Latest News
Serbia’s EU Hopes ‘Depend on Reforms and Kosovo’
EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele said that Serbia had to implement reforms and normalise relations with Kosovo in order to secure a start date for accession talks.
Romania, Bulgaria Rebuffed from Schengen Zone
The European Union has again postponed a decision on Romania's and Bulgaria's accession to the passport-free Schengen zone.
Serbia, Croatia to Tackle War Crimes, Missing Persons
Belgrade and Zagreb will set up a commission to deal with unresolved issues like war crimes investigations, but they won't be addressing their rival allegations of genocide yet.
Slovenia PM-Designate Backs Croatia EU treaty
New leader of Slovenia says her country will not stand in the way of Croatia’s membership of the European Union.
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Croatia Schedules First European Elections
Croats will elect their first 12 MEPs on April 14, President Ivo Josipovic announced on Friday.
EU's Sannino Presses Bosnia on Rights Ruling
The EU Enlargement Commissioner said Bosnia needs to meet its obligations under the EU road map, especially in connection with the Sejdic-Finci ruling.
Sannino Discusses Bosnia's EU Aims With Republika Srpska
On a two-day visit to Bosnia, the European Commission’s Director General for Enlargement, Stefano Sannino, met top officials of the Republika Srpska in Banja Luka.
Serbia Can Expect 'Conditional' EU Talks Start Date
Brussels is likely to reward Serbia for normalising relations with Kosovo with a 'conditional' start date for accession talks, sources told Balkan Insight.
Serb Officials Travel to Secure EU Start Date
As Brussels readies to decide on whether to grant Serbia a start date for EU accession talks, Serbian officials are heading to EU capitals to muster support.
UK No 'Soft Touch' for Bulgarians, Romanians
UK Immigration Minister says Britain will not be a "soft touch" for migrants from Bulgaria and Romania once the remaining curbs on working in Britain expire.
EU Demands Bosnia Ethnic Rights Solution
During a week of meetings, EU officials urged Bosnian politicians to move forward towards ending electoral discrimination by allowing minorities to run for top positions.
EU Parliamentarians Urge Serbia Membership Talks
EU accession talks with Serbia should start without delay, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament said on Thursday.
Failed EU Bid Left Albania Elite 'Unfazed', Expert Says
A visit by EU Commissioner Stefan Fule to Tirana has not caused much reflection among the political elite about Albania’s stalled EU integration process, a local expert says.
UK Govt Split on Romanian, Bulgarian Migrants
Official talk of restricting the rights of Bulgarians and Romanians to claim benefits in Britain next year has the governments junior party worried.
European Socialists Renew Call for EU Enlargement
Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have issued a call for a renewed EU commitment to the Western Balkan enlargement process.
In-Depth
German Parties Mull Line on Serbia-EU Talks
While the Bundestag is likely to back offering Serbia a start date for EU talks in June, some differences remain between the ruling and opposition parties on the issue.
Kosovo Won’t Dominate Serbia’s EU Accession Talks
Although Kosovo has overshadowed Serbia’s EU agenda till now, the real task ahead will be harmonising Serbian laws and economy in 25 fields, Milica Delevic, former head of parliament’s EU integration committee, says.
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?
