Enlargement
Kosovo is not Catalonia, Kosovo’s Thaci tells absent Spanish PM Rajoy
Pristina ‘understands’ the decision of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy not to attend the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, but “Kosovo is not Catalonia”, Kosovo's President Hashim Thaçi told EURACTIV.com.
Skopje opposition’s stance takes centre stage in Tsipras-Zaev talks
Athens and Skopje have moved closer to resolving their long-running name dispute but are not yet in a position to talk about an agreement, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday (17 May).
EU pledges funds to Western Balkans, but no firm promises in Sofia
The European Union pledged fresh funds for the Western Balkans on Thursday (17 May) to help its transport and digital infrastructure, renewable energy and education efforts. It also agreed to work closely on "security challenges". But talk of further EU enlargement remained elusive.
Western Balkans remain in standby mode
EU members want to take their time with a new round of enlargement - something that the Western Balkans summit this Thursday (17 May) in Sofia is unlikely to change. EURACTIV Germany’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
EU socialists urge Tsipras and Zaev to show ‘leadership’ to curb nationalism
The President of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Sergei Stanishev, praised on Wednesday (16 May) the efforts by Athens and Skopje to resolve the long-standing name dispute and urged them to show “leadership” against nationalistic trends.
Tusk: With friends like Trump, who needs enemies
The European Union's top official launched a stinging attack Wednesday (16 May) on President Donald Trump, slamming his "capricious assertiveness" and saying the US leader acted more like an enemy than a friend.
EU official: Europe must send signal that it protects its ‘own economic interests’
The EU leaders need to send a message to the rest of the world that Europe will look after “its own economic interests”, an EU official told EURACTIV.com ahead of an informal EU summit in Sofia, overshadowed by the US threat to hit EU companies operating in Iran with sanctions.
EESC chief: Western Balkans’ EU path driven by civil society empowerment
The success of the accession process of the Western Balkan countries needs “meaningful involvement” of civil society organisations in the integration process, Luca Jahier, president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), told EURACTIV.
In Sofia, EU leaders will seek united front on Trump
European Union leaders will try to forge a united response at a summit today (16 May) to US President Donald Trump's shock decisions on the Iran nuclear deal and trade tariffs.
Bulgaria’s EU Presidency sees an ‘opportunity’ in Sofia on Macedonian name dispute
Bulgaria’s EU Presidency sees “an opportunity” in the long-standing name dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at a crucial meeting due in Sofia this week.
EU to meet Balkan leaders under shadow of Trump
EU leaders will seek to boost ties with the Balkans at a summit on Thursday (17 May), but it looks set to be overshadowed by the rift with US President Donald Trump over the Iran nuclear deal.
Serbian citizens not ready for personal sacrifice over Kosovo
Many Serbians see Kosovo's independence as a realistic option, according to a new survey. A majority are also not ready to make any personal sacrifices to regain control over the former Serbian province, whose independence Belgrade refuses to recognise, and are much more preoccupied with economic issues instead.
In Eastern Europe, ‘Immortal Regiment’ marches eclipse Europe Day
What is 9 May? For most in the EU, it’s Europe Day, in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration, the cornerstone of what is today the European Union. But in Eastern Europe, Russia has in recent years promoted a different kind of celebration, more in the vein of Cold War era parades.
Montenegro investigative reporter shot and injured
An attacker shot an investigative reporter in Montenegro Tuesday (8 May), police said, prompting calls from the European Union and the United States to protect journalists in the Balkan country.
New prosecutor named as Kosovo war crimes court keeps working on first indictments
The court examining war crimes against ethnic Serbs in Kosovo said on Monday (7 May) it has appointed a new chief prosecutor, who will pick up the court's efforts to issue its first indictments, three years after it was established.
Greece sends home Turkish citizen who ‘accidentally’ crossed the border
Greece deported to Turkey on Monday (7 May) a Turkish citizen who accidentally crossed into its territory last week, in a move the local press described as a goodwill message to Ankara, which still holds two detained Greek soldiers.
Commission budget proposal hardly makes EU enlargement possible
The Commission proposal for the long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, unveiled on Wednesday (2 May), shows that the funds allocated for EU enlargement are 1.2 times superior to the previous budget period. But no country joined the EU in 2014-2020.
Mattis applauds Macedonia effort to solve name dispute
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday (1 May) praised Macedonia's efforts to resolve a decades-old name dispute with Greece, and said he hoped the Balkan country will be able to join NATO.
Commission defies Turkey’s pressure and insists on Greek soldiers’ release
The European Commission insists that the two Greek soldiers arrested in Turkey should be released, despite Turkey’s pressure on the EU to take a step back from the issue.
We are aware of ‘Europeisation fatigue’, warns Albanian minister
Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati briefed a small group of Brussels journalists on Thursday (26 April) about his country’s EU ambitions, following the Commission’s proposal to start accession negotiations with Tirana and a visit of Prime Minister Edi Rama to Berlin last Wednesday.
Serbia starts to embrace clean energy
2018 will be a crucial year for Serbia's energy sector as 250 megawatts from renewable sources are to be connected to the grid. The same amount again will come online in 2019. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
The Brief – Macron pulls the Balkan rug
Playing fast and loose with the Balkans is not a great idea. The EU has already found that out the hard way, more than once. Now the region needs clarity and supervision in order to gradually progress towards mainstream Europe. Apparently Emmanuel Macron missed that memo.
Don’t turn your back on us, Albania PM tells EU
Denying Albania the prospect of one day becoming a European Union member could fuel Muslim radicalisation in the Balkan country, endangering regional stability, its prime minister Edi Rama said.