Balkan developments

European Parliament to vote on draft reports concerning Western Balkan countries

The European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs has adopted draft reports on the progress of Western Balkan countries toward EU membership. The texts still need final approval in plenary, with the next European Parliament session scheduled for June 15–17.

What the reports say:

For Serbia, it is stated that progress toward the EU is stalled due to concerns over democracy and the rule of law. Close ties between Belgrade and Moscow are deplored, as well as anti-EU rhetoric from leading politicians, according to BTA. Serbia is also urged to ensure equal rights for the Croatian minority, similar to those enjoyed by Serbs in Croatia.

For Kosovo, the report notes progress but highlights ongoing challenges in judicial reform, media freedom and the effectiveness of public administration. According to the report, 2025 must be considered a “lost year” for Kosovo, as the normal political process was severely disrupted.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Committee on Foreign Affairs reiterates its support for the county’s EU path and calls for faster reforms, stronger democratic institutions and political responsibility. Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs reaffirm their support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the European Union on the basis of unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The report calls on Sarajevo to appoint a chief negotiator for the EU accession talks and denounces ongoing engagement between Republika Srpska authorities and Russian officials and sanctioned entities.

For North Macedonia, the report highlights that the country’s EU reform progress is insufficient, especially on the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption.

Protests in Albania over coastal development project

Thousands of Albanians have been protesting in Tirana since June 1 against a development project involving construction in protected areas along the country’s southern coast. The protests were triggered by a May 30 video showing private security personnel assaulting demonstrators on the Zvërnec peninsula near Vlorë. A Greek citizen was among those injured. Athens has expressed concern over the clashes and called for a full investigation, according to skai.gr.

According to protesters, as cited by skai.gr, the resort project is linked to Zvërnec South Adriatic Development, a company they claim is linked to Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Qatar’s al-Hayat family.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the project will go ahead, while the country’s anticorruption prosecutors have frozen the company’s bank accounts.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan nominates Eugen Tomac for prime minister

Romanian President Nicușor Dan has proposed Eugen Tomac as the country’s prime minister, AGERPRES reported.

“Since the parties cannot agree among themselves, the only possible solution is a prime minister who is independent of the parties in parliament, who will succeed through individual talks with each of them to lead Romania in the direction Romanians want'', said President Nicușor Dan adding that Romania must remain committed to a pro-Western course while preserving financial stability.

Eugen Tomac said he would propose to parliament “a team of experts” rather than politicians.

Greece’s armed forces to welcome first women volunteers 

Greece’s armed forces are set to welcome the first women volunteers signed up for military service, reported tovima.gr. They will undergo training at the army base near the city of Lamia. Under the program, women aged 20 to 26 who meet military fitness requirements and have a clean criminal record are eligible to apply for voluntary service. The length of service is 12 months. The conditions and duties are the same as those for male conscripts. Female volunteers will also be eligible to participate in selection procedures for reserve officer training under the same criteria applied to men. They will have access to military hospital services, receive additional points when applying for certain public sector positions, and have their period of service recognized as professional experience.

Kosovo seeks to participate in Eurovision 2027

Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) has submitted a request to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to be held in Bulgaria in 2027.

RTK Director General Zana Spahiu referred to the upcoming EBU General Assembly scheduled for June 25 in Prague. The EBU is reportedly considering amendments to its statutes that would introduce a category of broadcasters with limited membership rights, including broadcasters from countries outside the EBU’s traditional service area. This would facilitate the participation of public broadcasters such as those of Kosovo, Canada and Kazakhstan, which are currently associate members of the EBU, reported the website Eurovisionfun.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov