Has North Macedonia’s PM backed the wrong side in Bulgaria’s election?
North Macedonia’s prime minister, Zoran Zaev, could have made a tactical blunder in meeting with former Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov on a visit to Sofia.North Macedonia’s path towards the EU appeared to have been cleared in 2018 when it agreed a deal with Greece to end a 30-year dispute over the use of the term…
Macedonians frustrated by slow pace of EU accession, reveals new poll
Unemployment, a lack of Covid-19 vaccines, and the prevailing economic situation are the most pressing concerns of people in North Macedonia, but they are also troubled by a lack of progress towards EU accession.According to major new nationwide opinion poll published by the International Republican Institute (IRI), Macedonians still overwhelmingly support European Union accession but…
Why Belarus is weaponising irregular migration
The government of Belarus is becoming increasingly isolated, sealing its borders with Ukraine and Poland while – allegedly – encouraging illegal migration into Lithuania.Throughout the whole of 2020, there were 81 reported irregular crossings from Belarus to Lithuania.Since the beginning of June this year, there have been over 1,000, according to Lithuania’s prime minister, Ingrida…
As China’s 17+1 forum crumbles, the Three Seas Initiative is increasingly relevant
Both the United States and Germany are increasingly interested in the success of the Three Seas Initiative, which looks set to become the most important forum for regional co-operation in Central and Eastern Europe.Polish President Andrzej Duda, speaking last year at a meeting with the CEOs of stock exchanges from across emerging Europe, said that…
Georgian government’s ‘desire to retain power’: Emerging Europe this week
Central EuropeThe Czech government has backed a memorandum between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and state utility company ČEZ on the construction of a 2 billion euro electric vehicle battery plant which is expected to create at least 2,300 jobs. The EV battery plant, which is a strategic project that will accelerate the transformation of both the…
Frontex set to reduce Greek presence amid abuse probe
The EU’s border agency Frontex may shift some of its resources in Greece towards other regions more in demand.Although not yet confirmed, EUobserver understands that this was discussed between the Warsaw-based agency and Greek authorities. Published by: euobserver.com
Wildfires reveal the limits of Balkan solidarity
Devastating wildfires have engulfed large swaths of land across the Balkan peninsula, with most countries in the region affected. While multiple Balkan states have offered each other assistance, the natural disaster has also put the spotlight on the persistent hesitancy of some nations to set aside their differences in times of crisis.Although not given the…
Ukraine’s Crimea Platform: A small but welcome step in the right direction
The Crimea Platform – held by Ukraine on the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence – demonstrated that the world has not forgotten about Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea – but also highlighted the international community’s ongoing inability to do anything about it.It has been over seven years since the first Russian troops poured out…
EU states need to step up rescues, says EU commissioner
The European Commission says national capitals need to increase migrant rescue missions, following the 14 June sinking of a fishing trawler off Greece that likely drowned over 500 people.”Member states should step up on search and rescue. It is their core responsibility and they must take it,” said EU migration commissioner, Ylva Johansson, on Wednesday…
Albania’s EU hopes caught in crossfire of Bulgaria-North Macedonia dispute
Since 2020, Bulgaria has been vetoing the start of North Macedonia’s EU accession talks. Albania, a country with strong and widespread support for EU integration, has been caught in the crossfire.Relations between North Macedonia and Bulgaria hit a new low last year, when their longstanding dispute over language and national identity resulted in Sofia vetoing…