Balkans
EU pledges €3.3 billion to Western Balkan countries
The European Commission has announced over €3.3 billion of EU financial support mobilised jointly with the European Investment Bank to the benefit…
2-8 year jail terms for coronavirus quarantine rule-breakers in Albania
Albania amended its penal code on Thursday to punish anyone breaking coronavirus quarantine and self-isolation rules and infecting others with up to…
Western Balkan states request help from EU
The European Union is considering a joint proposal submitted by the Western Balkan states requesting an exemption from the ban on the…
Montenegro introduces lockdown
Montenegro introduced a lockdown on Monday to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected dozens in the small Adriatic republic.…
Balkan countries close border crossings to stop coronavirus
Serbia, Albania and Romania have closed many of their border crossings in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, leaving some…
Balkan cocaine cartel taken down in Montenegro
A large Balkan criminal network trafficking drugs, mainly cocaine, from source countries to Europe has been dismantled in a large international operation.…
Greek – Turkish border – EU border agency Frontex is on ‘high alert’
Greece blocked nearly 10,000 "illegal" entries into the European Union from Turkey on Saturday and Sunday morning, a government official has said.…
von der Leyen defies Macron on the West Balkans accession talks
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s incoming president, has come out in support for accession talks with West Balkan countries, in…
EU’s new foreign affairs chief will focus on Balkans and EU eastern neighbours
The European Union's incoming foreign affairs chief said on Monday he would focus on the Balkans and Europe's eastern neighbours, while urging…
Montenegro sacks Serbian-born football coach for boycotting game between Montenegro and Kosovo
Serbian-born football coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic was removed from his position as Montenegro's national team chief on Saturday after he boycotted the game…
Corporate Dispatch Morning Briefing
Good morning Once again, the morning briefing, leads with death, this time of two women in a traffic accident in Mosta. This…
Widow of late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic has died in Russia
Once dubbed "Lady Macbeth of the Balkans," Mirjana Markovic, the widow of ex-Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic has died in Russia. Her husband…