Much to celebrate: Kosovo at 15
As Kosovo celebrates 15 years of independence, a deal that could finally normalise relations with neighbour Serbia is closer than ever. Serb nationalists will do all they can to ensure it fails, however. It’s the most pro-European Union and pro-NATO country in Europe, and yet it is a member of neither. Indeed, its citizens are the…
How being a European Capital of Culture reshaped Bulgaria’s most ancient city
While 2019 saw a massive boost for artists, many long-term challenges remain for Plovdiv’s ambition to become a major European cultural hub. Visit Bulgaria and you will inevitably hear about Plovdiv – a major city in the centre of southern Bulgaria and the country’s cultural heartland. Very few cities in Southeastern Europe have retained their importance throughout…
The last word: Georgia on my mind
The government may have pulled a controversial ‘foreign agents’ law but Georgia’s decline continues. For those of us who adore the country, this is a deep shame.In this week’s column I originally planned to write about the Georgia Investment Forum held earlier this week in London, focusing on the investment opportunities the country offers. But this…
Is new agreement a turning point for Serbia and Kosovo?
The EU and the US must be clear about the benefits that both Serbia and Kosovo can derive if they fulfill their obligations The recent verbal agreement reached between Serbia and Kosovo in Ohrid, North Macedonia obviously represents a positive development in the process of normalisation between the two countries. There are however many obstacles…
EU finally opens its doors to the people of Kosovo
A long standing wrong is righted as the EU agrees to allow Kosovo’s citizens visa-free access to the bloc.Finally. On April 18, the European Parliament voted to remove visa requirements for citizens of Kosovo wishing to travel to the European Union. When the EU’s electronic European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) comes into operation,…
EU relying on ‘ineffective’ Greek body to probe pushback video
The European Commission says it is up to Greece to investigate illegal pushbacks of refugees after the New York Times published video evidence of Greek authorities abandoning people at sea, including a six-month old baby.Such an investigation would involve the Greek national transparency authority — an institution that has been described as politically compromised and…
Turkish voters must not forget Erdogan’s evil deeds
Turkey has the potential of becoming a great regional and global power, but first Erdogan must get out of the way.As the Turkish people go to the polling stations on May 14 to cast their vote for parliament and the president, millions are still haunted by what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has done to their…
Economy in focus: Albania
Albania’s economy enjoyed solid growth in 2022 and the lowest inflation in all of CESEE. With booming construction and tourism sectors, 2023 is set to be another year of progress. Albania has emerged from one of the rockier economic liberalisations in emerging Europe. Enver Hoxha led one of the world’s most isolated communist regimes for…
EU presidency seeks to place kids and families in asylum detention
Internal EU state discussions on asylum reform now include shuffling families with small children into de facto detention along the borders.It is part of a shift towards offloading responsibility on EU states like Italy and Greece, instead of relocating asylum seekers, while at the same time giving those first-arrival states plenty of options to not…