Macedonia
France blocks launch of EU membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia
Fears among EU officials postponing the decision on membership talks yet again will increase Russian, Turkish and Chinese influence in the fragile Western Balkans region.
Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia agree to set up "Balkan Schengen" zone
Plans to enable passport-free travel across the three countries by end-2021 in an attempt to facilitate trade and make political relations more peaceful.
Growth already past its peak after Western Balkans’ brief blossoming
Growth has started slowing in most of the Western Balkans economies after an all too brief period of rapid economic acceleration, finds a new report from the World Bank.
Violence against doctors escalates in North Macedonia’s neglected health service
Physical and verbal attacks on medical personnel at state-run healthcare facilities in North Macedonia have soared in the last two years as patients and their relatives turn on doctors over the system’s failings.
Enthusiasm for coal starts to burn out in the Western Balkans
Montenegro, like most of the countries in the EU-aspiring region, derives a large share of its power from coal, but the decision to drop plans to build a new coal power plant is a sign countries in the region could be kicking the coal habit.
VIENNEAST COMPASS: Hungary punching above its weight in regional SEE politics
The incoming president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, took an unexpected decision of nominating Hungarian Laszlo Trocsanyi as commissioner for expansion as Hungary increases its influence in the region