Balkan Developments

Croatia allocates €2 million to Croatian farmers in Serbia

Croatia is providing €2 million to support agricultural development within the Croatian community in Serbia, with 257 projects receiving funding, the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture said. The money will go mainly towards agricultural machinery and equipment for crop and fruit growing, vegetable production, livestock farming and beekeeping. Half of the funding comes from the Agriculture Ministry, with the remaining €1 million provided by the government office responsible for Croats living abroad.

The ministry said the programme was intended “to strengthen agricultural production within the Croatian community in Serbia, modernise farms and increase their competitiveness, while also creating conditions for people to remain in rural areas”. In the Subotica region, for example, Croatian farmers hold 65% of agricultural land despite accounting for 10% of the population.

“Croatia wants to stand by its people, which is why we are investing in agriculture within the Croatian community in Serbia,” Minister David Vlajčić said.

Tractors head to Thessaloniki for protest as International Fair opens

Greek farmers will stage a protest in Thessaloniki on September 5, coinciding with the opening of the city’s 90th International Fair, BGNews reported. The demonstration will begin at 5 pm at the White Tower, with tractors and other agricultural machinery expected to take part.

Farmers are demanding lower production costs, changes to the social security system, subsidies and compensation. The demonstration follows the farmers’ blockades of motorways and border crossings across Greece last winter. They ended their protests in January 2026 but warned that unless their main demands were met, they would take their grievances to the Thessaloniki International Fair. Farming representatives now say their situation has become even more difficult, according to To Vima.

This year’s 90th Thessaloniki International Fair also marks the centenary of the event, first held in 1926. Japan is the guest of honour and will be represented by leading technology companies. Organisers expect more than 1,000 exhibitors and over 200,000 visitors, ERT News reported.

Serbia’s early parliamentary elections to be held on October 25, Euronews reports

Early parliamentary elections in Serbia will be held on October 25, Euronews Serbia reported, citing its sources. Parliament is due to be dissolved in the coming days following a formal proposal from the government, clearing the way for the election to be called.

On August 20, President Aleksandar Vučić narrowed the possible dates to October 18 or 25. Serbian law requires between 45 and 60 days from the calling of an election to polling day. An October 18 vote would therefore have had to be called by September 3 at the latest. With that deadline now passed, October 25 is the only one of the two dates that remains possible. For a vote on that date, the election must be called by September 10 at the latest.

Under Serbian law, the president cannot dissolve parliament on his own. A formal proposal from the government is required, after which the president has 72 hours to issue a decree or publicly explain why he has rejected it. If the proposal is accepted, the president dissolves parliament and calls an early parliamentary election. The official election campaign begins on the day the vote is called.

Passenger ferry sinks off northern Cyprus en route to Türkiye

A journey from Cyprus to Türkiye ended in tragedy on August 30 when a Turkish-flagged passenger ferry sank off Kyrenia, on the island’s northern coast.. A total of 239 people were rescued, 10 have been confirmed dead and 18 remain missing, the Cyprus Mail reported.

Shortly after leaving port, the ferry began taking on water before capsizing and sinking. The wreck has been located at a depth of more than 500 metres, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Türkiye has joined the operation with vessels, helicopters and specialised underwater equipment. 

The cause of the sinking is still under investigation. Survivors said the vessel had experienced problems before it went down. The captain and members of the crew have been detained. The search for those still missing continues, while relatives wait for news near the port of Kyrenia.

Ukraine joins Romania and Moldova in marking Romanian Language Day

Romanian Language Day was marked in three countries this year for the first time – Romania, Moldova and Ukraine, Romanian President Nicușor Dan wrote on Facebook, as quoted by BTA. “Protecting the rights of Romanians abroad and promoting our language and culture remain key objectives of the Romanian state beyond its borders,” he added. Romanian was declared Moldova’s official language by parliament in March 2023. In March this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree establishing Romanian Language Day in Ukraine, to be observed annually on August 31.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova
Editor: D. Semkovska