Balkan News

Special organised crime prosecutors in Croatia are investigating allegations of corruption in the latest of more than 20 defections by lawmakers since the current parliament was formed in October 2016. But will they get to the truth? 

Former Bosnian Serb Army unit commander Dragoljub Kunarac, who is already serving a war crimes sentence in Germany, will be tried again for committing crimes against humanity in Foca in 1992.

Croatia’s Supreme Court abolished a decision to separate the war crimes trial of 1990s Croatian general Branimir Glavas from cases against his subordinates, which means crucial evidence against him will still be valid.

Romania's government on Thursday staged the opening ceremony of its European Union Council presidency amid popular protests and renewed calls from EU leaders for the country to respect the rule of law. 

Main Greek opposition party, which opposes the proposed deal with Macedonia, believes Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will nevertheless secure support in parliament for ratification.

Moldova is bracing for a series of important elections this year, which may prove decisive in reconfiguring the political scene and determining the country’s fate for years.      

Forget St Moritz and the Alps. As the ski season unfolds, the Balkans offers a host of its own ski resorts of varying quality – but for a lot less money. 

From gigantic paintings to ancient fortresses, there is much more to Serbia than Belgrade and Novi Sad.

With the New Year’s celebrations behind us, we take a look at what 2019 holds in store for the countries of the Balkans. While the political temperature is set to rise further in some of them, for others the coming year will be more akin to Groundhog Day. 

Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has condemned President Ilir Meta’s refusal to decree his choice for a new foreign minister, which is expected to create a constitutional crisis. 

The state court in Sarajevo confirmed the acquittals of Bosnian Serb ex-soldiers Rade Vlasenko, Drago Koncar and Milan Krupljanin of killing Bosniaks in Prijedor in 1992.

Croatia’s ambassador to Sarajevo was recalled to Zagreb after media reported he was in Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity Republika Srpska for its disputed ‘statehood day’, although he denied attending the celebrations.

Kosovo Liberation Army ex-member Raimonda Rreci said the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague, which is probing wartime and post-war crimes, has asked her to give an interview - the latest in a series of invitations to former fighters.

Macedonia hopes to settle with Greek Hellenic Petroleum over a fresh $32 million lawsuit that the Greek company has raised over an unfulfilled contract for the purchase of heating oil.

The Serbian weekly Vreme has called on the Kosovo Police to investigate a mysterious fire that broke out in their journalists' car during their trip to northern Kosovo.

A tour of the cellars of Cricova reveals much more than a collection of very fine wines – including Vladimir Putin’s private collection and a legacy of Nazi henchman Hermann Goering.

The protest movement in Albania has not achieved all its goals – but those taking part say it has revived their belief in their ability to bring about real change.

Macedonia in 2019 will have no time to spare if it wishes to achieve its ambitious agenda of implementing the historic ‘name‘ agreement with Greece, joining NATO – and starting EU accession talks.

With few issues solved in 2018, and many more inherited, Kosovo will be overwhelmed with uncertainties next year, as the momentum to find a political solution with Serbia increases.

Russia's President is to bestow the Alexander Nevsky award on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, putting him in the company of a number of world leaders not known for their democratic principles.