Bosnia & Herzegovina
CESEE banks expect credit conditions to tighten and NPLs to rise
With most COVID-19-related support measures having been phased out, borrowers are now being put under pressure by surging inflation and sharply rising interest rates.
EU leaders call for faster enlargement for Western Balkans to counter Russian influence
EU leaders sought to reassure the Western Balkans countries that their future is inside the bloc at Tirana summit.
EU to help Western Balkans curb illegal migration surge
Illegal movements along the Western Balkans routes have significantly increased in 2022.
Foreign investment has transformed Eastern Europe, says wiiw report
Foreign investment will continue to have a vital role to play in the region’s development, particularly now that international companies are rethinking their supply chains.
Moldova attends first Nato summit but says membership is not an option
Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu takes care not to provoke Russia, despite Nato promises of support for Moldova.
European Parliament calls for ‘reenergised’ enlargement process – but only for countries that back Russia sanctions
MEPs want accession completed by 2030 and a majority vote to approve new members, but say accession talks with Serbia should be halted if it doesn’t align with EU on sanctions.
Ukraine faces one of worst declines in GDP from a war, says EBRD
The contraction in Ukraine’s GDP will be among the worst 10-20% of those in conflicts in the last 200 years, the development bank predicts in its 2022/23 Transition Report.
OPINION: Bosnia economic salvage supplants breakup mood
The main message of Bosnia’s October elections was a decisive rebuke for hardliners, with voters seeking practical economic cooperation to raise living standards and counteract mass emigration.
EBRD warns of risk of 'zombification'
Development bank recommends countries should now gradually dial down help to vulnerable companies, so they can either learn to adapt to the new climate of higher interest rates or exit the market by going into insolvency.
EU announces €1bn in grants for Western Balkans, affirms support for enlargement
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and top EU officials stress commitment to bringing six Western Balkan countries into the EU.
Green energy arm of Israeli BIG Holding announces new projects in Bosnia and Romania
BIG Energia Holdings aims to become a leading renewable energy player in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Dodik promises secession for Bosnia’s Republika Srpska at mass rally
Tens of thousands turn out at nationalist rally in Banja Luka where Bosnian Serb leader and Putin ally Milorad Dodik pledged entity would become independent.
Fiscal pressure grows in Western Balkans as region heads into new storm
World Bank urges governments to target support at most vulnerable households and businesses.
Emerging Europe is growing faster than expected this year but will stagnate in 2023, says wiiw
For 2023 the wiiw has revised its forecasts down, and overall Emerging Europe growth will average just 0.3%, barely above the 0.2% predicted for the Eurozone.
Bosnia’s high representative told to explain ‘undemocratic’ changes to electoral rules to European Parliament committee
High Representative Christian Schmidt criticised by MPs from across Europe after he announced changes to the rules on election day.
Commission recommends EU grant Bosnia candidate status despite slow progress
Commission prioritises geopolitical factors over the country's very limited progress in necessary reforms.
Putin’s dwindling circle of friends in Emerging Europe
The number of European countries friendly towards Moscow has dwindled to just a handful since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February.
Bosnian Putin ally’s political future in doubt as vote recount ordered
Mass protests followed Milorad Dodik’s victory in the presidential election in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska, where the opposition claimed electoral fraud.
VISEGRAD BLOG: European family gathering mostly avoids fights
European Political Community isolates Russia, welcomes back UK and reassures EU candidate countries.
First official results from Bosnian elections put nationalists ahead after exit polls predicted losses
Defeat for Bakir Izetbegovic but other leading nationalist politicians like Milorad Dodik appear to be heading for victory with 50% of votes now counted.
