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EXPLAINED: Western balkans | Vintage Vibes

Newsletter: EU enlargement climbs the political agenda

Good morning, I’m Mared Gwyn. Today: An exclusive on Brussels' planned redistribution of Western Balkans funding, why enlargement dominated the opening of Ireland's EU Council presidency, and a preview of the EU budget conference kicking off in Brussels.

Euronews

Explainer: Why Péter Magyar is reluctant to align with the EU on Ukraine

Hungary's new prime minister ended Budapest's veto on Ukraine's EU accession talks in June, but is resisting further progress, citing minority rights, Western Balkans fairness, and domestic political pressures. Here's why he's digging in.

Euronews

Off the Record: Politics, protests and dead flamingos dominate EU-Western Balkans summit

Euronews Europe editor Maria Tadeo provides highlights and analysis from the EU-Western Balkans summit held this week in her signature newsletter Off the Record.

Euronews

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Albania's Edi Rama tells Euronews there is 'no alternative' to EU accession

In a wide-ranging interview with Euronews, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said there is no alternative for his country to EU accession. He also warned about the risks posed by anti-EU forces and “third actors” operating in the Western Balkans.

Euronews

EU tightens migration rules, eyes strategic enlargement in Balkans

The European Union has reached a deal on tougher migration rules that would allow countries to set up so-called “return hubs” outside the bloc, a move hailed by supporters as a practical answer to stalled deportations, but denounced by rights groups as a dangerous step towards offshore detention. Meanwhile, the…

Radio France Internationale

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

Starmer calls Western Balkans Europe’s ‘crucible’ as he kicks off summit

The Prime Minister is hosting leaders from Western Balkan nations as the UK seeks to agree further measures on deterring illegal migrants.

Evening Standard

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Starmer to host Western Balkans leaders as UK seeks to stem flow of migrants

The UK is already working with partners in the region, comprised of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Evening Standard

Home Secretary admits UK has lost control of its borders

Shabana Mahmood says failure to grip the migrant crisis is eroding the public’s trust in politicians

Evening Standard

Cooper to host talks on security and migration at Western Balkans summit

The Foreign Secretary will meet European partners from countries including Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia as well as France, Germany and Italy.

Evening Standard

Peace in Northern Ireland to inspire high-level summit on Western Balkans

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will welcome 15 European ministers to Hillsborough Castle for talks to promote peace, stability and co-operation.

Evening Standard

Antonio Costa urges Kosovo to fulfil EU commitments during Western Balkans tour

During his visit to Kosovo on Wednesday, the European Council president reiterated the crucial importance of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue for EU integration.

Euronews

Former civil servant, 25, denies lying about being GCHQ intelligence analyst

Ifthikhar Alam is also charged with fraud over allegedly lying about being the Cabinet Office’s ‘Head of Western Balkans’.

Evening Standard

NATO chief assures Western Balkans of alliance support and urges flexibility in Kosovo, Serbia talks

NATO’s secretary general, in his first trip to the once-volatile Western Balkans, has underscored the alliance’s “steadfast commitment” to its security

The Independent UK

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Evening Standard

Ex-ambassador to US appointed special envoy to Western Balkans

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Dame Karen Pierce is the ‘ideal person’ to take on the role.

The Independent UK

European Commission chief assures Western Balkans of the bloc's enlargement progress

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reassured the Western Balkan countries that the enlargement of the trade bloc remained one of its priorities

Top News

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.

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The Independent UK

Albania's deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many. But others are confused and angry

Some in the Western Balkans country saw it as reciprocation when the leaders of Albania and Italy announced a contentious agreement earlier this week to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving by sea

Radio France Internationale

EU - Balkan summit opens in Albania with 'greater convergence' on the agenda

Leaders from the Western Balkans and several European countries are meeting for an annual summit in the Albanian capital Tirana, with few concrete decisions expected amid heightened tensions across the region.

Radio France Internationale

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.

The Independent UK

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

Radio France Internationale

European Union approves visa-free travel for Kosovo citizens

European Union parliamentarians on Tuesday gave the green light for citizens from Kosovo to travel freely in Europe without visas from next year. Kosovo, once a Serbian province in the former Yugoslavia, is the last territory in the Western Balkans without visa-free travel to the EU's Schengen travel area.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Migrant Entry Numbers Into Europe Hit 6-year High

The number of attempts by migrants to enter the European Union without authorization reached around 330,000 last year, the highest number since 2016, the EU’s border and coast guard agency said Friday. Almost half of the 2022 attempts were made overland through the Western Balkans region, EU agency Frontex said,…

Al Jazeera

Tensions in north Kosovo – whose agenda does the flare-up serve?

Ethnic fractures in the Western Balkans, including in Kosovo’s Serb-populated area, create trouble for the EU and US.

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