Latest News
Brussels Warns Montenegro To Accelerate Reforms
European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has urged Montenegro to adopt constitutional changes to increase judicial independence and to tackle its numerous political challenges.
Serbia’s EU Progress Linked to Bulgarian Minority Rights
A senior official from Sofia has warned Belgrade that further progress towards the EU could depend on the status and rights of the Bulgarian minority in Serbia.
Croatia to Stay Cautious on Adopting Euro
Croatia's deputy prime minister said the country will keep its national currency, the kuna, and not opt for the euro until it has a sufficiently competitive economy.
German MEP Backs Serbia EU Start Date
A German member of the European Parliament has called on EU to grant Serbia a date for the start of EU accession talks.
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Croatia Readies Border Contracts With Neighbours
Bosnia, Montenegro and Serbia are due to agree new bilateral border agreements with Croatia as the country prepares to join the EU on July 1.
Kosovo Celebrates Europe Day From Afar
Kosovo marked Europe Day on May 9 with a public holiday, which is ironic, given that membership of the European Union remains only a distant prospect.
Montenegro Political Crisis Slows Crucial Reforms
Work on constitutional changes intended to increase judicial independence and bring EU accession closer is being hampered by post-election disputes, a top lawmaker said.
EU Tells Croatia to Abandon Famed Prosek Wine
Croatian vintners will no longer be able to market "Prosek" wine because the EU says the word is too similar to the Italian word “Prosecco”.
Croatia Opens New Border Crossings With Bosnia
Two new border crossings between Croatia and Bosnia will ease traffic between the two neighbouring countries as well as meeting EU standards.
Croatia Invites Serbia's Leaders to EU Party
Serbia's President and Prime Minister are among the regional leaders that Croatia has invited to an EU accession celebration on June 30, the Croatian foreign ministry said.
Croatia Shakes up Customs Before EU Entry
As Croatia readies to become the 28th EU member state in July, the customs service faces major changes.
European Leaders Greet EU's Green Light to Serbia
European officials have welcomed the recommendations of the Commission to grant Serbia a start date for accession talks, following conclusion of a landmark deal with Kosovo.
EU Recommends Membership Talks For Serbia
Following the breakthrough deal between Belgrade and Pristina, the European Commission has recommended that Serbia should be granted a start date for EU accession talks.
Opposition Protest in Belgrade over Kosovo Deal
As the government has approved the Belgrade-Pristina agreement on Monday, the nationalist opposition Democratic Party of Serbia holds a protest.
Unemployment Rises Daily in Serbia
New figures show that 500 working-age Serbians are laid off every day - and one economist says the situation will only improve if Serbia continues on its EU path.
In-Depth
Boosting the Balkans’ Progress Towards the EU
Ten years after the Thessaloniki summit, the EU enlargement process for the western Balkans needs an injection of new energy.
Croatia’s EU Benefits Tempt Bosnian Youth
Young Bosnians with Croatian passports will have new opportunities to work in Europe after Croatia joins the EU in July - but some regard this privilege with mixed feelings.
Serbia Mulls Economic Cost of Losing EU Talks Date
Belgrade’s failure to obtain a start date for EU membership talks in June will not cause immediate damage to the economy, but the long-term implication are worrying, experts say.
Brussels Should Not Reward Serbia With Membership Talks
Europe should not offer Belgrade a start date for talks until it offers its own minorities the same privileges it demands for the Serbs in Kosovo.
Far Right Rears its Head Again in Croatia
The recent revival of hate speech, mainly targeting Serbs, presents an unwelcome challenge for the government - and for the country as it prepares to join the EU.
Spring Could Prove Fateful for EU Balkan Enlargement
Three upcoming reports will help determine the EU prospects of Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia; of the three, the latter is causing by far the most concern.
Serbia Eyes Germany With Fear and Hope
In the run-up to a crucial EU decision on opening membership talks with Belgrade, Serbs are unclear which way Berlin will jump.
Britain’s Mindless New ‘Bulgarian Agitation’
The media campaign against Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants plumbs new depths each week. Who would have guessed this country once put Bulgaria on a pedestal?
Balkan Migrants – Social Problem or Straw Man for Germany?
Reports about the number of impoverished migrants from Bulgaria and Romania are alarming Germany - but how accurate are these claims?
The Balkans Face Unique Challenges in Europe
Questions of democratic development are more complex in the Western Balkans than elsewhere in Eastern Europe.
