Montenegro
COMMENT: Full speed ahead with reforms in the Western Balkans rail sector
The region must continue to transform its rail sector to become more eco-friendly, accessible and digitalised.
Croatian president says EU making “false promises” to Western Balkans
Zoran Milanovic says no new members will join the EU except perhaps Montenegro.
Watchdog warns Montenegro's UAE development deal puts EU accession at risk
Environmental groups and sections of civil society have criticised the deal as a potential land grab that threatens natural resources and democratic oversight.
COMMENT: China’s debt-trap diplomacy - lessons from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and beyond
For the nations affected this results in economic dependence on China and often the surrender of strategic assets - or both.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Albania, Montenegro to be first Western Balkan candidates to join EU, European Council president says
Antonio Costa says it's "not fair" for the Western Balkan countries to be overtaken by Ukraine and Moldova.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.
Think-tank urges EU to consider 'Big Bang' enlargement and sweeping reforms
European Policy Centre analysts call on the EU to abandon its piecemeal, hesitant approach to enlargement and commit to ‘permachange’: a permanent state of adaptation in response to cascading crises.
Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents
Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.
Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia
Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.
Montenegro’s parliament speaker urged to resign over nephew's shooting spree from official vehicle
Danilo Mandic opened fire from a parliament car in central Podgorica, injuring two people and raising fresh concerns about gun violence in the Western Balkans.
Montenegro mega beach deal reignites debate over UAE investments in Western Balkans
A plan to develop Montenegro’s Velika Plaza beach has become the latest battleground in a growing backlash against UAE-backed real estate deals across the Western Balkans.
Protesters against UAE beach development deal target Montenegrin parliament
Rally outside parliament in Podgorica as MPs debate tourism and real estate deals critics claim threaten Montenegro's environment and rule of law.
Investment deal with UAE sparks protests in Montenegro
Montenegrins are divided over agreements with the UAE on investments in tourism and real estate development affecting one of Europe's longest beaches.
New study reveals extent of Russian disinformation targeting Emerging Europe
'Pravda network' targeting regions of geopolitical interest for the Kremlin with negative impact on democracy and regional stability.
Western Balkans countries struggle to reverse demographic decline
Governments turn to short-term fixes and immigration push to tackle deepening demographic crisis but shy away from deeper reforms, says OSW report.
COMMENT: Reforms and enlargement must go together for the Western Balkans
If the EU cannot deliver progress in accession, it risks undermining the incentive for countries to continue reforming.
The rise of war-hardened Balkan crime groups in South America’s cocaine market
Global Initiative report reveals organised crime groups from the Western Balkans have firmly embedded themselves in South America’s cocaine trade.
Albania and Montenegro could conclude EU accession talks by 2026-27, enlargement commissioner says
But Marta Kos warns "external forces" actively seeking to block certain countries from EU accession.
Ukraine and Balkans ravaged by wildfires in 2024
Wildfires ravaged large swathes of land across Ukraine and the Balkans, with Ukraine suffering the highest recorded damage of any country in the region, said the EU's European Forest Fire Information System.