Bosnia & Herzegovina
Nato agrees 'fundamental shift' to counter Russia
Security alliance’s leaders agree a big increase in troop deployments on its Eastern Flank, more help for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, and a new Strategic Concept.
Albania and North Macedonia remain stuck in EU accession process
Longtime candidate countries North Macedonia and Albania are still unable to begin accession talks because of a Bulgarian veto, while Montenegro and Serbia are no closer to joining, and Bosnia-Herzegovina has not yet been granted candidate status.
Russia to back €1.5bn investment in two gas-fired power plants in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik announces major investment after he blocked Russia sanctions and voiced strong support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.
Warnings of more political instability if Bosnia fails to secure EU candidate status
President Dodik threatens to scupper cross-party agreement to work towards EU membership if member states don’t offer candidate status at this week’s EU Council meeting.
EU neighbours push for Bosnia to get candidate status
Croatia and Slovenia want Bosnia to be given candidate status along with Ukraine at this week’s EU Council meeting.
Putin praises Bosnia’s Dodik for loyalty to Russia
Bosnian Serb leader travels to St Petersburg for SPIEF 2022 forum after blocking Bosnian efforts to impose sanctions on Russia.
COMMENT: Towards sustainable, safe and smart roads in the Western Balkans
The lack of adequate road infrastructure, as well as road maintenance, has been a persistent impediment to growth in the Western Balkans, but infrastructure bottlenecks are now being addressed.
High-ranking politicians from Serbia and Bosnia attend ‘Russia’s Davos’ shunned by West
While most European leaders stayed away from the SPIEF 2022 forum after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Bosnian President Milorad Dodik was there and made a rousing defence of Putin.
Macron wants ‘accelerated co-operation’ for Moldova as details of EU ‘political community’ proposal leak
On Ukraine's border and with part of its territory controlled by Russia-backed separatists, Moldova is hoping for a positive answer to its application for EU candidate status.
MEPs urge EU member states to recognise Kosovo
Five EU countries do not recognise Kosovo as an independent state, stymieing its hopes of joining the bloc.
BALKAN BLOG: How to keep the EU accession dream alive
With accession bogged down in political disputes, alternatives to the current EU enlargement process are being considered.
Bosnia and Montenegro attend Open Balkan summit but Kosovo shuns event
North Macedonia's PM Dimitar Kovacevski says doors to Open Balkan, founded to improve regional economic co-operation, "remain open" to all Western Balkan states.
Ukraine war puts Bosnian Serb secession plans on ice
MPs in Republika Srpska vote to delay withdrawal from Bosnian state-level institutions, seen as a step towards the entity's potential succession.
US sanctions two top Bosnian politicians over threats to region’s stability
US accuses Bosnian Federation President Marinko Cavara and Republika Srpska Health Minister Alen Seranic of pursuing ethnonationalist and political agendas “at the expense of the democratic institutions and citizens”.
Three landmark legal verdicts strengthen LGBTI rights in Southeast Europe
Despite growing anti-LGBTI rhetoric from politicians across Europe, courts in Bosnia, Bulgaria and Croatia issued rulings reinforcing protection for the rights of LGBTI people.
EU’s credibility on the line over enlargement
Austria’s foreign minister calls enlargement the EU’s biggest geopolitical instrument – but will member states use it to encourage candidates and would-be candidates at the upcoming EU Council?
CEE companies weather the COVID-19 crisis
Prompt and decisive government intervention, financial lifelines and firms’ involvement in global value chains have helped minimise insolvencies, says EIB/EBRD report.
Borrell says EU should step up engagement in Western Balkans to counter Russia threat
EU high commissioner warns decision of most candidate countries to align to the EU sanction policy exposes them to threats from Russia.
EBRD expects 30% GDP contraction in Ukraine in 2022, lowers emerging Europe projections
The EBRD has cut its 2022 emerging Europe growth forecasts again, reflecting a sharp downgrade for Ukraine and the regional fallout from the war and sanctions.
Public debt starts to decline in the Western Balkans
Across the region, the average publicly guaranteed debt to GDP ratio fell from 60.8% of GDP in 2020 to 56.5% in 2021, a World Bank report shows.
