Balkan Regional Review

Albania Daily News

Albania’s Parliamentary Elections Competitive and Well Run but Lacked Level Playing Field, International Observers Say

Summary: International observers have noted that while Albania’s parliamentary elections were competitive and well-administered, there were concerns about the lack of a level playing field for all political parties. URL: https://www.albaniandailynews.com/news/albania-s-parliamentary-elections-competitive-and-well-run-but-lacked-level-playing-field-international-observers-say:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Tirana Times

Albania signs €1bn deal with Italy and UAE on renewable energy, new undersea connection

Summary: Albania has signed a €1 billion agreement with Italy and the United Arab Emirates focusing on renewable energy projects and the development of a new undersea connection, marking a significant step in regional energy collaboration. URL: https://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=155945:contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

RTSH

Manastirliu Meets Greek Counterpart to Discuss Higher Education

Summary: In a social media post, Minister Manastirliu emphasized that the main focus of the meeting was on exchanging experiences between the education systems of the two countries. They also discussed strengthening cooperation in the field of higher education between Albania and Greece. URL: https://rti.rtsh.al/article/manastirliu-meets-greek-counterpart-to-discuss-higher-education

EuroNews

“Toward a Fourth Term”: DW Says Albania’s Socialists Secure Historic Victory

Summary: German media outlet Deutsche Welle has dedicated a report to Albania’s May 11 elections, noting that with the majority of votes counted, Prime Minister Edi Rama is firmly on track for a fourth term in office. URL: https://euronews.al/en/toward-a-fourth-term-dw-says-albanias-socialists-secure-historic-victory/

Federalna Novinska Agencija

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom David Lammy Arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina for an official visit, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss regional security matters. URL: https://www.fena.ba/article/1334566/minister-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-united-kingdom-david-lammy-arrived-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina:contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Sarajevo Times

Costa to EUFOR Troops: Operation Althea Essential for BiH and the Entire Region

Summary: Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa addressed EUFOR troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the importance of Operation Althea for regional stability and security. URL: https://sarajevotimes.com/costa-to-eufor-troops-operation-althea-essential-for-bih-and-the-entire-region/:contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

The SRPSKA Times

Zovko: BiH FM Undermining BiH’s Constitutional Order, Schmidt Lacks Legitimacy

Summary: Croatian Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko criticized Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković for actions perceived as undermining the country’s constitutional order, and questioned the legitimacy of High Representative Christian Schmidt. URL: https://thesrpskatimes.com/zovko-bih-fm-undermining-bihs-constitutional-order-schmidt-lacks-legitimacy/:contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}

Bulgarian Telegraph Agency

Government, Political Leaders React to President’s Proposal for Euro Referendum

Summary: MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski criticized President Rumen Radev’s proposal for a referendum on euro adoption as untenable, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the issue. URL: https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/887521-government-political-leaders-react-to-president-s-proposal-for-euro-referendum:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

The Sofia Globe

Bulgarian PM Welcomes Speaker’s Refusal to Hold Vote on President’s Proposed Referendum on Euro

Summary: Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov expressed support for National Assembly Speaker Natalia Kiselova’s decision not to hold a vote on President Rumen Radev’s proposed referendum on euro adoption. URL: https://sofiaglobe.com/2025/05/13/bulgarian-pm-welcomes-speakers-refusal-to-hold-vote-on-presidents-proposed-referendum-on-euro/:contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Novinite

President Radev: Bulgaria Marches Toward the Eurozone, but Away from Democratic Europe

Summary: President Rumen Radev commented on Bulgaria’s path toward eurozone membership, expressing concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory. URL: https://www.novinite.com/articles/232200/President+Radev%3A+Bulgaria+Marches+Toward+the+Eurozone%2C+but+Away+from+Democratic+Europe:contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

Croatian News Agency

HT workers protest: We won’t be cheap labour for foreign multinationals

Summary: Employees of Hrvatski Telekom (HT) staged a protest, voicing concerns over being undervalued and exploited by foreign multinational corporations. URL: https://www.hina.hr/news/ht-workers-protest-we-won-t-be-cheap-labour-for-foreign-multinationals/1334569:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Total Croatia

25 Million Euro New Road to be Constructed in Zagreb

Summary: A brand new 25 million euro road is set to be constructed in Zagreb this summer, which will eventually form an entirely new traffic corridor. As Poslovni Dnevnik/VL/Hana Ivkovic Simcic writes, this summer, the construction of the extended Ulica Rudolfa Kolaka will begin. URL: https://total-croatia-news.com/news/new-road-zagreb/

The Dubrovnik Times

Trade War Between U.S. and China Could Indirectly Impact Croatian Economy

Summary: Escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China may have indirect effects on Croatia’s economy, particularly through its connections with key European markets. URL: https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/17916-trade-war-between-u-s-and-china-could-indirectly-impact-croatian-economy:contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}

Pristina Post

Kosovo president: Europe is our identity

Summary: Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani has reaffirmed her country’s European path, calling Europe “our identity” as she accepted the Coudenhove-Kalergi Prize in Vienna, two decades after the award was given to Kosovo’s founding leader, Ibrahim Rugova. URL: https://www.pristinapost.com/news/812204986/GdjyHUyCWIE1wZ_u

KosovoPress

Prime Minister Kurti Meets EU Officials to Discuss Integration

Summary: Prime Minister Albin Kurti held meetings with EU representatives to discuss Kosovo’s progress on reforms and its path towards European Union integration. URL: https://www.kosovapress.com/en/prime-minister-kurti-meets-eu-officials-to-discuss-integration/:contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Kosovo and Serbia Leaders Meet in Brussels Amid Tensions

Summary: Leaders from Kosovo and Serbia met in Brussels for EU-mediated talks, aiming to ease recent tensions and advance normalization efforts. URL: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbia-leaders-meet-brussels-tensions/32567890.html:contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}

Government of Montenegro

Montenegro Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement Between India and Pakistan

Summary: Deputy Prime Minister Ivanović expressed Montenegro’s support for the immediate ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, commending the statesmanship demonstrated by both governments. URL: https://www.gov.me/en/news/ivanovic-statement-on-india-pakistan-ceasefire:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Vijesti.me

US Ambassador to NATO Urges Allies to Increase Defense Spending

Summary: US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, called on allies to invest more in the defense industry, emphasizing the need for a capable army to respond to various threats and challenges. URL: https://en.vijesti.me/world-a/globus/758426/us-ambassador-to-nato-calls-on-allies-to-invest-more-in-defense:contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

Russia and Montenegro – Two Countries, One Soul

Summary: The charge d’affaires of the Montenegrin Embassy to the Russian Federation emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between Russia and Montenegro, stating that the path paved long ago must not be lost despite current challenges. URL: https://www.cdm.me/english/russia-and-montenegro-two-countries-one-soul-says-charge-daffaires-of-the-montenegrin-embassy-to-the-russian-federation/:contentReference[oaicite:40]{index=40}

Macedonian Information Agency

European integration, trade cooperation in focus of Mucunski’s working visit to Sweden

Summary: As part of a working visit to Stockholm, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, has met with Sweden’s Minister for European Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz. Talks focused on the country’s European integration process, Sweden’s support in the process, as well as the country’s reform processes. URL: https://mia.mk/en/story/european-integration-trade-cooperation-in-focus-of-mucunskis-working-visit-to-sweden

Republika

Mickoski: our goal is to learn to win in Washington, Brussels, Berlin, Paris

Summary: Joining the EU was and remains our goal, but unfortunately we are the only country in Europe that does not face challenges based on our achievements or criteria that are applied to other countries, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski during the Macedonia 2025 conference. URL: https://english.republika.mk/macedonia/mickoski-our-goal-is-to-learn-to-win-in-washington-brussels-berlin-paris/

Skopje Times

The interlocutors discussed opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Armenia and North Macedonia.

Summary: On May 13, within the framework of his working visit to Luxembourg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia Timčo Mucunski. URL: https://www.skopjetimes.com/news/812255053/fAUDR0wog5QQFnoO

Tanjug

Macut, Japanese Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Relations, Cooperation

Summary: Serbian official Macut met with the Japanese ambassador to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and exploring avenues for cooperation between Serbia and Japan. URL: https://www.tanjug.rs/english/politics/53313/macut-japanese-ambassador-discuss-bilateral-relations-cooperation/vest:contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

B92

Chaos at the Issuing of Passports; The Ministry of Interior Announced: We Are Doing Our Best…

Summary: Long queues have formed in front of police stations in Belgrade municipalities due to the issuance of new personal travel documents ahead of the summer season. URL: https://www.b92.net/english/news/society.php?yyyy=2025&mm=05&dd=12&nav_id=114567:contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Serbian Monitor

Serbia officially dropped from EU enlargement projections

Summary: In recent days, we’ve once again witnessed a flurry of rash reactions and criticism surrounding certain aspects of the visit to Serbia by the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Maroš Šefčovič. URL: https://www.serbianmonitor.com/en/serbia-officially-dropped-from-eu-enlargement-projections/

Slovenian Press Agency

Algerian president in Slovenia to discuss cooperation

Summary: Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is expected in Slovenia on Tuesday. Accompanied by a strong business delegation, economic cooperation will be in focus of his meetings with the country’s top officials, including President Nataša Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob. URL: https://english.sta.si/3425020/algerian-president-in-slovenia-to-discuss-cooperation:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Slovenia Times

Slovenia and Algeria extend gas supply deal

Summary: Slovenia and Algeria have extended by two years an agreement on the supply of natural gas under which Slovenia gets between a third and half of the gas it needs from the North African country. The agreement was signed on 13 May by Geoplin, Slovenia’s largest energy trader, and Algerian state-owned Sonatrach. URL: https://sloveniatimes.com/c/politics/slovenia-and-algeria-extend-gas-supply-deal:contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}