Enlargement
Bosnian Serbs vote to form reserve police seen as threat by Muslims
Bosnian Serb lawmakers voted on Thursday (18 April) to introduce reserve police forces, a move seen as a security threat by Muslim Bosniaks living in Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic.
North Macedonia presidential vote imperils Prespa agreement gains
North Macedonia holds the first round of its presidential election on Sunday (21 April), the country's first vote under a new name as it struggles with enduring economic problems, cronyism and corruption.
Serbia’s civil sector, NGOs demand more rights
NGOs in Serbia have adopted a joint document aimed at preserving the civil society and its freedoms in the EU candidate country, after seeing a growing number of physical assaults on their activists and verbal abuse in pro-government media. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Dubrovnik 16+1 summit rolls the red carpet for China
From coal plants to airports and bridges, China is forking out for investments across the Western Balkans, laying groundwork for a new battle for influence on the European Union's fringe.
Ukraine elections elephant in the room ahead of Eastern Partnership talks
Ahead of the Eastern Partnership's (EaP) tenth anniversary in May, EU foreign ministers are next week set to review the progress of the bloc’s framework with the six countries, with the situation in Ukraine being the elephant in the room.
Serbia in the EU in 2025 – mission (im)possible
Serbia's accession to the EU in 2025 seems unrealistic, given its slow pace of progress, though not entirely impossible, civil society representatives have said but warned that neither Belgrade nor Brussels were trying very hard. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
Western Balkans to abolish roaming charges by 2021
Western Balkans countries agreed on Thursday (4 April) to lower and eventually abolish roaming charges, in a rare act of neighbourly goodwill in region riven with political feuds.
Chinese Balkans investments disrupt EU objectives, Commission warns
Some Chinese investments entail “macro-economic imbalances and debt-dependency” risk in the Western Balkans and impact EU objectives in the region, an EU spokesperson has said in light of a controversial energy project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Greece will police North Macedonia’s airspace following historic visit
Greece and North Macedonia signed a number of crucial agreements to enhance their economic and military collaboration following a historic visit of Greek premier Alexis Tsipras to Skopje.
Tsipras pays historic visit to North Macedonia
Greece's prime minister will on Tuesday (2 April) pay a historic visit to newly renamed North Macedonia to join in marking the end of a decades-long identity row between the two countries.
Western Balkans pump subsidies worth €1.2 billion into coal
Western Balkan countries, which have set their sights on EU membership, are still propping up coal power with large public subsidies worth more than €1.2 billion, a new report revealed on Monday (25 March). The subsidies are not in line with EU regulations or decarbonisation efforts.
Serbia marks 20 years since NATO bombing campaign
Serbia on Sunday (24 March) marked 20 years since the NATO air strikes that forced Belgrade to withdraw its troops from Kosovo, ending a conflict that claimed more than 13,000 lives.
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.
Pressure builds in Belgrade, EU calls for dialogue with civil society
Thousands of anti-government protesters staged a rally outside President Aleksandar Vučić’s residence on Sunday (17 March) to press their demands for greater media freedom and free and fair elections, a day after they briefly broke into the state television building.
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.