A collection of 100 posts
Poland was the world’s largest gold buyer in the second and third quarters of 2024, and central banks across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are enlarging their gold reserves at an unprecedented pace, according to World Gold Council data. The trend has positioned CEE as a major global buyer
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
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
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’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
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 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
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
Croatia and Serbia have both announced plans to reintroduce compulsory military service, saying it is necessary to strengthen national defence due to growing regional uncertainties, largely driven by the war in Ukraine. Croatia moves to meet NATO commitments Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s coalition in August announced plans to
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is receiving crucial assistance from across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as well as the EU, as rescue teams help tackle the aftermath of severe floods and landslides that hit large parts of the country on Friday, 4 October. Torrential rain has caused rivers to overflow
As tens of thousands of Serbians rally in opposition to the contentious lithium mining project planned by company Rio Tinto in Jadar, west Serbia, an alternative is being investigated elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). A crucial material for enabling the EU to meet its 2030 climate goals may
Serbian police forcibly removed demonstrators from railway stations protesting the lithium mining project planned by company Rio Tinto, in the country’s capital Belgrade on Sunday August 11. President Aleksandar Vucic’s government last month authorised the British-Australian global mining group to establish Europe’s largest lithium mine – and reportedly
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk advised caution to European politicians calling for Hungary’s expulsion from the Schengen area, as it could in turn lead to its departure from the EU, on Friday, 9 August. Schengen member Hungary’s unilateral easing last month of visa requirements for citizens of Russia
The new report on rule of law and governance by the European Commission (EC) gives a mixed picture on Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) anti-corruption efforts, judicial independence, media freedom, and legislative practices. The EC’s Rule of Law Report 2024, its 5th, included assessments of developments in Bulgaria, Czechia,
Serbia would receive an annual EUR 31mn from mining rent at current prices, making the planned lithium mine project “not worth even the slightest risk” according to Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) economist Bosko Mijatovic. Lithium is considered a critical material by the EU and the US, due