Balkans

Western Balkans leaders meet in bid to speed up reforms for EU growth plan

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TIRANA, Albania — The leaders of five Western Balkan countries met Thursday in an effort to push ahead a European Union plan that promises financial aid and a faster road to membership in return for economic reform. Brussels’ plan calls for 6 billion euros (about $6.5 billion) to be sent to the Balkan states over … Read more

Serbia protests after Croatia’s foreign minister calls Vučić a Russian ‘satellite’ in the Balkans

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BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia on Sunday sent a protest note after Croatia’s foreign minister described President Aleksandar Vučić as a Russian “satellite” in the Balkans. It was the latest spat between the two neighbors, which have been at odds for most of the time since the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Croatian Foreign … Read more

In Russia’s backyard of the Balkans, EU enlargement plans are back in focus

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People hold a banner and Ukrainian flags during a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia. As part of the Western Balkans block waiting for EU-membership, Serbia is caught in a geostrategic rivalry between its Western allies and Russia. Vladimir Zivojinovic | Getty Images … Read more

Serbia’s army proposes bringing back the draft as tensions continue to rise in the Balkans

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BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia should reintroduce compulsory military service, the defense ministry said Thursday, as tensions continue to escalate in the Balkans. The ministry said in a statement that the proposal for service of up to four months is made “in order to increase the defense capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces, through the rejuvenation … Read more

Ukraine gets good news about its EU membership quest as Balkans countries slip back in the queue

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BRUSSELS — Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia received positive news on Wednesday about their quests to join the European Union, but countries in the volatile Balkans region that have waited years longer to become members of the world’s biggest trading bloc appeared to slip back in the queue. In a series of reports on countries wanting … Read more

European Union leaders to hold a summit with Western Balkans nations to discuss joining the bloc

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TIRANA, Albania — Leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans will hold a summit in Albania’s capital on Monday to discuss the path to membership in the bloc for the six countries of the region. The main topics at the annual talks — called the Berlin Process — are integrating the Western Balkans … Read more