Balkan Regional Review

Albania Daily News

U.S. Presidential Envoy Joins Albania’s Religious Leaders to Honor Mother Teresa as Bektashi Order Announces Signed American Cancer-Care Partnership

Summary: U.S. Presidential Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli joined Albania’s religious leaders at the Bektashi Worldwide Headquarters in Tirana to commemorate Mother Teresa and the 35th anniversary of the headquarters’ reopening. The Bektashi Order also announced a memorandum of understanding with U.S. biotechnology company ImmunityBio as part of plans to expand advanced cancer treatment in Albania and the Balkans. URL: https://albaniandailynews.com/news/u-s-presidential-envoy-joins-albania-s-religious-leaders-to-honor-mother-teresa-as-bektashi-order-announces-signed-american-cancer-care-partnership

EuroNews

SafeJournalists: Meta must urgently clarify recent restrictions affecting media and public-interest accounts in Albania
Summary: The SafeJournalists Network expressed concern about unexplained restrictions affecting Albanian media, activists and other public-interest accounts on Meta platforms. The statement followed the sudden inaccessibility of Euronews Albania’s Instagram account and Citizens.al’s Facebook page, with the network calling for greater transparency over the restrictions. URL: https://euronews.al/en/safejournalists-meta-must-urgently-clarify-recent-restrictions-affecting-media-and-public-interest-accounts-in-albania/

Albania Daily News

The Balkans Blue Economy Summit, Integrated within the Balkans Sea Fair, is granted the prestigious patronage of MIMIT
Summary: The Balkans Blue Economy Summit, held as part of the Balkans Sea Fair, received official patronage from Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The summit will focus on sustainable maritime development, port infrastructure, technological innovation, Corridor VIII, industrial cooperation and workforce development, with an emphasis on strengthening economic ties between Italy, Albania and the wider Balkans. URL: https://albaniandailynews.com/news/the-balkans-blue-economy-summit-integrated-within-the-balkans-sea-fair-is-granted-the-prestigious-patronage-of-mimit

Federalna Novinska Agencija

OSCE: Public broadcasters must not amplify the glorification of convicted war criminals

Summary: The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media criticized RTRS for broadcasting a commemoration during which speakers repeatedly glorified Ratko Mladić. The OSCE stressed the special responsibility of public broadcasters to provide accurate and properly contextualized coverage and noted that Mladić’s convictions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes were upheld on appeal. URL: https://www.fena.ba/article/1695357/osce-public-broadcasters-must-not-amplify-the-glorification-of-convicted-war-criminals

Sarajevo Times

BiH FM announced the Withdrawal of the Staff of the BiH Embassy from Serbia
Summary: Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković announced plans to withdraw staff from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s embassy in Belgrade, while Ambassador Aleksandar Vranješ would remain because ambassadorial appointments and dismissals fall under the authority of the BiH Presidency. Konaković said the move followed reactions by Serbian officials surrounding the death and funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić and would reduce bilateral diplomatic communication. URL: https://sarajevotimes.com/bih-fm-announced-the-withdrawal-of-the-staff-of-the-bih-embassy-from-serbia/

The Srpska Times

Election Campaign Has Begun in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s campaign for the October general elections officially began, with 3,408,517 voters registered. Voters will choose members of the BiH Presidency and state, entity and cantonal legislatures, as well as the president and vice-presidents of Republika Srpska. The Central Election Commission urged parties, candidates and the media to comply with election law, particularly the prohibition against hate speech. URL: https://thesrpskatimes.com/election-campaign-has-begun-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina/

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency

Vazrazhdane Leader Says Bulgarians Need to Find Their Place in Emerging New Europe of Sovereign Nations

Sofia: Vazrazhdane party leader Kostadin Kostadinov Monday said Bulgarians need to find their place in the emerging New Europe of sovereign nations and European peoples. He was commenting on Alternative for Germany’s (AfD) victory in the elections in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, said the party’s press office. URL: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1199503-vazrazhdane-leader-says-bulgarians-need-to-find-their-place-in-emerging-new-euro

The Sofia Globe

Bulgarian Navy removes drone found near Cape Kaliakra

Summary: A Bulgarian Navy team was dispatched to Cape Kaliakra after a drone was discovered in the area. The military removed the device as Bulgaria continued dealing with a series of drone-related incidents along its Black Sea coast, an issue carrying both public-safety and national-security implications. URL: https://sofiaglobe.com/2026/09/07/bulgarian-navy-removes-drone-found-near-cape-kaliakra/

Novinite

How Bulgaria Won Its Unification Against Everyone

Summary: Published in connection with Bulgaria’s Unification Day, the article examines the political and historical circumstances surrounding the 1885 unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. It recounts how Bulgarian leaders pursued unification despite opposition and uncertainty among the European Great Powers and highlights the event’s enduring significance in Bulgarian national and political history. URL: https://www.novinite.com/articles/240484/How%2BBulgaria%2BWon%2BIts%2BUnification%2BAgainst%2BEveryone

Total Croatia

Much More Than Tourism: Croatia’s New Zagreb-Beijing Connection
Summary: Air China’s new Beijing-Bucharest-Zagreb service is being presented as more than a tourism connection, with Croatian officials expecting it to strengthen business, cultural and diplomatic ties with China. Zagreb Airport officials said the route opens new opportunities in one of the world’s largest markets, while Croatia’s tourism authorities emphasized its potential for long-term economic cooperation and increased Chinese tourism. URL: https://total-croatia-news.com/news/zagreb-beijing-connection/

The Dubrovnik Times

Croatia’s New-Build Property Prices Soar Again – Zagreb Jumps Almost 19% in Just One Year

Summary: New-build housing prices in Croatia have continued to climb sharply, with the national average approaching €3,000 per square metre. Zagreb recorded particularly strong growth, with prices increasing by almost 19 percent over the previous year, adding to concerns over housing affordability and access to newly constructed homes. URL: https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/20494-croatia-s-new-build-property-prices-soar-again-zagreb-jumps-almost-19-in-just-one-year

Croatia Week

Electric fence on Croatian island raises questions over public access to coast

Summary: Croatian authorities ordered the removal of an electrified fence that had blocked public access to part of Vela Čavojnica Bay on the island of Vis. An inspection found that the approximately 1.6-metre-high fence encroached on maritime public domain. The case has renewed debate about private coastal property rights and Croatia’s legal guarantee of public access to beaches and maritime land. URL: https://www.croatiaweek.com/vis-island-electric-fence-beach-access-croatia/

Pristina Post

Kosovo signs deal to join Gaza stabilization force

Summary: Kosovo signed an agreement Monday paving the way for its participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, marking a step toward its involvement in international efforts to support security and stability in the Palestinian enclave. URL: https://www.dailysabah.com/world/europe/kosovo-signs-deal-to-join-gaza-stabilization-force

Kosova Press

Number of visitors to Kosovo rises, here are the countries tourists come from

Summary: The Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS) reported that in July, the number of hotel visitors reached 99,053, of whom 32,098 were domestic visitors and 66,954 were foreign visitors. According to KAS, compared with July 2025, when 77,481 visitors were recorded, the total number of hotel visitors increased by 27.8%. URL: https://kosovapress.com/eng/number-of-visitors-to-kosovo-rises-here-are-the-countries-tourists-come-from

Gov.me

Montenegro takes historic step in fight against organised crime and corruption with Anti-Mafia Law
Summary: Montenegro announced adoption of an Anti-Mafia Law strengthening mechanisms for confiscating assets believed to have been acquired through organized crime and corruption. Under specified conditions and judicial oversight, property may be permanently confiscated even before a final judgment in organized-crime cases, with owners required to demonstrate the plausible lawful origin of assets. The government also linked the legislation to Montenegro’s EU integration process. URL: https://www.gov.me/en/article/montenegro-takes-historic-step-in-fight-against-organised-crime-and-corruption-with-anti-mafia-law

Vijesti

International military exercise in the area of Kolašin, Žabljak, Nikšić and Šavnik

Summary: Vijesti reported on an international military exercise taking place in areas of northern and central Montenegro, including Kolašin, Žabljak, Nikšić and Šavnik. The exercise constitutes part of Montenegro’s ongoing military cooperation and training activities with international partners. The article was listed by Vijesti in its Politics section at 17:49 local time, making it the third-most-recent qualifying political, economic or social item at the time of retrieval. URL: https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/politika/825631/international-military-exercise-in-the-area-of-%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8BKolasin–Zabljak–Niksic-and-Savnik

Montenegro Herald

Joint recommendations advance rights-based digital platforms and media governance in the Western Balkans
Summary: UNESCO-backed stakeholders adopted 197 recommendations designed to improve governance of digital platforms and online media in Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia. The recommendations address platform regulation, algorithms, content moderation, journalistic visibility and disinformation while promoting a rights-based approach to digital-media governance. URL: https://www.montenegroherald.com/article/939411483-joint-recommendations-advance-rights-based-digital-platforms-and-media-governance-in-the-western-balkans

Macedonian Information Agency

Minister Durmishi and Qatari Labor Minister Al-Marri sign memorandum of cooperation
Summary: Economy and Labor Minister Besar Durmishi and Qatar’s Labor Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al-Marri signed a memorandum in Skopje covering labor relations, labor inspections, occupational safety and health, and cooperation in drafting and developing labor legislation. The agreement provides for exchanges of expertise and closer institutional cooperation between North Macedonia and Qatar. URL: https://mia.mk/en/story/minister-durmishi-and-qatari-labor-minister-almarri-sign-memorandum-of-cooperation

English Republika

Arrest of driver who sought bribe proves the will to fight corruption at all levels, Government says

Summary: North Macedonia’s government said the arrest of a government-employed driver accused of soliciting a €1,500 bribe demonstrates its commitment to fighting corruption regardless of an individual’s position. Authorities said the suspect was caught receiving €500 in marked money after the alleged bribery attempt was reported to officials. URL: https://english.republika.mk/macedonia/arrest-of-driver-who-sought-bribe-proves-the-will-to-fight-corruption-at-all-levels-government-says/

Skopje Times

Gas Security Boost: North Macedonia officially joins the Vertical Gas Corridor
Summary: North Macedonia officially joined the Vertical Gas Corridor, with NOMAGAS joining regional gas-network operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia. The initiative seeks to expand cross-border capacity and bidirectional gas flows. The Greece-North Macedonia interconnector is expected to open in 2027, while another interconnector with Serbia is planned. URL: https://www.skopjetimes.com/executive-report

Tanjug

Macut meets with director of French Development Agency
Summary: Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut met French Development Agency CEO Christophe Lecourtier in Belgrade to discuss expanding Serbian-French cooperation in the economy, infrastructure and applied sciences. Macut highlighted France’s participation in EXPO 2027 and said 80 percent of French investment in the Western Balkans is located in Serbia. Lecourtier said Serbia has strong potential to attract additional international investment. URL: https://www.tanjug.rs/english/politics/279264/macut-meets-with-director-of-french-development-agency/amp

B92

Red carpet, Guard of Honor, bread and salt: Vučić welcomes Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Summary: President Aleksandar Vučić formally welcomed Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his official visit to Serbia. Mirziyoyev was greeted at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport with a ceremonial reception attended by members of the diplomatic corps, ahead of talks aimed at developing bilateral relations. URL: https://www.b92.net/english/politics/265586/red-carpet-guard-of-honor-bread-and-salt-vucic-welcomes-uzbek-president-shavkat-mirziyoyev-photovideo/vest

Serbian Monitor

Arguments for establishing a Serbian Space Agency
Summary: The article argues that Serbia’s growing aerospace and high-technology capabilities provide a foundation for establishing a national space agency. Serbian engineers are already developing components for spacecraft intended for deep-space missions, have produced a locally built 3U satellite engineering model in Belgrade and are participating in development of a patented lunar mobility system. The proposal links these capabilities to potential economic, scientific and technological development. URL: https://www.serbianmonitor.com/en/arguments-for-establishing-a-serbian-space-agency/

Slovenian Press Agency

Govt adopts emergency bill to mitigate impact of rising fuel prices

Ljubljana: The government endorsed on Monday a draft emergency bill in response to fuel price hikes, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said, adding that the proposal was aimed at helping the agriculture and transport sectors and protecting consumers from shouldering the price hikes themselves. URL: https://english.sta.si/3595914/govt-adopts-emergency-bill-to-mitigate-impact-of-rising-fuel-prices

Slovenia Times

Slovenia and Croatia taking pragmatic approach to tackle issues

Summary: Slovenia and Croatia agreed a roadmap to tackle bilateral issues in a “gradual and pragmatic” way as Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer hosted his counterpart Gordan Grlić Radman in Ljubljana for the first bilateral visit since the change of government in Slovenia. URL: https://sloveniatimes.com/48890/slovenia-and-croatia-taking-pragmatic-approach-to-tackle-issues