Balkans

As the inauguration of Donald Trump approaches and the political crises in Germany and France unfold, Greece is bracing for a period of geopolitical uncertainty with potential regional implications.

BRUSSELS - The future of the Western Balkans is in the EU, European Council President Antonio Costa said in Brussels on Tuesday evening after an informal dinner with Western Balkan leaders, also attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

"Let's work to make it happen," Costa wrote in a post on X.

In a video address from Brussels, North Macedonia's Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, reaffirmed his country's commitment to EU membership, highlighting the government's focus on implementing reforms and improving living standards for its citizens. Mickoski emphasized that the ultimate goal remains full membership in the European Union.

North Macedonia's President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, expressed her opposition to resolving issues related to what she referred to as the "Bulgarian veto," criticizing the European Union for its lack of a comprehensive enlargement strategy.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with North Macedonian PM Hristijan Mickoski in Belgrade on Friday to discuss strengthening of relations and common initiatives for a more stable future for citizens, as well as economic projects.

BELGRADE - The UK's Ambassador to Serbia Edward Ferguson said on Wednesday now was the right time to develop trade ties between the UK and the Western Balkans and that the volume of trade between the UK and the region had been on a constant increase in the past decade.

BUDAPEST - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the European Political Community Summit in Budapest on Thursday the EU needed to change its strategy on the entire Western Balkans, as well as on Serbia, and make strategic decisions on enlargement.

"I think that we should discuss strategic issues," noted Vucic, who was one of the six main speakers at the summit.

BUDAPEST - On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Budapest, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with several senior officials to discuss the place and the role of Western Balkan states in the global political reality, as well as current issues.

BELGRADE - Hungary will do everything it can to ensure a soonest possible EU accession of Serbia because it believes no long-term stability can be achieved without EU integration in the Western Balkans, Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok said in Belgrade on Monday.

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarovic said on Thursday Serbia maintained significant economic cooperation with BRICS member states, which she noted accounted for 45 pct of the world's population and 27 pct of the world's gross product.

"There is absolutely a place for Serbia in such markets, too," Mesarovic told RT Balkans.