Balkans

Zorana Mihajlovic, former Serbian minister of mining and energy, said she “did not agree to be a pawn“ which “may be the reason“ why she will not be part of the newest Serbian government after 10 years of being a senior official. At her last press conference as a minister, …

After adopting legislation to address corruption, Hungary received two more months to prove EU funds are safe and there’s no need for financial sanctions. If Hungary succeeds, it will not be because of such cosmetic moves, but because of how EU politics work. Astrange charade is going on in Brussels: …

The prolonged tension between Serbia and Kosovo has enabled the far right in Serbia to flourish – and link up with like-minded foreign counterparts. Some 23 years after Kosovo achieved its autonomy from the rump Yugoslavia of Montenegro and Serbia and 14 years after its unilateral declaration of independence from …

The legendary Bosnian filmmaker, who has just produced a new docu-film, discusses identity, Balkan Beats, migration – and how a near-death experience in the Bosnian war almost ended his career before it began. Bosnian filmmaker Sergej Kreso – who just came out with a new docu-film on Balkan Beats DJ …

Serbian President Aleksander Vucic has once again doubled down on his refusal to align with EU sanctions against Russia, despite growing pressure from the EU. The Western Balkan country has refused to align with sanctions laid down following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent war crimes carried out against citizens. …

Turkey must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all EU member states, particularly Greece and Cyprus, but Ankara remains a key partner, the EU Commission’s latest country report notes. The Commission’s enlargement package was presented by Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi on Wednesday. It assessed the progress made by Western …

The Albanian President Bajram Begaj called a meeting of the National Security Council in Tirana on Monday, with senior government officials in attendance, to discuss matters related to the ongoing cyberattacks against state infrastructure by Iran. Over the weekend, the Homeland Justice Telegram channel, which has served as an outlet …

Russia says that European sanctions block the energy transfer to Turkiye and Balkan region, Reuters reports. According to the report, the Russian operator of a pipeline that supplies Turkiye and the Balkans with natural gas, South Stream Transport B.V, would suspend some maintenance and repair work, citing European Union sanctions, …

Bosnia’s international peace overseer imposed changes to the election law aimed to prevent blockades of a regional government after polls closed in presidential and parliamentary vote on Sunday. Former German politician Christian Schmidt, who has vast powers as international High Representative in Bosnia, acted to enable a more effective work …

The EU has always been tempted to hatch deals with powerful politicians – but this has only cemented the unhealthy grip of ethno-politics on the country. Despite the proximity of general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s High Representative, Christian Schmidt, has continued to flirt with the incomprehensible step …