Western Balkans

(Limited) freedom of movement

The EU must not confuse the subjects of counter-terrorism and migration

Harsh realities in Minsk

The situation in Ukraine has echoes of the end of the Bosnian War, as Kyiv faces the dilemma of whether or not to accept a quasi-independent Donbas in the east

Balkan genocides without genocidal intentions

For the former Yugoslavian states – acquitted of genocide only because of insufficient international justice – the major pending issue is still reconciliation

Can Steinmeier and Hammond reset Bosnia?

Halting Bosnia’s eight-year downward trend and boosting the country’s momentum towards Europe is the main goal of Steinmeier and Hammond’s proposal

Serbia, Kosovo and the benefits of normalisation

The EU-brokered deal between Serbia and Kosovo settles the most acute dispute in the Balkans and is likely to have an impact on the wider region. Yet it may be too early to declare victory in the Balkans.  

The euro crisis should not mean the end of enlargement

Enlargement is far from over, with Croatia due to join next year and other countries in the Western Balkans still working towards accession. And although the challenges are considerable, further expansion is not just in these countries’ interests but in the interests of the EU itself.  

Not your Serbian déjà vu

The Serbian presidential elections this weekend look familiar – but Serbia is a very different place to how it was in 2004 and 2008. It is normalising fast and its core concerns are far more similar to other European countries than they were before.