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The Latest Breaking News from Western Balkan

Trade imbalance: How do EU membership contenders stack up against the bloc?

EU trade with the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova has soared past €80bn a year, but the balance tilts heavily towards the bloc — underscoring how deep integration is not yet bringing the economies into alignment.

Euronews

Is the risk of ‘brain drain’ overlooked in the EU’s enlargement process?

The EU’s enlargement process risks deepening a “brain drain” in the Western Balkans as skilled workers from newer members may migrate looking for opportunities. Experts say targeted measures must be put in place.

Euronews

Western Balkans leaders meet in London for talks on migration and security

Leaders of six Western Balkan nations are meeting British and European officials in London on Wednesday

The Independent UK

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Kallas warns Albania of complex reforms but says its future is in the EU

Brussels decided in 2020 to start full membership negotiations with Albania, and talks began last October on how the Western Balkan country aligns with the EU in its fundamental principles.

Euronews

EU stays on the sidelines over migrant deal between Italy and Albania

A top European Union official has refused to be drawn on an opinion of an agreement between Italy and Albania to process some migrants in centers set up in the tiny Western Balkan country, saying only that it was being closely monitored

The Independent UK

Italy says Russia or China could gain influence in Western Balkans if EU dream fails

Italy’s foreign minister has voiced strong support for Western Balkan countries’ European Union accession bids, saying that otherwise the region could swing towards Russia or China

The Independent UK

Balkan countries swelter in early summer heat wave with people warned to take extra care

Authorities in Western Balkan countries are warning citizens to be cautious, drink water and avoid sunshine as an early heat wave this summer gripped the region, sending temperatures soaring to nearly 40 degrees Celsius

The Independent UK

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World Bank Forecasts Growth In Western Balkan Economies

World Bank report highlights positive economic growth in Western Balkans, emphasizing need for sustained reforms for continued development.

Top News

Albania turns Soviet-era air base into regional NATO air operations hub

NATO member Albania on Monday inaugurated a refurbished Soviet-era air base, the alliance's first in the Western Balkan region. It comes amid rising tensions in southeast Europe over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Radio France Internationale

EU chief says investment plan for Western Balkan candidate members will require reforms

The European Commission’s top official says a decade-long investment package for Western Balkan countries that are seeking to join the bloc could vastly improve the region's economy

The Independent UK

Western Balkans' integration into EU in focus at Albania summit

French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Albania on Monday to attend the latest Berlin Process Summit, focusing on closer cooperation between the European Union and the Western Balkan countries. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Brussels is eager to strengthen its ranks, but significant barriers remain.

Radio France Internationale

European Union leaders to hold a summit with Western Balkans nations to discuss joining the bloc

Leaders from the European Union and the Western Balkans will hold an annual summit in Albania’s capital to discuss the path to membership in the bloc for the six countries of the region

The Independent UK

Germany unveils immigration reform plan to tackle labour shortages

Germany on Wednesday unveiled draft reforms on immigration, skills training and promoting immigration from Western Balkan countries, a bid by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government to plug labour shortages in Europe's largest economy.

Reuters

Germany promises to help get North Macedonia 'out of the rain'

Progress towards European Union membership is the only way to counter Russian influence in the Western Balkan region, North Macedonia's foreign minister said after talks on Thursday with his German counterpart, who promised support.

Reuters

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Reuters

EU seeks to reassure Western Balkans on accession amid fears of Russia influence

A summit of European Union and Western Balkan leaders yielded few concrete steps on the region's future in the wealthy EU but offered it hope for some progress next week, amid a better atmosphere in talks than previously.

Radio France Internationale

EU leader tours Western Balkans and Serbia to seek more influence

The European Union is in the midst of yet another goodwill trip through the Western Balkans to drum up support for the bloc and to make sure that Europe's historical tinderbox is not about to pick the side of hostile Russia or strategic rival China in the world of geopolitics.

The Independent UK

EU revisits Balkans to win friends, seek more influence

The European Union is in the midst of yet another goodwill trip through the Western Balkans to drum up support for the 27-nation bloc

The Independent UK

EU expanding border guard presence along busy Balkan route

The European Union is expanding the presence of its border protection agency Frontex to North Macedonia to strengthen international policing of an increasingly popular migration route in the Western Balkans

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Reuters

Germany extends checks at Austrian border as migrant numbers rise

Germany is extending border checks at crossings from Austria for six months from November given a recent rise in the number of migrants arriving via the Western Balkans route, German interior minister Nancy Faeser said on Tuesday.

Reuters

Central European leaders pledge new measures to stem flow of migrants to EU

The leaders of Hungary, Serbia and Austria pledged new measures on Monday to contain the flow of illegal migrants into the European Union through the Western Balkans, as border control forces become increasingly strained.

Tribune News Service

Scholz, Macron vow more Ukraine aid, closer defense cooperation

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine while strengthening the European Union and announced a special summit to discuss bids by Western Balkan countries to join the bloc.

Reuters

EU must support Western Balkans membership to secure peace - Scholz

The European Union must support the Western Balkan countries in their bid to join the bloc as soon as possible as part of its strategy to secure regional peace, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.

The Independent UK

Borrell: EU to help Western Balkans' war-affected economies

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has said the bloc would support the Western Balkan countries to overcome the economic crisis caused by Russia's war on Ukraine

The Independent UK

EU's Borrell says Western Balkans' accession a priority

The European Union’s foreign policy chief has reaffirmed the 27-country bloc’s desire to integrate the Western Balkans, saying it’s a “strategic priority.”

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