Bosnia & Herzegovina
Parliament of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska passes resolution denying Srebrenica genocide
Bosnian Serb politicians have repeatedly pushed against Bosnia’s state-level legislation, which stipulates that denying the Srebrenica genocide is a crime.
US senators seek closer ties with Western Balkans to combat Russia's 'malign influence'
Members of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations warned of the risk of destabilisation in the Western Balkans since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Bosnian Serbs threaten to secede if UN adopts resolution on Srebrenica genocide
Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik urges MPs to endorse resolution denying the Srebrenica genocide and says Serbs can no longer live alongside Bosnian Muslims.
EBRD announces profit of €2.1bn in 2023
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a significant rebound in its financial performance, recording a robust profit of €2.1bn for the year 2023, up from losses of €1.1bn in 2022.
Southeast Europe urgently recruiting from developing Asia ahead of summer season
One of Europe’s poorest regions is tackling labour shortages by importing workers from as far away as Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
Czech spy agency says pro-Kremlin media ring targets European Parliament elections in several states
Far-right politicians across the EU have been promoted on the Voice of Europe media platform ahead of the European Parliament elections.
Bosnia’s GDP growth slows to 1.7% y/y in 4Q23
World Bank expects annual growth of 2.5% this year, down from 4% in 2023.
Bosnia gets green light for start of EU membership talks
Bosnia has made strong reform progress over the last year, and will start talks as soon as it fulfils conditions set by the European Commission.
Slim hopes of EU enlargement progress ahead of European Parliament elections
EU members are pushing for the start of accession talks with Bosnia at this week’s EU Council, but wider progress unlikely before June elections.
Putin’s biggest fans in Southeast Europe hail election victory
Only the few remaining allies of the Russian president such as Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and Moldovan ex-president Igor Dodon welcomed Putin's victory.
Illiberal axis between Budapest and Balkans threatens regional stability, analyst warns
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban’s close ties with leaders of Serbia and Bosnia’s Republika Srpska have encouraged nationalism and authoritarian tendencies with negative consequences for stability, says paper published by EPC.
European Commission recommends start of accession talks with Bosnia
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Bosnia made more reform progress in the last year than the previous decade.
Western Balkans faces heightened risk of inter-ethnic violence in 2024, US intelligence report warns
Report says local nationalist leaders and external actors could heighten tensions for their own political gains in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Bosnia reportedly to get green light for EU membership talks amid push to meet last criteria
Political tensions and disagreements have blocked key reforms for years, but there is new impetus to pursue EU accession under the current government.
Closing gender gap in workforce could double global growth rate says World Bank
Countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia have a lower gender gap than the global average but only Latvian women have equal legal standing with men.
German foreign minister calls for faster EU enlargement to Western Balkans amid Russia threat
Annalena Baerbock says expansion of the EU to the Western Balkans has become a geopolitical necessity in light of Russia's "brutal imperialism".
Western Balkan leaders commit to accelerated regional cooperation
Albanian PM calls at Tirana summit for fellow Western Balkan leaders to overcome historic conflicts to achieve prosperity.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy seeks support from Southeast Europe at Tirana summit
Ukrainian president and Albanian prime minister warn of Russian threat to destabilise the region.
Western Balkans power sector risks “complete meltdown” warns think-tank
Policy brief from think-tank CEPS says there is an “acute and imminent risk” of collapse due to outdated infrastructure.
Western Balkans to take up to 70 years to catch up with EU
New EBRD report finds low productivity, weak institutions and unfavourable demographics mean convergence may not happen until 2093.