rapprochement between Ukraine and Russia, the full implementation of the Minsk agreements is still "miles away" and there is still a risk that the separatist regions could turn into another "frozen conflict", OSCE Secretary-General, Thomas Greminger, said in an interview with EURACTIV.
Donors pledge an ‘overwhelming’ €1.15 billion for Albania quake recovery
International donors on Monday (17 February) pledged €1.15 billion to help Albania recover from a powerful earthquake last year, the EU chief announced, more than double the sum expected by Tirana.