Balkan developments

US and Türkiye Discuss Possible Turkish Return to the F-35 Programme

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has dismissed criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the possibility of Türkiye rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme.

Speaking at a press conference following the NATO summit, Erdoğan said the objections expressed by the two leaders were of no concern to him.

"It is clear what waters Netanyahu is navigating," Erdoğan said, adding that Mitsotakis "should not have made this mistake" because Türkiye had not questioned Greece's purchases of military equipment.

Erdoğan declined to reveal details of his discussions with US President Donald Trump on the F-35 programme or to clarify Ankara's plans for its Russian-made S-400 air defence systems, whose acquisition led to US sanctions against Türkiye and its removal from the F-35 programme. Instead, he replied, "Just keep following me," BTA reported.

Serbia's EU Integration Stalls

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning Serbia's policy of undermining the sovereignty of neighbouring Western Balkan countries.

The resolution states that Serbia's accession process has stalled because of setbacks in the rule of law, democratic standards and alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. It calls on Belgrade to demonstrate clearly and consistently its geopolitical commitment to the European Union.

MEPs also expressed particular concern over growing Russian and Chinese investment in Serbia and the increasing influence of both countries on political and economic developments in the region, BGNES reported.

Meanwhile, on 8 July, the EU ambassadors' committee in Brussels blocked the opening of Cluster 3 in Serbia's accession negotiations, according to Euronews.

Romania's Central Bank Warns of Economic Challenges

Romania continues to record the highest budget deficit in the European Union, according to a report by the National Bank of Romania. The country's budget deficit reached 7.9% of GDP in 2025, while the European Commission forecasts it will narrow to 6.2% in 2026.

The report says economic growth slowed to just 0.7% in 2025, down from 0.9% in 2024, as fiscal measures and reduced household purchasing power weighed on the economy.

Romania is also lagging behind in absorbing EU funds and implementing its National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Of the available funding, €10.72 billion has been received so far, with an equivalent amount still to be utilised, according to Digi24.

The report identifies population ageing, shortages of skilled labour and climate change as the country's main long-term structural economic challenges.

Mobile App to Help Drivers Find Parking in Athens

A free mobile application designed to help motorists locate available parking spaces is set to be introduced in the Greek capital, Athens, BNT reported.

The app will operate in areas where controlled parking is not in place. Drivers vacating parking spaces will be able to share their location in real time with other motorists searching for a space nearby.

The initiative is expected to reduce the time spent looking for parking, ease unnecessary traffic congestion and improve everyday urban mobility.

Athens Deputy Mayor for Digital Governance Panagiotis Charlavtis said that smart city development depends not only on technology but also on citizen participation, adding that the application transforms everyday information into a practical public service.

Albania Sponsors Kanye West Concert in Tirana

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the government's decision to provide financial support for a concert by controversial US rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, scheduled to take place in Tirana on 11 July, the Deutche Welle reported.

In a Facebook post, Rama said the government allocated €4 million at the last minute to avoid embarrassing Albania in the eyes of ‌nearly 25,000 foreign visitors from 80 countries who had already ‌purchased tickets to see Kanye West, while many others were wary that the concert might be cancelled.

Albania agreed to host the concert after several other countries declined to do so because of the artist's severely antisemitic statements.

Compiled by Ivo Ivanov
Edited by D. Semkovska