Enlargement
Nothing gets done by sitting out
For years, Serbia lagged behind. We were a step away from bankruptcy, in April 2012, our unemployment rate was 25.5%, with youth unemployment at 51.5%. Our leaders spent money we did not have and watched our infrastructure decay and our population flee the country. Today, the reality is very different, writes Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.
Serbia and Kosovo resume rocky road towards an accord
Former war foes Serbia and Kosovo restarted talks in Brussels on Thursday (16 July) as the EU urged them to compromise to normalise their strained relationship.
The dictatorship next door: Why Serbia’s regime threatens Europe’s credibility
Many European governments and institutions continue to tolerate the regime of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić despite its descent into autocracy, writes Vuk Jeremić.
North Macedonia’s pro-EU SDSM set to win parliamentary vote
North Macedonia's Social Democrats who pledged to take the Balkan country to the EU are set to win the parliamentary vote on Wednesday (15 July), state election commission parliamentary results showed.
Serbia and Kosovo to resume rocky road towards an accord
Former war foes Serbia and Kosovo will restart talks in Brussels on Thursday (16 July) to normalise their strained relationship after a long stalemate, though the road to settling their many disputes is paved with stumbling blocks.
Hagia Sophia: The violation of a symbol
No logical or plausible excuse justifies the conversion of the Hagia Sofia into a mosque, all it does is adds fuel to the fire of nationalism and religious fundamentalism, writes Constantinos Alexandris
The Brief – North Macedonia’s latest moment of truth
As we wrote only a few weeks ago, there is a flurry of post-COVID elections across Eastern Europe and now it is the turn of North Macedonia, a country with a chequered history of international relations. The result of today's vote could well determine the next chapter for the Western Balkans EU candidate.
North Macedonia heads to election with pace of EU accession at stake
North Macedonia holds a parliamentary election on Wednesday (15 July) that may decide the pace of the country's bid for European Union membership, with the governing pro-EU Social Democrats and the main opposition nationalists locked in a close race.
EU gives Turkey one month as pressure for sanctions mounts
EU foreign affairs ministers decided yesterday (13 July) to explore ways of easing tensions with Turkey in the Mediterranean, warning at the same time that Europe will not hesitate to pick the sanctions option if the situation deteriorates.
Serbia-Kosovo talks ‘back on track’ after video meet
The EU said Sunday (12 June) that long-stalled talks between Serbia and Kosovo were "back on track" after a video meeting between the two leaders.
France, Germany seek to unfreeze stalled Kosovo-Serbia talks
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host together with the EU a video summit on Friday (10 July) between Serbia and Kosovo aimed at easing tensions between the Balkan rivals.
An unexpected pole position: The EU in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue
To almost everybody’s surprise, the EU just regained the pole position in the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade. But is the bloc sufficiently prepared for the race, asks Andreas Wittkowsky. Andreas Wittkowsky is the head of Project Peace and Security...
Georgia votes on turning West, not East
Despite the Russian occupation, COVID-19 and the economic recession in the world, Georgia continues to strengthen its democracy – the government is currently preparing for Parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2020, writes Archil Talakvadze.
Montenegro to open final chapter in talks to join the EU amid domestic tensions
The European Commission has given Montenegro a green light to open the last chapter, competition, of its accession negotiations to join the EU, the Western Balkan country's Prime Minister Duško Marković announced on Tuesday (23 June).
North Macedonia faces ‘necessary evil’ when voters head to ballot
To choose your leaders or your health? Voters in North Macedonia are facing this conundrum as the country heads towards key elections just as a second wave of the coronavirus is rising.
EU expects breakthrough in Serbia- Kosovo talks after Vucic electoral win
EU-mediated negotiations aimed at normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo will restart in July after being stalled for almost two years, EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak said on Monday (22 June).
Ruling conservatives claim victory in Serbian parliamentary vote
Serbia's ruling conservative party led by President Aleksandar Vučić is set for a landslide win in parliamentary elections held on Sunday (21 June), according to results projected by Ipsos and CeSID pollsters.
Montenegro calls polls for August despite virus return
Montenegro on Saturday (20 June) scheduled a parliamentary election for August despite a return of the coronavirus two weeks after it had declared the end of the epidemic.
Serbia ready to sacrifice EU membership over Kosovo deal
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday (18 June) he would reject European Union membership if Belgrade does not receive concessions in return for recognising Kosovo and dropping attempts to stop it joining the United Nations.
Serbia’s ruling party certain to win first post-COVID elections
Serbia will hold parliamentary, provincial and local elections on Sunday (June 21), which the ruling Serbian Progressive Party is expected to win hands down, while the biggest opposition bloc plans to boycott the vote, saying it will not be fair and legitimate.
Open letter to Donald Tusk: EPP’s support for Vucic is a disgrace
European People's Party President Donald Tusk has publicly supported Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić ahead of the country's parliamentary election on Sunday (21 June), which the opposition is going to boycott. In response, Serbian opposition leader Dragan Djilas sent an open letter to Tusk. EURACTIV is publishing its shortened version.
Skopje declares end of COVID emergency, paving the way for election in July
North Macedonian president announced the end of the state of emergency on Friday (12 June), indicating that general elections in the EU candidate country will go ahead in early July despite a spike in new COVID-19 cases.
Ahead of vote, virus emboldens Serbian president’s one-man show
An excuse to dominate the airwaves, sideline the opposition and cast himself as a saviour: President Aleksandar Vučić has emerged from the coronavirus crisis stronger than ever as he looks to extend his vice-like grip on Serbia's troubled democracy.