Charles Michel

Former French president Francois Hollande's experience on the International stage is replete with stories. From Putin to Obama or Tsipras, Hollande recorded his memories, with what happened behind the cameras, in a book, which is already a bestseller in France. The former French president spoke exclusively to "TA NEA" newspaper.

On December 6, the EU-Western Balkans Summit will be held in Tirana, according to a post by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel on Twitter, stressing that "the Western Balkans are a key priority for the European Union".

Fighting on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan killed about 100 troops on Sept. 13. 

Armenia said at least 49 of its soldiers were killed; Azerbaijan said it lost 50.

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor has received European Council President Charles Michel’s reply to his letter in which Pahor advocated giving Bosnia-Herzegovina EU candidate status without setting conditions. Pahor’s office said in Friday’s release that Michel underlined his firm commitment to the European path of Western Balkan countries.

Another evening of protests in Skopje against the French proposal to start negotiations for the Republic of North Macedonia for membership in the European Union. Tensions rose after about 30 hooded demonstrators began throwing bombs and hard objects at the parliament building and police officers. 47 police officers were injured and 11 protesters were detained.

Laid to Rest?

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive for a family photo following an EU-Western Balkans leaders' meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 23 June 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

As a lecturer in Sarajevo, I sat through numerous MA thesis defences on Bosnia's European integration process. In the media, countless pundits and academics reinvented themselves as EU experts and made the lecture circuit, explaining the benefits of integration.

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

The Council of the EU has approved Ukraine and Moldova receiving candidate status

Yesterday, the Council of the European Union approved Ukraine and Moldova receiving candidate status.

This was announced on Twitter by the President of the Council Charles Michel.

The meeting of EU-WB leaders lasted more than three hours, and the main topic of discussion was ways to strengthen the region's integration into the EU.
Except for Vui, all leaders of the Western Balkan 6 attended the meeting.

Brussels – Slovenia has produced a proposal to grant Bosnia-Herzegovina EU candidate status as early as at the EU summit next week. Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon will present it to her EU counterparts on Monday at a session of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.