Jasmin Mujanovic

Chancellor Angela Merkel's last trip abroad should take her to the Balkans. The media mention the meeting with the leaders of the Western Balkans in Tirana (September 14), but it is unofficially heard that the Chancellor could visit Belgrade beforehand. There is no official confirmation in Berlin yet.

Rebooting the System

The European union flag flies over the apostolic palace during visit of the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis, Vatican City, 22 May 2021. EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI

But some observers say the duo's appointment is a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. And then there are bigger questions about Washington's credibility in the region.

The Cable

This production of the Transatlantic Democracy Working Group and the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington is all about "the threats to democracy in Europe and the transatlantic relationship, with a particular focus on backsliding countries in Central Europe".

Unholy Ties

The new Moldovan government led by Maia Sandu seems to be one of contradictions. It is in the rather rare position of being both pro-EU and pro-Russian at once by virtue of the parties which comprise it.

Mirjana Markovic in 2001. Photo: Koca Sulejmanovic/EPA.

Mirjana Markovic, the widow of the former president of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, died in hospital in Moscow on Sunday, Serbian media reported.

Markovic is reported to have undergone surgery several times in Russia recently, after which her condition deteriorated. The cause of death was not immediately made public.

Intellectuals, experts and organisations from the Balkans and abroad have signed an open letter calling for the rejection of proposals to resolve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute through a "border correction".

The European Union's acceptance of Bosnia's candidacy application is timed to push forward reforms and ward off questions of stability as nationalist rhetoric escalates, experts say.

Almost 35,000 people in Bosnia lost their jobs in the first half of this year, new figures published by the Agency for Labour and Employment show.

Statistics published in late August reveal that 34,605 became unemployed from January to June, approximately 5 per cent of the total workforce.