Enlargement
Serbia warns Kosovo against ‘undermining’ regional stability
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Sunday (11 November) accused Kosovo of "undermining regional cooperation and stability" by raising taxes on Serbian goods.
EU urges Kosovo to revoke import tax on Serbia, Bosnia goods
The European Union called on Kosovo on Wednesday (7 November) to revoke its decision to impose an import tax on goods coming from Serbia and Bosnia, a move that is likely to further sour relations between Pristina and Belgrade.
Kurz: Belgrade-Pristina talks must continue and find solution
Austria, the current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, will support any agreement reached by Kosovo and Serbia in the process of normalising relations, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told Belgrade and Pristina during a mini-tour of the region. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Athens and Skopje break ‘air embargo’ after 15 years
The first direct flight from Skopje to Athens took place on Thursday (1 November) after a 15-year “air embargo” in a sign that the two countries are determined to turn a new page in Balkan politics, after being locked in a diplomatic dispute over Skopje's official name.
Filibustering – a regular occurrence in Serbia’s parliament
The work of Serbia's parliament reflects the general trend of the "capture" of state institutions by the ruling party, while filibustering and avoidance of public debates in parliament have become common practice, notes the latest civil society report on the Balkan country's progress on the rule of law. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Albania bans sports betting, restricts casinos in bid to tackle organised crime
Albania's parliament on Thursday (25 October) passed a law banning a large sports betting industry and restricting casinos in a bid to clamp down on organised crime.
Commission asks Turkey to respect international agreements after new spat with Greece
The European Union remains committed to good neighbourly relations and respect of international agreements, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com following tensions between Athens and Ankara on the expansion of territorial waters in the Aegean.
Multicultural school for Croats and Serbs in Vukovar fails to take off
The construction of a super-modern school in Vukovar, a town that symbolises suffering in Croatia's 1991-95 independence war, was meant to foster inclusiveness and reconciliation in a place that remains divided along Croat-Serb ethnic lines. But the project never took off and Norway is now demanding its funding back. EURACTIV Croatia reports.
Macedonian parliament approves country’s name change
The Macedonian parliament approved on Friday (19 October) a proposal to change the country's name, bringing a decades-old dispute with Greece one step closer to being resolved.
China in the Balkans: Motivations behind growing influence
Beijing’s influence in the Balkans continues to grow, but we should not compare it with Russia. Chinese influence differs in both motives and tools used for its spreading, writes Matej Šimalčík.
Russia: Western pressure on Macedonia crossed all boundaries
The Russian ministry of foreign affairs published on Thursday (18 October) a communiqué blasting what it called “roughest interference” by the US and leading EU states in pushing through the Skopje parliament the Macedonia-Greece name dispute agreement.
Kosovo moves to create an army, Serbia warns of ‘threat to peace’
Kosovo on Thursday (18 October) took the first steps towards creating its own army, ten years after it declared independence, despite fierce opposition from the ethnic Serb minority and Serbia itself which called the move "a threat to peace".
One-fifth of Serbs want to leave Serbia
Around one-fifth of Serbian citizens potentially want to emigrate in search of a better life and better-paying jobs, according to a new survey. Most of them are young people and almost all of them want to go West. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Greek FM resigns, Tsipras to finalise Macedonia deal personally
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will take over the foreign affairs portfolio following a surprise decision by Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias to resign on Wednesday (17 October).
Mogherini: FYROM name change deal will transform entire South-East Europe
The recently reached "historic" name deal between Athens and Skopje will have a wider positive impact and a spill-over effect in entire South-East Europe, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said.
Macedonia parliament to vote on name change deal with Greece
Macedonia's parliament will vote Monday (15 October) on whether to ratify a deal to change the country's name, in a bid to finally settle one of Europe's longest running disputes.
Visa liberalisation for Kosovo: The only tangible result for the foreseeable future
Visa liberalisation for Kosovo could prove crucial in maintaining leverage for the region, while alllowing for more time to seek a sustainable solution with Serbia, writes Donika Emini and Zoran Nechev.
Erdogan gets warm welcome in Hungary
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was given a warm welcome in Hungary Monday (8 October) just weeks after Ankara's strained relations with other EU nations were thrown into sharp relief in a tense visit to Germany.
EU responds to FYROM president, insists on not importing disputes during enlargement
Experience garnered during previous enlargements has taught the EU a lesson: the bloc should not import existing disputes when granting membership, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com after FYROM President Gjorge Ivanov accused Brussels of “double standards”.
Nationalist Serb, Bosniak leaders win Bosnia’s presidential vote
Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik and Šefik Džaferović, the candidate of the largest Muslim Bosniak party, have won the Serb and Bosniak seats in Bosnia's triumvirate presidency, the election commission said early Monday (8 October).
After ‘failing a referendum’, who gets to use the name ‘Macedonia’?
Following the recent setback in the referendum held in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s decision to proceed with new elections might be the only way forward, writes Neophytos Loizides.
Juncker raises spectre of new Balkans war
European Union Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned on Friday (5 October) of a possible new war in the Balkans if Bosnia, Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo do not feel the EU is serious about offering them future membership.
As Bosnians prepare to vote, some lament being ‘second-class citizens’
In a country where political power is formally shared by three ethnic groups, Bosnians who identify as "ostali" -- or "others" -- are second-class citizens.