All the news

Western Balkans, EU integration and cooperation

26/07/2024 -  Gentiola Madhi

"We must go beyond the idea that the Western Balkans are a sort of ghetto made up of non-EU countries. This would contribute not only to the Europeanisation of the Western Balkans, but also to overcoming some disagreements between candidate countries and EU member states". Ana Krstinovska, founder and president of the think tank Estima based in Bitola, in North Macedonia and research fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)

EU cohesion policy, time for reform

25/07/2024 -  Massimo Guglietta

While cohesion policy to support economic development across Europe has not fully lived up to expectations, new research suggests various reforms for how the EU can more efficiently support its poorest regions before the next budgetary cycle

Romania, volunteers for the diaspora

23/07/2024 -  Lola García-AjofrínSebastian Pricop

The Facebook group "RoOmenia" connects tens of thousands of Romanian citizens scattered across Europe, providing concrete help – from housing to medication – and contrasting the loneliness of many expats. An initiative launched by a group of lorry drivers

Early marriages in Armenia

23/07/2024 -  Armine Avetisyan Yerevan

Despite some impediments provided by law, the phenomenon of early marriages exists in Armenia. So much so that a new bill intends to set the minimum age for marriage at 18, without exception, and to repeal all the rules referring to early marriages and underage spouses

Digital security in Serbia: another challenge to media freedom

22/07/2024 -  Serena Epis

Media outlets in the country are increasingly exposed to cyber attacks, online threats and manipulations. We talked about digital security and its impact on independent journalism in Serbia with Bojan Perkov, digital policy coordinator at SHARE Foundation

The battle for the Shushica Valley

22/07/2024 -  Christian EliaNensi Bogdani (photos)

In Albania, when the protection of the Vjosa river and its tributaries seemed almost guaranteed, a project aimed at tourism development has once again called everything into question, threatening an area with a population of over 50 thousand people

Transnistria: when buying time, make sure to use it wisely

19/07/2024 -  Giorgio ComaiBernardo Venturi

Russia’s gas subsidy – a key ingredient enabling Transnistria’s political economy – may remain in place for a couple more years, but its existence is based on increasingly shaky grounds. Chișinău is ensuring its own energy security, but long term stability in Moldova requires solid arrangements also for Tiraspol

Migration management in the Balkans

18/07/2024 -  Massimo Guglietta

Despite various reports of migration mismanagement and human rights abuses in Serbia, the European Commission at the end of June signed an agreement with Belgrade to strengthen cooperation on migration control

North Macedonia, orphans and the future

16/07/2024 -  Aleksandar Samardjiev Tetovo

Ilija Jovanović grew up without parents: an experience that affected him deeply, but also pushed him to commit himself, through the association “Building the future”, to improve the lives of those facing the same situation

Greece, the First Phases of a Mediterranean SuperGrid

16/07/2024 -  Massimo Guglietta

A new project, with the contribution of European cohesion funds, will integrate Crete's electricity system with mainland Greece. The project represents the first phase of the "Great Sea Interconnector", a larger Mediterranean grid connection

Ado Hasanović: Art and Culture in Shaping the Future of Srebrenica

11/07/2024 -  Anna Lodeserto

Ado Hasanović, a director of Bosnian origin living in Italy, interviewed on his way back from Cannes, talks about his next projects, which also directly involve his Srebrenica. An interview

Migrations: Greece and Cyprus: from solidarity to fatigue

10/07/2024 -  Mary Drosopoulos Thessaloniki

Driven by economic difficulties, European public opinions have taken increasingly skeptical positions on migrants and asylum seekers in recent years, an extremely visible phenomenon in "front line" countries such as Greece and Cyprus

Media in Montenegro

10/07/2024 -  Sava Mirković Podgorica

After the dissolution of Yugoslavia and a transition period, in Montenegro - now a candidate country for EU membership - the evolution of the media landscape continued in parallel with the attempts to accelerate democratic developments. Interview with Mihailo Jovović, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper Vijesti

Kosovo, a peace generation?

08/07/2024 -  Arta Berisha Pristina

Twenty-five years have passed since the end of the armed conflict in Kosovo: an entire generation, born during the 1999 war, is approaching adulthood with a heavy legacy, but also strong hopes for the future. Will it be a generation of peace?

Bulgaria, a hub for clean technology research

04/07/2024 -  Francesco Martino Sofia

Also thanks to European cohesion funds, Bulgaria has recently equipped itself with an innovative research centre for clean technologies, to connect the Bulgarian scientific world and help citizens and institutions comply with the new ecological standards

Baku insists on Constitutional change for Armenia peace accord

02/07/2024 -  Onnik James Krikorian Yerevan

The dispute over the modifications to the Armenian Constitution requested by Azerbaijan continues to hinder the normalization of relations between the two countries and the achievement of peace agreements

Bulgaria, human rights violations on refugees

02/07/2024 -  Massimo Guglietta

The case of Abdulrahman al-Khalidi, a Saudi human rights activist, held in the Busmantsi detention center in the Bulgarian capital since October 2021, highlights state inaction and human rights violations when it comes to refugees and migrants

Ljubljana, cutting edge in biotechnological research

01/07/2024 -  Giovanni Vale Ljubljana

A new Slovenian research centre is operational in the capital Ljubljana. It is the Biotechnology Hub of the National Institute of Biology (NIB), created thanks to European funds and inaugurated last February, which seeks to study and provide answers to the environmental challenges that await us

Western Balkans: Europe's future mining colony?

28/06/2024 -  Sanja Mlađenović StevićAleksandar Samardjiev

Are the Western Balkans becoming a mine of raw materials needed for the upcoming “green revolution”? Civil society organisations and many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia answer resolutely: NO! The battle to protect the environment and health continues

Albania: freedom of the press crushed by the weight of politics

28/06/2024 -  Luisa Chiodi

Almost non-existent professional ethics, capture of the media by politics and financial unsustainability are just some of the main issues that make the Albanian media landscape particularly alarming. An interview