Balkan Regional Review

Albania Daily News

Albania Has 2nd Lowest Growth in Region; EC

Summary: European Commission data showed Albania’s economy expanding by 3.6% year-on-year in the second quarter, down slightly from 3.7% in the first. Investment growth slowed markedly to 1.8%, placing Albania ahead of only Bosnia and Herzegovina in the regional comparison despite matching the Western Balkans’ weighted growth average. URL: https://albaniandailynews.com/news/albania-has-2nd-lowest-growth-in-region-ec

EuroNews

PM Rama Endorses Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General: “A Woman of Exceptional Calibre”
Summary: Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Albania’s support for UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh’s candidacy for United Nations secretary-general. He praised her diplomatic experience and ability to bridge differing perspectives, presenting her candidacy as an opportunity to renew the organization. URL: https://euronews.al/en/rama-backs-lana-nusseibehs-candidacy-to-lead-the-un-a-woman-of-exceptional-calibre/

Tirana Times

Albania’s Student Revolt Broadens as Trust in Dialogue Erodes

Summary: University lecturers, writers, artists and parents have joined student demonstrations, broadening opposition to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Allegations of excessive police force have intensified demands for his resignation and weakened protesters’ confidence in government invitations to dialogue. URL: https://www.tiranatimes.com/albanias-student-revolt-broadens-as-trust-in-dialogue-erodes/

Federalna Novinska Agencija

PM Nikšić and Turkish ambassador discuss infrastructure projects and new investments in FBiH

SARAJEVO: The FBiH Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić met today with Turkish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Emin Akseki at the FBiH Government headquarters. URL: https://www.fena.ba/article/1702512/pm-niksic-and-turkish-ambassador-discuss-infrastructure-projects-and-new-investments-in-fbih

Sarajevo Times

BiH Exports exceed 13 billion BAM; Trade Deficit continues to grow

Summary: Goods exports increased 6.3% to 13.4 billion BAM during January–September, but imports grew faster—8.6%—to 24.15 billion BAM. Consequently, the trade deficit exceeded 10.7 billion BAM and export coverage of imports stood at only 55.5%, highlighting a substantial and widening external imbalance. URL: https://sarajevotimes.com/bih-exports-exceed-13-billion-bam-trade-deficit-continues-to-grow/

The Srpska Times

Merz Backs Faster EU Accession for Western Balkan Countries

Summary: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for the rapid accession of Balkan countries to the European Union. “Your accession to the EU is what we want. You can count on Germany’s support and my personal support,” Merz said at the opening of the Berlin Process summit with leaders from BiH, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and self-declared Kosovo in Budva. URL: https://thesrpskatimes.com/merz-backs-faster-eu-accession-for-western-balkan-countries/

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency

Two Vietnamese Provinces Seek Stronger Economic Ties with Bulgaria

Sofia: Participants in a Bulgaria-Vietnam business forum in Sofia on Thursday expressed their desire to deepen business ties and encourage investment between the two countries. The event, which included bilateral business meetings, was initiated by the Embassy of Vietnam in Bulgaria and supported by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry. It was hosted by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). URL: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/1230497-two-vietnamese-provinces-seek-stronger-economic-ties-with-bulgaria

The Sofia Globe

European Parliament criticises Bulgarian government’s weak response to Russian threat in Black Sea

Summary: The European Parliament criticized Sofia’s handling of recent Black Sea shipping attacks and urged Bulgaria to participate fully in NATO’s lower-level anti-drone initiative. MEPs also called for consideration of an EU naval operation and improved regional drone detection. The attribution of the attacks to a wider Russian escalation reflects the Parliament’s position. URL: https://sofiaglobe.com/2026/10/22/european-parliament-criticises-bulgarian-governments-weak-response-to-russian-threat-in-black-sea/

Novinite

Change or More of the Same: Bulgaria Picks a President on Sunday

Summary: Bulgarians go to the polls on Sunday, October 25, in the first round of a presidential election that almost nobody expects to be settled that night. There are 27 tickets on the ballot, the largest field since direct presidential elections began in 1992, yet the race has long since narrowed to three people: incumbent President Iliana Yotova, former caretaker prime minister Andrey Gyurov and Revival leader Kostadin Kostadinov. URL: https://www.novinite.com/articles/241182/Change+or+More+of+the+Same%3A+Bulgaria+Picks+a+President+on+Sunday

Total Croatia

Croatia Lagging Further and Further Behind on Innovation Ranking

Summary: Croatia fell six places to 46th among 139 economies in the 2026 Global Innovation Index and ranked 28th among 39 European economies covered. An academic trade union attributed the decline partly to weak links between universities and business; that diagnosis represents the union’s assessment rather than WIPO’s alone. URL: https://total-croatia-news.com/news/croatia-lagging-further-and-further-behind-on-innovation-ranking/

The Dubrovnik Times

Croatia’s Luxury Cruise Industry Booms as Small Shipowners Generate Nearly €391 Million

Summary: Croatia’s small cruise operators generated €390.8 million in revenue in 2025, an increase of 5.8 percent. The sector also increased tax and social contribution payments, underscoring the growing economic importance of privately operated tourist vessels. URL: https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/20699-croatia-s-luxury-cruise-industry-booms-as-small-shipowners-generate-nearly-391-million

Croatia Week

Two Spanish Navy warships arrive in Croatia

Summary: Spanish frigates Cristóbal Colón and Navarra arrived at the Croatian Navy’s Lora base in Split. Meetings between Spanish and Croatian naval representatives focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and future joint activities. URL: https://www.croatiaweek.com/spanish-navy-frigates-split-croatia-visit/

Pristina Post

Kosovo president sends Hague court law back to parliament
Summary: President Justina Shiroka-Pula returned legislation concerning the Kosovo Specialist Chambers to Parliament for reconsideration. The proposed measures address sentencing limits, imprisonment in Kosovo and presidential pardon powers. URL: https://english.gazetatema.net/kosovo-region/kosovo-president-sends-hague-court-law-back-to-parliament-i347790

Kosova Press

Awaiting president’s decision on Specialist Chambers law, Democratic Party of Kosovo MP has a message for MPs
Summary: PDK lawmaker Ganimete Musliu said MPs should contribute to reconsidering the Specialist Chambers legislation if the president returns it. She emphasized lawmakers’ constitutional obligations as the legislation awaited presidential action. URL: https://kosovapress.com/eng/article?id=87949

EuroNews

UN Security Council to discuss key issues concerning Kosovo today: What does the new UN report say?

Summary: The United Nations Security Council will hold its next meeting on the situation in Kosovo today, with discussions expected to focus on political developments, the security situation, and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. URL: https://euronews.al/en/un-security-council-to-discuss-key-issues-concerning-kosovo-today-what-does-the-new-un-report-say/

Gov.me

Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit opens

Summary: Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić today opened the Berlin Process Leaders’ Summit in Miločer, stressing that regional cooperation, economic integration and European integration are key prerequisites for the long-term stability, security and prosperity of the Western Balkans. URL: https://www.gov.me/en/article/berlin-process-leaders-summit-opens

Vijesti

Kos: We are weeks or months away from the completion of Montenegro’s EU integration process
Summary: EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Montenegro could be only “weeks or months” from completing its integration process and again described it as the region’s enlargement leader. The statement signals strong political support, but completion of negotiations is distinct from formal accession and ratification by every member state. URL: https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/politika/832715/kos–weeks-or-months-separate-us-from-the-completion-of-the-integration-process-of-Montenegro-into-the-EU

Montenegro Herald

EU Enlargement Horizon: When Ambition Meets Veto

Summary: he European Commission presented its long-awaited pre-enlargement policy review on October 6, 2026. The package follows the Commission’s March 2024 communication and the European Council’s subsequent request for in-depth policy reviews. URL: https://politicsgeo.com/eu-enlargement-horizon-when-ambition-meets-veto/

Macedonian Information Agency

EU Ambassador Rokas announces additional €40 million to strengthen country’s military capabilities
Summary: EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas announced another €40 million for North Macedonia’s military capabilities and security. He linked the funding with broader EU support for road, railway, energy and digital connectivity, presenting resilience and regional integration as complementary parts of the country’s accession path. URL: https://mia.mk/en/story/eu-ambassador-rokas-announces-additional-%E2%82%AC40-million-to-strengthen-countrys-military-capabilities

English Republika

“I expect that our reform achievements will be recognized”
Summary: At the Berlin Process Summit in Montenegro, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski urged recognition of North Macedonia’s reform progress and an opportunity to begin EU accession negotiations. He emphasized that gradual integration should support the country’s goal of full EU membership. URL: https://english.republika.mk/macedonia/i-expect-that-our-reform-achievements-will-be-recognized/

Skopje Times

Bulgaria and North Macedonia Health Ministries Sign Cooperation Plan

Summary: BTA’s separate report on the healthcare agreement highlights plans to connect medical institutions and professionals, share laboratory capacity and develop joint projects. Ministers identified prenatal diagnosis and screening for treatable inherited diseases as potential areas for practical cooperation. URL: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/balkans/1227802-bulgaria-and-north-macedonia-health-ministries-sign-cooperation-plan

Tanjug

Twenty-member PACE delegation to observe October 25 elections in Serbia

Summary: A 20-member Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly delegation will observe Serbia’s early election alongside missions from the European Parliament, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and ODIHR. The breadth of international monitoring is significant amid continuing disputes about election administration and campaign conditions. URL: https://www.tanjug.rs/english/politics/291260/twenty-member-pace-delegation-to-observe-october-25-elections-in-serbia/vest

B92

“United Serbia” holds rallies in 150 cities and villages across Serbia; Rally at Sports Hall scheduled at 4 PM

Summary: The “Aleksandar Vučić – United Serbia” electoral list will hold 150 rallies in cities and villages across Serbia today, the final day of the election campaign. One of the rallies will take place in New Belgrade, at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall, at 4 p.m. URL: https://www.b92.net/english/politics/278592/united-serbia-holds-rallies-in-150-cities-and-villages-across-serbia-rally-at-sports-hall-scheduled-at-4-pm/vest

Serbian Monitor

Public procurement reaches €6.5 billion in 2026, with every second contract exempt from law
Summary: Serbian procurement contracts reportedly reached 764 billion dinars—approximately €6.5 billion—across more than 400,000 contracts, with 57% exempt from the Public Procurement Act. The unusually high exemption share raises consequential questions about competition and oversight, although the article does not establish that exempt contracts were unlawful. URL: https://www.serbianmonitor.com/en/public-procurement-reaches-e6-5-billion-in-2026-with-every-second-contract-exempt-from-law/

Slovenian Press Agency

Company behind flagship railway project gets new management

Ljubljana: The state-owned company 2TDK has a new management board following Monday’s early termination of the management mandate. The supervisory board has appointed Marko Pogačnik as director general. He will replace Matej Oset, who remains on the management board of the company that is in charge of the country’s biggest rail infrastructure project to date. URL: https://english.sta.si/3612499/company-behind-flagship-railway-project-gets-new-management

Slovenia Times

Campaign officially starts ahead of November local elections

Summary: Official campaigning is under way in Slovenia’s local elections, which promise to deliver several interesting races in particular in the largest municipalities where incumbents face some formidable challengers. URL: https://sloveniatimes.com/49451/campaign-officially-starts-ahead-of-november-local-elections