Serbia

A collection of 92 posts

CEE media outlets, civil groups count cost of Trump’s aid freeze

CEE media outlets, civil groups count cost of Trump’s aid freeze

The suspension of foreign aid by incoming US President Donald Trump on 24 January is causing major disruption in sectors including independent media and NGOs across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with many institutions now frantically seeking alternative funding sources. The US has traditionally played a key role in funding

Wave of anti-gov't protests sweeps CEE

Wave of anti-gov't protests sweeps CEE

The year in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has begun with large-scale protests across the region, including in Serbia, Slovakia, Greece and Montenegro, amid rising geopolitical tensions. While the triggers vary, the demonstrations have the common thread of addressing government incompetence and demanding improved transparency, reforms and alignment with European

Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech 'Fast 50'

Czechia stars on Deloitte CEE Tech 'Fast 50'

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is emerging as a hub for innovation and growth with the achievements of its fastest-growing technology companies, according to the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe 2024 report. The global auditor’s annual report, now in its 25th year, ranks the 50 fastest-growing public or

OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards

OTP wins big at CEE bank of the year awards

Hungarian banking group OTP’s subsidiaries in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia were ranked as the best banks in their respective countries at the Bank of the Year 2024 Awards organised by The Banker magazine. The UK-based outlet, part of the Financial Times Group, said it chose the winning banks

Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions - Reuters institute report

Poland leads CEE on media subscriptions - Reuters institute report

Digital news consumption in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is transforming, driven by evolving audience habits, technology adoption, and growing mistrust in traditional media, according to Reuters Digital News Report 2024. Internet penetration and smartphone usage have enabled a rapid shift online, but challenges related to declining trust in news

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

FDI paints rosier picture for Poland, Romania - OECD report

Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are still navigating post-pandemic economic challenges amid newer geopolitical tensions, according to the Economic Outlook December 2024 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Inflationary pressures, labour shortages, and weakened demand from key European markets, most notably Germany, are affecting industrial

CEE secures EUR 1.4bn in AI funding in 2023-24

CEE secures EUR 1.4bn in AI funding in 2023-24

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a rising force in artificial intelligence (AI) and startups in the region raised EUR 1.4bn in funding between 2023 and 2024, The Recursive writes in its second report entitled “The State of AI in CEE 2024”. Despite a less-than-perfect global funding environment, geopolitical

EU assesses candidates' progress in ten country reports

EU assesses candidates' progress in ten country reports

The European Commission (EC) analyses the accession prospects of all ten prospective members of the EU in a new set of reports on how the countries measure up to the criteria for governance, judicial independence and democratic standards required to join the bloc. The EC publishes an annual detailing of

CEE mulls ramifications of Trump's victory on trade, defence, environment

CEE mulls ramifications of Trump's victory on trade, defence, environment

As Donald Trump officially declared his victory in the US election, he received congratulations from numerous Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) leaders including Polish President Andrzej Duda and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. However, CEE politicians and observers are now wondering what the leadership change in Washington will bring, as

Albania opens first EU-accession chapters

Albania opens first EU-accession chapters

Albania’s bid to join the EU gained momentum at the latest intergovernmental conference that marked the opening of formal EU accession talks in Luxembourg on Tuesday, October 15. The talks focused on the first cluster of chapters known as the “fundamentals,” which include human rights, rule of law, and

China, CEE strengthen strategic ties at summit

China, CEE strengthen strategic ties at summit

The sixth China and Central and Eastern European Countries Local Leaders’ Meeting concluded on 16 October with a firm commitment between the Asian country and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) officials to deepening strategic cooperation across sectors such as trade, agriculture, and technology. The two-day summit, held in Yantai, Shandong

Serbian MPs vote against lithium mining ban, as Rio Tinto project edges closer

Serbian MPs vote against lithium mining ban, as Rio Tinto project edges closer

Serbian MPs voted down the enactment of a ban on lithium and boron exploration on Thursday, 10 October. An opposition-tabled House motion had suggested amending the Mining and Geological Research Act but was rejected by 128 MPs opposed, while 84 supported the change and 2 abstained. The Serbian Parliament is

CEE's evolving e-commerce landscape

CEE's evolving e-commerce landscape

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is catching up with Western Europe for e-commerce, but unique regional challenges and opportunities are shaping its growth trajectory, according to the European e-Commerce Report 2024. Central Europe Many CEE countries still experience uneven digital development, as compared to Western Europe where higher internet penetration