North Macedonia minister: NATO, not EU, saved name change deal

Without the prospect of joining NATO, the North Macedonia name change deal with Greece (Prespa Agreement) would have been dead because the EU side has not been delivering on its promises, North Macedonian deputy PM and defence minister, Radmila Šekerinska, has said.

Serbia and Eurasian Union remove last obstacle to free trade deal

Serbia and the members of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have resolved controversial issues related to brandy and cheese quotas, paving the way for signing a comprehensive free trade agreement.

Bosnian energy project ‘surprises’ EU enlargement chief

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s financial and political support for a coal power plant could have far-reaching consequences on the Balkan country’s EU membership prospects, according to one of the bloc’s top officials.

Albania opposition leader: The Commission is ignoring the reality on the ground

The EU has mistakenly sacrificed democracy for the sake of stability in the Balkan region, Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Albania, told EURACTIV.com in a telephone interview.

Chetnik gathering sparks outrage in Bosnia

A gathering of the ultranationalist Serb Chetnik Movement in the Bosnian town of Višegrad on Sunday (10 March), has sparked a wave of condemnation from inside Bosnia and from the international community.

Political alternative in Montenegro: few pros, many cons

Montenegro is facing Sophie's Choice - sacrificing its statehood or abandoning corrupt authorities, writes Vlado Vurušić, a journalist with EURACTIV.hr, in an analytical report from the country's capital Podgorica.

Serbian leader hints that Kosovo recognition possible

President Aleksandar Vučić hinted Monday (4 March) that Serbia may be willing to recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state, but would require something in return from its former province as part of a broader compromise deal.

Bosnian Serb leader: I have friends both in Moscow and Brussels

The Serb half of Bosnia and Herzegovina wants to join the EU but opposes the Balkan country's plans to become part of NATO, the Serb chairman of Bosnia's tripartite presidency said on Monday (4 March). 

Thousands in Montenegro rally against President Djukanovic

Thousands protested in Montenegro’s capital Podgorica on Saturday (2 February), the fourth such rally in as many weeks, demanding that President Milo Djukanović and his government resign over alleged corruption, cronyism and abuse of office.

Albanian police disperse opposition protest with teargas

Albanian police used teargas Tuesday (26 February) to disperse hundreds of opposition protesters who tried to prevent ruling Socialist MPs from entering parliament.

The Brief – Mapping out the Balkans?

Ever since the UN Security Council placed Kosovo under international administration, paving the way for its independence in 2008, some seasoned Western reporters roaming the Balkans were heard commenting: “This is not the end. It will have to end up with a land swap (between Kosovo and Serbia)”.

Serbia foreign minister: We want border demarcation with Kosovo

Serbia's official position in the dialogue with Kosovo is to go for a border demarcation along ethnic lines between Belgrade and its former province, Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić has said without elaborating further. Dačić's statement was met with protests in both Belgrade and Priština.

Greece and North Macedonia agree to end roaming charges

Athens and Skopje have signed an agreement to gradually decrease roaming charges and remove them completely by 2021.

The Brief – Euromaidan post-mortem

Council President Donald Tusk is in Ukraine to mark the fifth anniversary of Euromaidan, more precisely of the fierce fighting on 18-20 February 2014 in which 77 activists were killed.  Others consider 22 February, when Yanukovich fled to Russia, the culmination...

Albania’s opposition MPs to resign in protest

Albania's centre-right opposition said Monday (18 February) its MPs would resign from parliament, the latest in a series of dramatic protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama, who they accuse of corruption.

The EU must grant visa free travel to Kosovo

The EU finally needs to make good on its oft-repeated promise to grant visa free travel to Kosovo, says Behgjet Pachouli.

Why Kosovo needs to postpone the ‘final’ round of dialogue with Serbia

Kosovo's leaders have got themselves in a serious political crisis. They need to re-set the clock and the agenda of talks with Serbia, write Leke Batalli and Perparim Kryeziu.

European elections also important for countries striving to join EU

Although Serbian citizens will not vote in the European Parliament election in May, its outcome is certainly of interest to them because it will affect the future course and pace of the EU candidate country's negotiations with Brussels.

Diplomat: Risking Russian meddling, Bosnia needs to stabilise before EU elections

The new EU executive may for the first time have Commissioners appointed by nationalists, who will be influenced by Russia. EURACTIV Croatia reports.

Kosovo President and PM at odds over Serbia border changes

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj on Wednesday (6 February) resumed their public dispute over possible border changes to end one of Europe's most volatile territorial disputes.

North Macedonia takes big step toward NATO accession at London summit

NATO signed the accession protocol with North Macedonia on Wednesday (6 February). The military alliance also decided to hold a summit in London in December, when North Macedonia could officially join the alliance.

Ditching unanimity is key to make enlargement work

The EU must change its procedure and allow qualified majority voting in all intermediary stages of the EU accession process, writes Srdjan Cvijic.

Rise in attacks on journalists in Serbia prompts concerns for press freedom

Over the past year, 102 cases of pressure and attacks on journalists and other media professionals have been documented in Serbia. What is particularly worrisome is the upward trend in the number of such cases in the EU candidate country.

Macedonia pledges more reforms to secure EU accession talks

Macedonia's prime minister said Wednesday (30 January) that in addition to changing his country's name, his government was ready to enact further reforms to speed up the start of EU accession talks.