Southeastern Europe

On the occasion of the executive order of the President of the USA, Joseph Biden, on the expansion of emergency measures in the Western Balkans, the officials in Brussels say that the EU has its obligations towards partners in the region, and that sanctions are not part of the current European policy in the Western Balkans.

"The European perspective continues to be a major driver of change in the Western Balkan countries and young people and the civil society in these countries play a key  role in this process," said caretaker Foreign Minister Svetlan Stoev on Tuesday.

Brussels – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described today’s meeting with President Borut Pahor ahead of Slovenia’s presidency of the Council of the EU as very constructive, saying she appreciated “the enormous energy with which the presidency will work on the resilience and recovery of the European Union after this heavy pandemic”.

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

Tirana – The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Austria and the Czech Republic, Anže Logar, Alexander Schallenberg and Jakub Kulhanek, stressed the role of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans as they met senior Albanian officials in Tirana on Sunday, a day after visiting neighbouring North Macedonia.

Skopje – Foreign minister of Slovenia, Austria and the Czech Republic, Anže Logar, Alexander Schallenberg and Jakub Kulhanek, expressed support to North Macedonia’s EU path at a working visit to the country on Saturday. Macedonian FM Bujar Osmani thanked for their support and called for EU accession talks to start as soon as possible.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has summoned Croatian ambassador to Sofia, Jasna Ognjanovac, for talks after harsh criticism directed at Sofia's foreign policy by Croatian President Zoran Milanović. 

Brdo pri Kranju – Having gathered for a summit at Brdo pri Kranju on Monday, the leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process adopted a declaration to reaffirm their commitment to EU enlargement, but failed to reach a consensus to call against changes to borders in the region due to Serbia’s opposition.

President Vui was welcomed by the host, Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Croatian President Zoran Milanovi.
Upon his arrival, the President of Serbia greeted Pahor more cordially than Milanovi, with whom, according to the Tanjug reporter, he greeted more officially.

The Brdo-Brioni summit was originally planned for last year, to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the initiative, but was postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.