Western Balkans

Europe News

What will a new defence pact in southeast Europe mean for the region?

The military deal signed by Albania, Croatia and Kosovo has angered Serbia at a time of growing concern over defence capabilities across the continent.

25/03/2025

Europe News

High stakes in Bosnia: Dodik's trial could ignite ethnic tensions

If the president of the Republika Srpska entity, Milorad Dodik, is sent to prison by Bosnia's state court, the Serb-majority entity could find itself further distanced from the country's capital.

19/02/2025

Kosovo

Development of Kosovo's Security Force stirs controversy and concern

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said Kosovo's Security Force (KSF) should develop into an army by 2028, but there is strong opposition from Serbia.

14/02/2025

Kosovo

New Trump administration's sudden involvement bewilders Kosovo

Former US envoy for Kosovo and Serbia, Richard Grenell, recently appointed as Trump's special envoy for special missions, criticised the Kosovo prime minister, provoking bewilderment in Kosovo right before the vote on Sunday.

07/02/2025

Europe News

Euroviews. Montenegro pursues values-driven EU enlargement process

The President of Montenegro outlines four scenarios in which candidate countries may engage with EU enlargement, with only one - in which both sides play their role fully in the democratisation process - is ideal.

04/02/2025

Healthcare

Enlargement health check: Which EU hopefuls are fittest?

A recent "checkup" on EU candidate countries reveals how well the nine hopefuls align with the bloc’s health standards.

01/11/2024

Europe News

Montenegro census results reveal majority identifies as Montenegrin

According to Tuesday's census results, 41.12% of Montenegro's population identifies as Montenegrin, while roughly 33% identifies as Serb, a notable increase.

15/10/2024

Europe News

Albania aims to be EU member by 2030, PM Rama says

The EU gave a largely positive initial assessment of Albania's progress towards joining the bloc, though Brussels notes room for improvement on corruption, media independence and the judicial system.

15/10/2024

Europe News

Albania opens EU membership talks amid political turmoil at home

The opening of formal EU accession talks comes days after opposition supporters clashed with police on the streets of Tirana.

15/10/2024

Europe News

Scholz underlines need for cooperation between West Balkan states

The six West Balkan states attended a summit in Berlin to sign agreements to bring them closer to EU membership. The German Chancellor said they needed to cooperate.

14/10/2024

Europe News

Berlin summit seeks closer EU ties for Western Balkan states

First initiated by Germany, the Berlin Process aims to bring six Western Balkan states closer to the EU.

14/10/2024

Europe Decoded

Why tensions with neighbours have stalled North Macedonia’s EU bid

EU ambassadors failed to approve the opening of the next chapter of EU accession talks with Skopje last week.

30/09/2024

Kosovo

Kosovo PM asks Serbia to hand over gunmen involved in Banjska shooting

Kosovo has pressed charges against 45 people allegedly involved in the killing of policeman Afrim Bunjaku. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

25/09/2024

Europe News

Brain drain in Western Balkans spikes amid absence of opportunities

Youth brain drain is becoming a worrisome problem for the Western Balkan countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia.

16/09/2024

Kosovo

Kosovo prosecutors indict 45 for attack by armed Serb group

The 45 people were charged in absentia for their alleged involvement in the 2023 gunfight that left four dead near the Banjska village in the north of Kosovo.

12/09/2024

Europe News

Europe should enlarge gradually – Austrian minister

Two new members, Montenegro and Albania, could join the bloc by 2030, Karoline Edtstadler told Euronews.

27/08/2024

Serbia

Will EU's lithium deal with Serbia be a boost for Europe's green tech?

Serbia's "lithium deal" is coming back as part of an initiative that officials in Brussels, Belgrade and Berlin hope will be a huge green boon for the continent.

25/07/2024

Europe Decoded

Euroviews. The EU must foster deeper defence integration with accession countries

Today’s situation demands the EU to put foreign and defence policy alignment into the heart of the enlargement process, Laurence Boone and Nicu Popescu write.

05/06/2024

Kosovo

Kosovo accession to the Council of Europe is likely to be delayed

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers will not be making a decision on Kosovo membership in mid-May, according to their agenda. In the meantime, Pristina has been asked to fix the constitutional issue related to the Community of Serb Municipalities.

09/05/2024

Europe News

North Macedonia elects first woman president as centre-left crumbles

On Wednesday, North Macedonia saw a significant political shift to the nationalist right-wing amidst historic losses for the governing SDSM in presidential and parliamentary contests.

09/05/2024