Balkan developments

Four parties seek formula for new government in Romania

Romanian President Nicușor Dan has called on political parties to reach an agreement on forming a government as soon as possible, after talks between the four pro-European parties, the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union, and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania, reached an impasse, reported TV station Digi 24.

Romania has been in a political crisis since early May, when the government of Ilie Bolojan was brought down by a vote of no confidence. On Monday, the nominated prime minister, Adrian Veștea, also failed to secure the necessary parliamentary support, prompting a new round of consultations.

According to the president, forming a government quickly is essential, as by August 31 the country must meet commitments linked to funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Dan said he expects the parties to propose a parliamentary majority that would support a minority government.

Cyprus reduces green energy losses with new battery systems

Cyprus has begun building its first centralized electricity storage systems aimed at increasing the use of renewable energy, reported BNR correspondent Branislava Bobanac.

This week, contracts were signed for the supply and installation of three battery systems with a total capacity of 120 megawatts. They will be built in Nicosia, Larnaca, and Paphos and are expected to become operational by summer 2027. The systems will store solar energy that is currently being lost due to insufficient grid capacity. In the first five months of the year, Cyprus lost more than 160,000 MWh of green electricity.

The project is valued at 50 million euros. Additional storage projects with a combined capacity of over 1,080 megawatts are also being developed by the state electricity company and private investors.

Labour shortages drive Croatia toward partnership with Uzbekistan

The Croatian Employers’ Association and the Confederation of Employers of Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum for the long-term recruitment of Uzbek workers in the construction sector, reported BTA.

The agreement foresees practical training, internationally recognized qualifications, and Croatian language instruction before employment. It also establishes direct cooperation between employer organizations in both countries, eliminating intermediaries, reducing costs for Croatian employers, and preventing brokerage fees for workers.

The measure aims to ease labour shortages in Croatia. As of April 2026, more than 105,000 foreign workers with valid residence and work permits are employed in the country, mainly in tourism and construction, with Uzbekistan already among the key labor-supplying countries.

Arilje - where raspberries are a way of life

We also take a look at the Serbian town of Arilje, often rightly called the “capital of raspberries,” with its aromatic produce exported as far as the United States and Japan, according to Associated Press.

“People here are born, live, and die with raspberries. Arilje is unique in the world,” says Mileta Pilčević, who heads a local growers’ association. The fruit is cultivated without chemicals in this hilly region and picked by hand to preserve quality.

In a municipality of about 17,000 people, between 15,000 and 20,000 tons of raspberries are produced annually, with around 90% of the harvest exported frozen for jams, yogurt, and confectionery products.

This year, however, producers expect yields to be 20–30% lower due to last year’s drought. Farmers also say they are under pressure from increasingly unpredictable weather and fluctuating purchase prices that often erase profits.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova
Editor: Ivo Ivanov