The so-called ‘Open Balkans’ initiative to ease movement, travel and trade restrictions between Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia has taken a big leap forward. Leaders from all three countries – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, – met today in Albania, signing
Polish MPs have voted through a bill restricting non-EU ownership of media outlets that would force US conglomerate Discovery to sell off its interests in the country, including liberal news channel TVN24. The ‘lex TVN’ would strike a further blow against independent news media in Poland, where ruling PiS
Construction of the Mateševo-Smokovac section of Montenegro’s 41-kilometre long Bar-Boljare highway is set to be finished in January 2022. Now, how the country’s largest-ever infrastructure project, built and financed by Chinese interests, will be paid for remains in question. Not only has Montenegro’s
China is allegedly pressuring Continental AG to stop using components made at the German car parts manufacturer’s subsidiary in Lithuania in retaliation for the Baltic country allowing Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in its capital Vilnius, Reuters reports. Continental AG, one of the world’s largest car
The EU is rewriting its energy infrastructure investment rules to fully align them with its Green Deal programme. The three main arms of the EU – the European Council, European Parliament and European Commission – have revised the “TEN-E” framework and are set to agree on the removal of funding of
EU lawmakers overwhelmingly adopted a position in favour of the Digital Markets Act on Wednesday, which would put constraints on “gatekeeper” tech companies such as US tech giants Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft. MEPs voted 642 in favour and 8 against, with 46 abstentions. Under the new rules big
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in no uncertain terms that her country will pursue EU accession ahead of today’s Eastern Partnership summit. “We will insist that it is our choice and we would like other countries to respect that choice,” Sandu told Reuters. Moscow is fully aware of this
Hungary is not likely to gain access to EU pandemic recovery funds before elections take place next spring, said French President Emmanuel Macron, who paid a visit to Budapest on Monday. Macron said the EU would not send any stimulus fund payments to Hungary because the country is not showing
Germany will not allow the commencement of the operation of the Nord Stream 2 (NSII) gas pipeline if Russia steps up aggression towards Ukraine, Germany’s new Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday. The Greens party politician explained that Berlin’s stance on the pipeline, which Russian state-owned
US President Joe Biden discussed the threat of a possible Russian attack on Ukraine with numerous NATO member countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) on Thursday. Speaking with the leaders of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia for 40 minutes, Biden pledged to
China is leveraging its influence over multinational companies operating there, instructing them not to do business with Lithuania, or else. For the tiny Baltic country, that means not having access to Chinese markets. It’s the latest volley in a row with Lithuania over it having allowed Taiwan to open
Electric vehicles (EVs) and gas will reportedly be similarly classified as sustainable investments in Europe from 2026 under the new EU Taxonomy regulations formulated by the European Commission (EC) expected on 22 December. “The classification of EVs as sustainable vehicles is possibly the most advanced green classification in financial markets,
On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed a so-called “anti-coercion measure”. It would give the European Union the ability to push back – using punitive sanctions against individuals, companies or countries – when they use their power or influence to try and sway EU policy. The rationale behind the measure is
As Germany opens a new chapter with an unprecedented three-party coalition led by Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Central European Times analyses what the country’s new leadership could mean for the region. After a near-record term in office, Angela Merkel stepped down as German chancellor after
Lower value added tax (VAT) rates may be on the horizon for goods and services linked to mitigating climate change, like bicycles and solar panels sold in the European Union. Products contributing to digitalisation and health protection (like face masks) could also see reduced rates. EU finance ministers agreed to