Enlargement
Bulgaria and Macedonia start removing hurdles to relations
During new Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev's visit to Sofia on Tuesday (20 June), it was announced that Bulgaria and Macedonia will soon sign a bilateral treaty, removing some obstacles to Skopje’s bid to join NATO and the EU.
Albania grapples with cannabis, a hurdle to EU accession
As Albania gears up for elections, one huge challenge facing the Balkan country has been low on the campaign agendas: the scourge of its cannabis fields, which threatens to hinder EU accession.
Serbia names gay woman as premier in Balkan first
Serbia's president yesterday (15 June) named an openly gay woman as the next prime minister, a milestone move for the deeply conservative country and the wider Balkan region.
Kosovo lurches to nationalism as Brussels lets down its friends
Elections in the West Balkans are never easy. Federica Mogherini might consider intervening now on the side of the pro-European forces in Kosovo, writes Denis MacShane.
Another contested demolition in Belgrade’s Savamala district
The Serbian government has come under fire once again after the Nelt Group announced that its facilities in downtown Belgrade had been illegally razed. EURACTV.rs reports.
New Macedonia leaders vow to revive EU/NATO bid
Macedonia's new leaders showed fresh resolve to revive the country's stalled bid for membership of the EU and NATO on Monday (June 12) by vowing to mend relations with estranged EU neighbours Greece and Bulgaria and implement long-delayed reforms.
Kosovo’s ‘war wing’ coalition wins parliamentary vote
A coalition led by the ruling centre-right Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) came first in Kosovo's snap parliamentary election yesterday (11 June), but it will have to find a coalition partner to form a stable government, results based on a partial vote count showed.
Fragile Kosovo prepares for ‘crucial’ vote
Nine years after proclaiming independence, fragile Kosovo votes Sunday (11 June) at a time of high tension with Serbia, rampant unemployment and some of its leaders threatened with prosecution for war crimes.
Berlin Plus: EU signals Western Balkans still a priority
Sigmar Gabriel hopes his new Berlin Plus plan will receive a warm welcome. Intended to dispel fears in the Western Balkans that the Union is preoccupied with domestic crises, Belgrade worries Berlin Plus is an excuse to leave Serbia in the "EU waiting room". EURACTIV.rs reports.
New Macedonia PM signals willingness to tackle row with Greece
Macedonia's new Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, has signalled a possible shift in the country's sour relations with neighbouring Greece, which have blocked Skopje's efforts to join the European Union and NATO.
Croatia to build bridge around Bosnia
Croatia will move forward with building a bridge linking the two parts of its Adriatic coastline, which should cut travel times for tourists, after the EU on Wednesday (7 June) approved €357 million euros in financing.
Vucic inauguration highlights premier vacuum in Serbia
On 31 May, Serbia got a new president: Serbian Progressive Party leader and now ex-Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić. But the public is trying to guess who the new premier will be and whether an early general election will be called. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Serbia’s new president calls for ‘dialogue’ over Kosovo
Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić, who was sworn in as the country's president yesterday (31 May), wants to open a debate over the future of Kosovo, the breakaway province whose independence Belgrade has refused to recognise.
Macedonia’s parliament opens session in Albanian language
Macedonia's prime minister-designate Zoran Zaev pledged yesterday (30 May) to lead the country into the European Union and NATO as the parliament began debate on forming the new government.
‘Chinese Balkan corridor’ pits EU north against south
The Western Balkans have become China’s preferred access point to the EU, and a corridor to Europe’s north from the Greek port of Piraeus is being financed by Beijing. But Brussels fears EU rules will not be respected, while in northern countries, big ports resent the competition.
Albania opposition supporters ‘poisoned’ by white powder
Albanian police launched a probe yesterday (29 May) into the alleged poisoning of several dozen opposition supporters by a mysterious white powder at a weekend rally.
The man who Trump shoved
US President Donald Trump was filmed barging his way past a fellow leader at last week’s NATO summit. But who was the man he jostled out of the way? EURACTIV’s partner treffpunkteuropa.de reports.
Mogherini to Western Balkans: EU door remains open
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini held separate meetings with six prime ministers from the West Balkans in Brussels on Wednesday (on May 24). The talks come amid concerns over the possible rise of tensions in the Western Balkans. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Loss of trust in EU has social and economic consequences
Trust in EU membership is on the up across the continent but confidence in the Union’s institutions continues to flag. That is why a number of initiatives designed to increase transparency and accountability have gained momentum in recent years.
‘Yugo-stalgic’ Balkans long for socialist past
The breakup of Yugoslavia brought more harm than good, according to a new survey. ‘Yugo-stalgia’ and dissatisfaction caused by low employment and political instability mean many yearn for the days of socialism.
NATO breaks partnership deadlock over Turkey-Austria dispute
NATO reached a deal yesterday (23 May) to unblock partnerships with around 40 non-member countries which had been paralysed by a dispute between Turkey and Austria, officials said.
Albanian opposition joins government to clear vote obstacles
Opposition ministers joined Albania's government yesterday (22 May) to ensure public resources and the police will not be used to sway the 25 June general election, hopefully setting the scene for a trouble-free vote.
End of the affair: Montenegro joins NATO, inviting Russia ire
Tiny Montenegro will take a huge step towards integrating with the West when it becomes the 29th member of NATO this week, but it risks paying a heavy price for spurning Russia.
Croatia at a crossroads
Croatia’s geostrategic position in the Balkans means the rest of Europe should pay attention to this weekend’s elections, writes Tomislav Karamarko.