Balkan Regional Review

Albania Daily News

Trilateral Pact Open to Other Countries

Summary: In an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News, Albanian-Croatian Ermina Lekaj-Pfljaskaj, Senior Advisor to the Foreign Ministerof Croatia for the Western Balkans, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, former MP, dwelt at length on joint declaration of cooperation on defence between Albania, Croatia and Kosovo signed on 18 march, 2025 in Tirana. URL: https://albaniandailynews.com/news/trilateral-pact-open-to-other-countries

Tirana Times

Albanian Institute for International Studies Invited as institutional Partner at NATO Public Forum 2025

Summary: The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has been invited to serve as an Institutional Partner at the 2025 NATO Public Forum set to take place on June 24-25 in The Hague during the NATO Summit. URL: https://www.tiranatimes.com/albanian-institute-for-international-studies-invited-as-institutional-partner-at-nato/

EuroNews

What Problems Do Tirana’s Citizens Face Before May 11? Results from the Euronews Albania Barometer

Summary: The Euronews Albania Barometer has released its second round of political measurements for the Tirana District. In this survey, 1,000 residents from across the district were interviewed face-to-face, proportionally distributed among the five constituent municipalities. The data collection took place between March 22 and April 3, 2025. URL: https://euronews.al/en/what-problems-do-tiranas-citizens-face-before-may-11-results-from-the-euronews-albania-barometer/

Federalna Novinska Agencija

U.S.–Adriatic Charter meeting in Konjic – A joint approach to crisis management

SARAJEVO, – The first meeting of the Regional Initiative of the U.S.–Adriatic Charter (A5), under the chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held in Konjic at the level of assistant ministers from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. URL: https://www.fena.ba/article/1623545/u-s-adriatic-charter-meeting-in-konjic-a-joint-approach-to-crisis-management

Sarajevo Times

“HR Schmidt met with Jasmina Hosert, representative of the SPD in the Bundestag”
Summary: High Representative Christian Schmidt met with Jasmina Hosert, a representative of the Social Democratic Party in the German Bundestag, to discuss political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. URL: https://sarajevotimes.com/hr-schmidt-met-with-jasmina-hosert-representative-of-the-sdp-in-the-bundestag/

The SRPSKA Times

“Lav​rov: Moscow Supports Dodik’s Efforts to Protect the Constitutional Powers of Republika Srpska”
Summary: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for Milorad Dodik’s initiatives to safeguard the constitutional authorities of Republika Srpska, reflecting international diplomatic positions. URL: https://thesrpskatimes.com/lavrov-moscow-supports-dodiks-efforts-to-protect-the-constitutional-powers-of-republika-srpska-photo/

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency

Skopje Has No Objection to Including Bulgarians in Constitution but Is Concerned of EU Accession Process Becoming Bilateral, Says Deputy Foreign Minister

Summary: Skopje has no objection to including Bulgarians in the Constitution but is concerned about its EU accession process being bilateralized, Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski said here Thursday. He was speaking at the EU Meets the Balkans forum in Sofia. URL: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/874598-skopje-has-no-objection-to-including-bulgarians-in-constitution-but-is-concerned

The Sofia Globe

Bulgaria to participate in Nato multinational exercise Dacian Spring in Romania

Summary: About 4000 military personnel and 913 technical assets from 10 allied countries, including Bulgaria, are to participate in the Nato multinational exercise Dacian Spring 2025 (DASP 25) in Romania from May 5 to 23, Romania’s Ministry of National Defence said on April 17. URL: https://sofiaglobe.com/2025/04/17/bulgaria-to-participate-in-nato-multinational-exercise-dacian-spring-in-romania/

Novinite

Bulgaria’s Vice President Criticized the Shift in EU Enlargement Strategy

Summary: Bulgaria’s Vice President Iliana Yotova has expressed strong criticism of the European Union’s enlargement strategy, particularly with regard to the Western Balkans. Speaking at the “The European Union Meets the Balkans” forum, organized by MEP Ilhan Küçük, Yotova emphasized that Bulgaria’s bilateral relations with North Macedonia should not be viewed as an obstacle to Skopje’s EU accession talks. URL: https://www.novinite.com/articles/231912/Bulgaria%27s+Vice+President+Criticized+the+Shift+in+EU+Enlargement+Strategy

Croatian News Agency

“Croatian President, Slovak PM Call for More Efforts to Establish Peace in Ukraine”
Summary: Croatian President Zoran Milanović and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met in Zagreb to discuss the political and security situation in Europe, expressing support for increased diplomatic efforts to establish peace in Ukraine. URL: https://www.hina.hr/news/11926735

Total Croatia

Croatian Dalekovod Participates in Huge Project in Sweden

Summary: The Croatian company Dalekovod (more specifically Dalekovod-Projekt) is participating in the most important energetic connection of Sweden as part of a 62 million euro job. As Poslovni Dnevnik/Borivoje Dokler writes, the Croatian company Dalekovod is participating in one of the most important infrastructure projects of the energy transition in Sweden. URL: https://total-croatia-news.com/news/croatian-dalekovod-sweden/

The Dubrovnik Times

“Cro​atia’s First Citizen-Owned Solar Power Plant Launches in Križevci, Powering 50 Homes”
Summary: Križevci has inaugurated Croatia’s first citizen-owned solar power plant, which will supply electricity to 50 households, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy and community involvement. URL: https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/17821-citizen-owned-solar-power-plant-launched-in-krizevci-clean-energy-for-50-homes

Pristina Post

Kosovo Added to EU List of “Safe Countries”

Summary: Kosovo has been included in the European Union’s list of seven countries designated as “safe,” in an effort to accelerate the return of migrants and make it more difficult for citizens of these countries to seek asylum in the bloc, AFP reports. URL: https://www.pristinapost.com/news/803996177/JUT9kgyd7xR8ez81

KosovoPress

“Har​greaves Calls for Urgent Formation of New Institutions”
Summary: British Ambassador to Pristina, Jonathan Hargreaves, urges Kosovo’s political leaders to promptly establish new institutions following repeated failures to constitute the Assembly. URL: https://www.kosovapress.com/en/Hargreaves-calls-for-urgent-formation-of-new-institutions

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Brussels’ Sanctions Backup Plan; Visa-Free Travel Rules Face Overhaul

Summary: The European Union looks set to sharpen its visa suspension mechanism later this year, making it easier for Brussels to revoke visa-free travel for citizens of the 61 countries that currently enjoy it — including all the EU hopefuls in the Western Balkans, as well as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. URL: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-russia-sanctions-workaround-visa-rules-tighten-europe-jozwiak/33383733.html

Government of Montenegro

Business Forum between Italy and Montenegro set for early summer

Summary: Prime Minister Milojko Spajić concluded his first official visit to Rome with a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani, who reaffirmed Italy’s strong support for Montenegro’s European path and the overall progress of the country. URL: https://www.gov.me/en/article/business-forum-between-italy-and-montenegro-set-for-early-summer

Vijesti.me

Spajić: Agreements with the UAE enable investments, 35 billion euros is a conservative figure and could be higher

Summary: Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced that the potential for investments through agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is enormous, that he cannot guarantee, but that more than 35 billion euros could be invested in Montenegro through them. URL: https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/economy-d/754914/spajic-agreements-with-the-uae-enable-investments-35-billion-euros-is-a-conservative-figure-and-could-be-higher

CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

Spajic: This is a vote on economic cooperation between two countries, not a specific project

Summary: Today, Montenegrin MPs are set to discuss two interstate agreements with the United Arab Emirates—one on economic cooperation and another on tourism and real estate development. URL: https://www.cdm.me/english/spajic-this-is-a-vote-on-economic-cooperation-between-two-countries-not-a-specific-project/

Macedonian Information Agency

“Mur​tezani on Constitutional Amendments: Process Will Be Slower Than Six Months, After All”
Summary: Deputy Prime Minister Murtezani stated that the process of constitutional amendments in North Macedonia is expected to take longer than six months, emphasizing the need for thorough deliberation and consensus-building. URL: Read more

Republika

Prime Minister Mickoski met with UAE business leaders

Summary: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski met with a number of potential investors in the United Arab Emirates, who are looking into real-estate and energy projects in Macedonia. The group includes Mohamed Alabbar, owner of Eagle Hills development, which is building the major Belgrade Waterfront project. URL: https://english.republika.mk/economy/prime-minister-mickoski-met-with-uae-business-leaders/

Radio Free Europe

North Macedonia Sees No Issue with Bulgarians in Constitution, But Fears Bilateral Delays in EU Accession

Summary: During the “EU Meets the Balkans” forum in Sofia, North Macedonia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Zoran Dimitrovski addressed ongoing concerns surrounding his country’s EU accession process. URL: https://www.skopjetimes.com/news/804198088/tDldxMnlRPmLeBIv

Tanjug

Chinese ambassador: US tariffs will not impact our cooperation with Serbia

BELGRADE – Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Li Ming said on Thursday he did not expect the operations of two major Chinese companies in Serbia, the Zijin mining company and the HBIS steel plant, to be impacted by US tariffs or Sino-Serbian cooperation to be influenced by the US trade war against China in any way. URL: https://www.tanjug.rs/english/economy/155595/chinese-ambassador-us-tariffs-will-not-impact-our-cooperation-with-serbia/vest

B92

“​The new Government of Serbia was elected; Members took the oath in the presence of President Vučić”
Summary: Serbia’s new government, led by Prime Minister Djuro Macut, was officially sworn in during a session attended by President Aleksandar Vučić. URL: https://www.b92.net/english/politics/121651/the-new-government-of-serbia-was-elected-members-took-the-oath-in-the-presence-of-president-vucic-photovideo/vest

Serbian Monitor

AP: Vučić heading to Moscow despite EU warnings

Summary: The American news agency Associated Press pointed out this evening that the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, “has not changed his mind about his intention” to go to Russia for the Victory Day celebration on 9 May, organized by the authorities of President Vladimir Putin, “despite heavy pressure from the European Union.” URL: https://www.serbianmonitor.com/en/ap-vucic-heading-to-moscow-despite-eu-warnings/

Slovenian Press Agency

“Faj​on Discusses Ways to Boost Economic Cooperation in Baku”
Summary: Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon met with Azerbaijani officials in Baku to explore avenues for enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries. URL:

https://english.sta.si/3417366/fajon-discusses-ways-to-boost-economic-cooperation-in-baku

Slovenia Times

Irregular crossings into Slovenia plunge

Summary: Irregular migrations into the EU have been declining since last year and Slovenia is no exception to the trend. In the first three months of the year the Slovenian police handled 3,876 irregular border crossings, down 60% on a year ago, the latest police statistics show. URL: https://sloveniatimes.com/43208/irregular-crossings-into-slovenia-plunge