Juncker: EU should stand united on Western Balkans (N1)
The European Union has to take a united stand on the Western Balks or others will shape its neighbourhood, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned on Wednesday. “We must find unity when it comes to the Western Balkans – once and for all. Should we not, our immediate neighbourhood will be shaped by others,” he […]
Read More →British Parliament launches inquiry into “UK and Balkans”
The International Relations Committee of the British Parliament has launched its inquiry into the UK and the Balkans. Beta is reporting this on Tuesday, citing a statement published on the parliament’s website that noted the inquiry would have “a particular focus on the UK’s approach to the region beyond Brexit.” The announcement noted that “since […]
Read More →US analysts: Trump has no plan for Balkans, EU is running out of “carrots” (InSerbia)
The new US administration has not yet formulated a policy towards the Western Balkans, and the European Union is running out of “carrots” to motivate the Balkan countries in the implementation of reforms, and again European integration, with Russian obstructions, still remains the best way for the region – US analysts said on Monday on […]
Read More →“Region’s EU accession process has changed” (B92)
Croatia’s EU accession marked the end of one accession model, Regional Cooperation Council Secretary-General Goran Svilanovic said on Thursday. The process is now completely different for Western Balkan states due to the circumstances in the region and the EU itself, such as the economic crisis, migration and Brexit, he said. “Europe must define itself first,” […]
Read More →This Is Why Balkan States Fear Brexit Could Kill Off Their EU Dreams (BuzzFeed)
From the refugee crisis to security threats, Europe’s biggest challenges pass through the Western Balkans. But officials worry that Brexit will see the EU turn inwards just as Russia’s influence in the region is on the rise. “Serbia will join the EU during Turkey’s presidency” is a running joke in Belgrade. But the growing sense […]
Read More →EU leaders tell Balkan states accession talks to go on despite Brexit (Reuters)
European Union leaders on Monday sought to reassure Balkan nations that talks on their becoming members of the bloc would continue despite Britain’s vote to leave the union. French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini held a meeting with Balkan leaders in Paris during which they underlined […]
Read More →UNMIK Headlines 30 June
• EC urges Kosovo to ratify demarcation agreement soon (Tribuna)
• Montenegro sends note of protest to Kosovo (Kosovapress)
• “Assembly should create commission for verification of demarcation” (Epoka)
• Delawie: Political violence made Kosovo’s participation at international institutions impossible (Epoka)
• “Britain was a great ally of Kosovo in EU” (Zëri)
• Prosecution does not investigate violations identified by auditor (Koha)
What The EU Must Do Now (Koha Ditore/Project Syndicate)
The paper runs an editorial by Anders Åslund is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, and the author, most recently, of Ukraine: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It. The United Kingdom’s Brexit vote is arguably the greatest disaster ever to hit the European Union. Now, the EU must act fast […]
Read More →The Meaning of Brexit (Koha Ditore/Project Syndicate)
The paper runs an editorial by Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Sustainable Development, Professor of Health Policy and Management, and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Sachs is also Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The Brexit vote was a triple protest: against surging immigration, City of London bankers, and European […]
Read More →UNMIK Headlines 27 June
• “Brexit doesn’t threaten visa liberalisation” (Zëri)
• Ruling coalition lacks votes for demarcation agreement (Koha)
• Thaçi: Spain will soon recognize Kosovo (Koha/Kosova Sot)
• Krasniqi: Dialogue with Serbia must be stopped (Epoka e Re)
• “With protests, against colonization” (Zëri)
• Lazar monument erected in Mitrovica North (Kosovapress)