Enlargement
Revolutionary hero’s identity stands in the way of Skopje’s EU path
Historic figure Gotse Delchev, considered as a national hero both in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, now appears to stand in the way of Skopje’s EU path. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Belgrade-Pristina deal only way to counter ‘influences from the East’, Kosovo PM says
Unless Serbia and Kosovo normalise their relations, the Western Balkans will remain vulnerable to foreign influence coming from the East, Kosovo's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti warned MEPs on the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee Thursday evening (10 September.
EU warns Serbia over Jerusalem embassy move
The EU voiced "serious concern and regret" on Monday (7 September) over Belgrade's commitment to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, casting a shadow over the resumption of Serbia-Kosovo talks.
Serbia, Kosovo sign economic pact at White House
Former Balkan foes Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on a historic pact to normalise economic relations, US President Donald Trump announced at the White House on Friday (4 September), hailing the agreement as "historic".
Serbia, Kosovo leaders gear up for tough US talks
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is travelling to Washington this week for talks between Belgrade and Priština in the hope of discussing the economy while Kosovo Premier Avdullah Hoti insists that mutual recognition is the only topic he can discuss with...
Montenegro’s pro-Western ruling party falls short of majority after election
Long-reigning President Milo Djukanovic’s pro-Western ruling party suffered a major setback in Montenegro’s tightly contested parliamentary election, final results showed on Monday (31 August). The party won most votes but fell short of a majority and will require a coalition partner to stay in power.
Montenegro votes with identity, economy at the fore
Montenegro's pro-West leader is fighting to extend his party's 30-year grip on the EU candidate country on Sunday (30 August) in polls dominated by identity debates and anxiety over a pandemic-hit economy.
Enlargement agenda: Investment plans, reforms and elections
In the wake of an "enlargement summit" in May that omitted the word enlargement altogether, the Western Balkans region is set to stay high on the Brussels agenda this fall and possibly even mark one or two milestones in the drawn-out process.
Greece says Turkey is unreliable for dialogue ahead of German FM visit
The Greek government dismissed on Monday (24 august) Turkey’s stated intention to start a dialogue and de-escalate tensions over gas drillings activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying Ankara is not reliable. “A reliable interlocutor is needed for a dialogue”, Greek...
Merkel and Macron vow to ‘preserve’ EU sovereignty in eastern Mediterranean
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday (20 August) they would not accept attacks on EU member states’ sovereignty, amid an escalating row with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
Greece to ratify maritime deals with Egypt and Italy next week
The Greek parliament will discuss and ratify the maritime deals demarcating exclusive economic zones (EEZ) with Egypt and Italy next week, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas has said.
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.
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.
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.
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.