Southeast Europe / Opinion
COMMENT: Reforms and enlargement must go together for the Western Balkans
If the EU cannot deliver progress in accession, it risks undermining the incentive for countries to continue reforming.
COMMENT: Could do better? Guardian resorts to tired “whirling dervish” clickbait and stale headline in Turkish “democracy” coverage
When today’s quality newspapers go into the ‘field’, you shouldn’t always get your hopes up.
COMMENT: Turkey's opposition targets ruling regime's illusion of market stability in Nikkei op-ed
Shadow economy minister says economic governance hollowed out with institutions reduced to managing appearances. “What persists is not policy. It is performance art for bond markets,” he adds.
ING: Trump’s Tariffs - Europe’s worst economic nightmare just came true
A US 20% reciprocal tariff on the European Union will hurt. It's worsened the eurozone's short-term outlook. Now, so much depends on European governments to push through with their planned fiscal stimulus and reforms to strengthen domestic economies.
BEYOND THE BOSPOROS: Regime panicky over opposition call for “No shopping day”
English rock band Muse, meanwhile, scrap Istanbul concert in solidarity with Imamoglu protesters.
Emerging Europe risks being “cast adrift” from the West, think-tank warns
Ongoing geopolitical realignment accelerated by Trump’s return to office could plunge Emerging Europe into a cycle of instability and regional conflict, says a paper published by the ECFR.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Damp squib
Turkey’s opposition seriously lacks imagination, as it showed today by moving the Free Imamoglu, Give Us Democracy street campaign to the periphery, much to the regime’s delight.
Istanbul under unprecedented siege, says Turkey’s Nobel prize-winning novelist Orhan Pamuk in Guardian op-ed
Notes: “In my 50 years living in Istanbul, I have not seen as many so-called security measures on the streets as I have over the past few days.”
COMMENT: Jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu writes op-ed for The New York Times
“Democracy’s fate depends on the courage of those who refuse to remain silent when institutions crumble,” he writes from his prison cell.
COMMENT: Europe’s outlook improves as Trump makes Ukraine conflct progress
European leaders are alarmed at the increasingly warm relations between US President Trump and Putin, but economists are encouraged as even a “quick and dirty” ceasefire deal to the Ukraine conflict will buoy flagging CEE economies.
COMMENT: What impact will a raft of protests across the Emerging Markets have?
A spate of protests across several emerging markets is reigniting concerns over economic stability and long-term financial health. From Turkey to Indonesia, social unrest has flared up that threaten countries with weak fundamentals.
COMMENT: Is the EU going to fall apart?
Is the EU about to break apart under the stress of taking over the full weight of supporting Ukraine, the need to rearm and the hundreds of billions that must be invested if it is to become competitive again?
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Imamoglu’s construction company also ‘detained’
Investigators appear to have set out to sell the idea of a web of corruption and misdeeds to the public as they attempt to justify taking Erdogan’s main rival into custody.
COMMENT: Rail and logistics firms bet on Middle Corridor as key Eurasian route
As the Trans-Caspian International Transport route grows in importance, rail operators and other companies have committed to boosting traffic along the route.
COMMENT: Meeting protesters’ demands would improve Serbia’s investment climate
Serbian officials have accused protesters of damaging the economy, but meeting the demands for more efficient institutions and a stronger judiciary would improve the investment climate in the long-term.
OPINION: CEE infrastructure to take centre stage as Ukraine post-war reconstruction looms
The war in Ukraine appears to be drawing to a close and Central and Eastern Europe's infrastructure capabilities – or lack thereof – will soon be thrust into the global spotlight.
Bosnia becomes new proxy for struggle between Russia and the West
Bosnia & Herzegovina is facing its biggest crisis in 30 years with politicians in Republika Srpska, encouraged by Moscow, taking steps towards secession.
OPINION: The EU must bet on nuclear
For Central and Eastern Europe, over reliance on renewable energy for the green transition will compound the already significant challenge of shifting away from a predominantly coal and natural gas based energy network.
COMMENT: The multipolar world has no place for US-Russia imperialism
As the US and Russia collude to revive their cold war dominance, Europe must forge a new path. A revitalised EU could challenge imperial powers and contribute to building a true multipolar order.
COMMENT: Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan create new Eurasian economic hub
A growing partnership between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan marks an important shift in regional economic diplomacy.