Sanctions oil shock: What awaits Central Europe’s markets
The Central and Eastern European oil market is entering a new era as a result of the US measures aimed at restricting Russian crude exports.
Serbia
A collection of 101 posts
Geopolitical cohesion key driver of EU trade - Deloitte report
“For Europe, analysis of the historical data shows that a 1% drop in geopolitical alignment is associated with a corresponding 1% decline in trade intensity,” Deloitte observed.
Balkan ministers back Ukraine’s NATO bid at Dubrovnik summit
Serbia and Bulgaria did not sign the Dubrovnik declaration. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding NATO, while Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has voiced concerns about deepening military support for Ukraine.
Serbian president rejects calls for early elections, as protests continue
Government supporters have established a counter-camp "Caciland" in Belgrade’s Pionirski Park, drawing participation from nationalist groups and rural unions. The Serbian government said the camp demonstrates “popular support for stability”.
Serbs plan fresh protests as anti-gov't unrest grows
Demonstrations intensified over the weekend as student-led groups erected makeshift barricades at key intersections in central Belgrade. Police estimated turnout at 36,000, while independent observers cited figures as high as 140,000.
CEE diversifies on gas, as Merz decries Nord Stream 2 'mistake'
In late May, Merz said Nord Stream 2 must stay closed to “weaken Moscow's war machine” and also declared that his government would “do everything” to prevent the pipeline from going online.ce
New MOL oil well in west Hungary ups domestic output
The Som-8 well is Hungary’s first meaningful local oil addition since 2019. National demand averaged 167,000 bpd in 2024, while domestic crude output stood closer to 23,000 bpd, according to industry data.
CEE auto industry powers exports, stalls on e-mobility
While Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia continue to attract foreign capital, structural delays in electrification and infrastructure risk diminishing long-term value, according to the International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map.
China deepens CEE links on agro, rail, as bilateral trade climbs 6.3%
China's trade with Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) reached USD 142.3bn in 2024, marking a 6.3% year-on-year increase, surpassing China's overall foreign trade growth rate by 2.5 percentage points, according to China's General Administration of Customs. The total marked a 4.
Estonia climbs to second in global press freedom rankings, Czechia makes top ten
Estonia has surged to second place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, its best-ever result and the highest ranking among EU countries. Estonia's ranking in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index is the highest ever achieved by a Central and Eastern European (CEE) country since the index&
Far-right Simion wins first round of Romania's presidential rerun, to face Bucharest mayor in runoff vote
Far-right leader George Simion surged to a clear lead in the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun, taking 40.9% of the vote ahead of the 18 May runoff that could reshape the country’s entire political trajectory. Simion, leader of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Union of
Bosnia's EU accession requires pro-EU coalition - high representative
The EU can formally begin accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) when a stable and pro-European coalition has been formed, according to Christian Schmidt, the international high representative overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Dayton accords were signed in 1995 and ended the Bosnian War. The
Poland tops employment rankings - OECD report
The EU’s employment rate reached a record high of 70.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). But while this marks a major milestone for the bloc, the picture in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is more complex, as
Serbia, Hungary deepen defence, energy ties
When Croatia, Albania and Kosovo recently formed a new military alliance, Serbia and Hungary followed suit, reshaping the security situation in South East Europe. Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky earlier this month signed a bilateral military cooperation agreement in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.
Vucic names academic as PM candidate, as demonstrators take protest to Strasbourg
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic nominated political newcomer Duro Macut, a 62-year-old endocrinologist and university professor, to serve as the country’s next prime minister on Monday, 7 April. The nomination comes amid ongoing mass protests demanding political accountability for governmental scandals and infrastructure failures. Macut’s nomination was announced weeks