China and the Balkans

Balkan Blast 4/13/2021: EU refuses to pay Montenegro’s $1bn debt to China. USAID allocates $22m to Serbia. Slovenian President Pahor asks about “peaceful dissolution” of BiH on trip to Sarajevo. EUSR Lajčák remains confident on Kosovo-Serbia deal.Photo: The Srpska Times

Balkan Blast 4/13/2021: EU refuses to pay Montenegro’s $1bn debt to China. USAID allocates $22m to Serbia. Slovenian President Pahor asks about “peaceful dissolution” of BiH on trip to Sarajevo. EUSR Lajčák remains confident on Kosovo-Serbia deal.

We would like to wish all Muslims across the U.S., Balkans, and world a Happy Ramadan! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY USAID’S ALLOCATES $22M TO SERBIA:  Serbia’s Minister of European Integration Jadranka Jokšimović and Director of the Office of Democratic and Economic Development at USAID […]

Balkan Blast 4/8/2021: U.S., OSCE, and EU Ambs to BiH meet urge change in electoral law. Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia’s Defense Ministers meet to discuss the Strategic Compass process, EU-NATO cooperation, military mobility, and Mozambique. Croatia’s Interior Ministry denies sexual abuse allegations against Croatian Police.Photo: HARP

Balkan Blast 4/8/2021: U.S., OSCE, and EU Ambs to BiH meet urge change in electoral law. Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia’s Defense Ministers meet to discuss the Strategic Compass process, EU-NATO cooperation, military mobility, and Mozambique. Croatia’s Interior Ministry denies sexual abuse allegations against Croatian Police.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY DIPLOMATS CORNER: Albania – DAS Matthew Palmer’s “virtual visit” to Albania included meeting with Champions of Justice Reform from state institutions, independent justice institutions, media, civil society, and academia. He “reinforced U.S. support for the implementation of justice reform and its […]

Balkan Blast 4/7/2021: DAS Palmer has a “virtual visit” to Albania ahead of elections. Montenegrin Serbs rally for Srebrenica denier. Slovenia’s PM Janša out? Vučić gets Sinopharm vaccine from “Chinese brothers.”

Balkan Blast 4/7/2021: DAS Palmer has a “virtual visit” to Albania ahead of elections. Montenegrin Serbs rally for Srebrenica denier. Slovenia’s PM Janša out? Vučić gets Sinopharm vaccine from “Chinese brothers.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY PALMER’S VIRTUAL VISIT TO ALBANIA: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Representative to the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer went on a “virtual visit” to Albania today. He spoke with President Ilir Meta, PM Edi Rama, and Democratic […]

Balkan Blast 4/6/2021: U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan speaks with Croatia’s PM Andrej Plenković on Covid, energy diversification, and VWP. New President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani lays out vision for future. Montenegro’s PM looks to oust Srebrenica denying minister. Sarajevo marks beginning of nearly four year siege.Photo: Time Out

Balkan Blast 4/6/2021: U.S. NSA Jake Sullivan speaks with Croatia’s PM Andrej Plenković on Covid, energy diversification, and VWP. New President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani lays out vision for future. Montenegro’s PM looks to oust Srebrenica denying minister. Sarajevo marks beginning of nearly four year siege.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY SULLIVAN + PLENKOVIĆ: U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke with Croatian PM Andrej Plenković yesterday about COVID-19, energy diversification, and the Western Balkans. The White House wrote in a press statement, “Mr. Sullivan expressed the Biden Administration’s appreciation for […]

Balkan Blast 4/5/2021: Kosovo elects Vjosa Osmani as president. Sec. Blinken calls for constitutional change in BiH. Macron urges Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue to continue. Slovenia’s Janša facing impeachment.Photo: Ardian Lumi

Balkan Blast 4/5/2021: Kosovo elects Vjosa Osmani as president. Sec. Blinken calls for constitutional change in BiH. Macron urges Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue to continue. Slovenia’s Janša facing impeachment.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter to those who celebrated the holiday yesterday.  WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY KOSOVO’S NEW PRESIDENT: Vjosa Osmani was elected President of Kosovo after the third round of voting on Sunday with a total of 71 […]

Balkan Blast 4/1/2021: Sen. Cardin weighs in on Srebrenica Genocide denial. Serbia’s Vučić appears on CNN about Covid vaccine distribution. Kosovo FM hopes to reinvigorate diplomatic corps.

Balkan Blast 4/1/2021: Sen. Cardin weighs in on Srebrenica Genocide denial. Serbia’s Vučić appears on CNN about Covid vaccine distribution. Kosovo FM hopes to reinvigorate diplomatic corps.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY SEN. CARDIN WEIGHS IN ON SREBRENICA: U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) told Voice of America that he was “disturbed” about the reports of Montenegro’s Justice Minister Vladimir Leposavić was willing to recognize the Srebrenica Genocide “when it is established unequivocally.” […]

Balkan Blast 3/26/2021: European Parliament supports integration of W. Balkans. EUSR Lajčák says leaders in Belgrade and Pristina could meet in coming weeks. China’s Defense Minister on three-day official visit to Serbia. Sarajevans want Bogićević as mayor.Photo: Reddit

Balkan Blast 3/26/2021: European Parliament supports integration of W. Balkans. EUSR Lajčák says leaders in Belgrade and Pristina could meet in coming weeks. China’s Defense Minister on three-day official visit to Serbia. Sarajevans want Bogićević as mayor.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY EU DISCUSSES WESTERN BALKANS: The European Parliament yesterday discussed the enlargement reports of the four Western Balkan countries progress to EU accession. The key takeaway from the discussions are that the European Parliament supports integration, but expects the countries […]

Balkan Blast 3/19/2021: Montenegro’s Abazović in Brussels. Russia “will have to react” if BiH joins NATO. N. Macedonia buys U.S. armored vehicles. Kosovo’s new gov’t shaping up.

Balkan Blast 3/19/2021: Montenegro’s Abazović in Brussels. Russia “will have to react” if BiH joins NATO. N. Macedonia buys U.S. armored vehicles. Kosovo’s new gov’t shaping up.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY BiH PRESIDENCY IN ANKARA: The BiH tripartite presidency members continued their visit to Turkey on Wednesday. Key developments include: BiH Presidency Member Šefik Džaferović and Željko Komšić met with members of the Committee on Foreign Economic Relations of the Republic […]

Balkan Blast 3/15/2021: DAS Palmer speaks with Serbia’s PM, Speaker on bilateral & regional relations. Albania signs MOU with Exxon, Excelerate. Municipal election results in Nikšić. Kosovo opens embassy in Jerusalem. Vučić wraps up official visit to the Arabian Peninsula.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY SERBIA-U.S. RELATIONS: U.S. DAS and Special Representative to the Western Balkans on Friday spoke with Serbian PM Ana Brnabić and Parliament Speaker Ivica Dačić via video conference. DAS Palmer and PM Brnabić discussed improving bilateral relations in the 140th […]

Nice view of the town of Perast, Montenegro and bay

Balkan Blast 3/12/2021: DAS Palmer, Amb. Kosnett speak with Vetëvendosje’s Kurti, Serb List leaders. Croatian PM Plenković meets EU, NATO leaders in Brussels. BiH Presidency Members react to Dodik’s calls for secession of Republika Srpska.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THE BALKANS TODAY DAS PALMER, U.S. AMB KOSNETT SPEAK TO KOSOVO’S LEADERS: U.S. State Department DAS and Special Representative to the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer and U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett yesterday spoke with Kosovo’s likely next PM Albin Kurti and […]

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