The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 22 August to 29 August 2024.
Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
Serbia – 29 August 2024
French President Emmanuel Macron has begun a landmark state visit to Serbia with the signing of an agreement on the purchase of 12 Rafale multipurpose fighter jets; see here.
Croatia – 29 August 2024
Croatia’s Minister of Finance, Marko Primorac, confirmed at a press conference today following a government meeting that a property tax is set to be introduced; see here.
Kosovo – 28 August 2024
Months before the next parliamentary election, PM Kurti's government has almost doubled the minimum wage to 2 euros an hour, or 350 euros a month for a full-time job; see here.
Balkans – 28 August 2024
Purchase of the International Free Port currently owned by the EBRD is seen as a strategic move that could boost Romania's role in the region's economy – and create a hub for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine; see here.
Kosovo – 27 August 2024
Experts fear a ‘presidential’ commission for truth and reconciliation in Kosovo will not enjoy the required independence from political influence or legitimacy among all ethnic communities; see here.
Bosnia/Serbia – 26 August 2024
The death toll from the sinking of a migrant boat in the Drina river on the Bosnia-Serbia border has risen to 12. Local residents found another body on Saturday; see here.
Balkans – 26 August 2024
Comment – The head of the CIA only comes if there is a looming war in the Balkans; see here.
Serbia – 26 August 2024
After singer Severina Vuckovic said she faced a long interrogation on the Serbian border over her stances on various issues, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic appeared to confirm that Belgrade has lists of public figures considered politically problematic; see here.
Balkans – 26 August 2024
While primarily preoccupied with finding solutions to the crisis in the Middle East and frequently travelling to the region, CIA chief and ambassador William Burns paid a surprise and unannounced visit to several Balkan capitals and spoke with their leaders; see here.
Serbia – 23 August 2024
In an effort to both decarbonize and break away from China, the European Union is turning to neighbours in the Balkans region for minerals needed in the transition; see here.
Serbia – 23 August 2024
Serbia is set to reverse a 35-year ban on building nuclear power plants, marking a major shift in its energy policy; see here.
North Macedonia – 22 August 2024
North Macedonia becomes the 16th country to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents, also known as the Tromsø Convention; see here.