Albania
Diplomatic relations with Russia tighten, cooperation with Greece is firmer, and the World Bank growth projection signals recovering. Russian diplomat Alexey Krivosheev got expelled over continuous violations of the virus lockdown rules since April last year. The country signed an agreement with Greece to establish a new communications center at the Kakavia crossing, exchange information and intelligence, and coordinate on matters under police and customs jurisdiction. According to the World Bank’s basic predictions, the Albanian economy should grow between 2.5%-5.1% in 2021.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Germany presented a candidate for the High Representative while migrants experience cold winter and sectarian clashes. Germany nominated Christian Schmidt for the new international High Representative in the country, overseeing the Dayton Peace Agreement’s implementation. Some 3,000 migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Syria desperately need necessities near Bihac. Meanwhile, at the Blazuj center near Sarajevo, migrants injured two police officers and an International Organization for Migration employee. They damaged their cars during an intervention preventing Sunni-Shia confrontation.
Croatia
The government pledged to rebuild destroyed houses, companies seek government aid, and the central bank introduced restrictions. The government may divert the 111 million Euros to reconstruct 42 thousand buildings in the affected area or find adequate alternative housing for those residents whose homes were destroyed beyond repair. In the last two months, some 35 000 Croatian companies have been seeking government aid in numerous economical packages designed to retain jobs. Croatia’s central bank has decided to ban local lenders from distributing dividend or repurchasing own shares to increase the banks’ resilience.
Kosovo
A new strategy on the rule of law amid a new case of war crimes witness death. The Draft Strategy on the Rule of Law 2021-2025 aims to strengthen judiciary and prosecution, criminal justice, and the anti-corruption fight. Meanwhile, a former Kosovo Police officer Fadil Sileviqi – whose name was released in a public indictment as a witness to war crimes – was found dead at the Badovac Lake outside Pristina. Sileviqi was summoned to appear before the Specialist Chambers as a witness.
Montenegro
Parliament sent the disputed law back to the president as the country wishes to advance regional EU accession and Transatlantic security cooperation. The parliament re-adopted the amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion. The government confirms willingness to implement a “zero problem doctrine” boosting EU accession perspective in the region. US Department of Homeland Security and the Ministry of the Interior signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on information sharing mechanisms identifying potential security risks, risk assessments, and travelers engaged in transnational organized crime/terrorism.
North Macedonia
Greece offers military support as the country sent the first permanent representative to NATO; unemployment increased by 54%. Within the framework of the already implemented Military Cooperation Program, Greece’s military delegation visited N. Macedonia to assist the country’s Armed Forces integration into NATO’s structures via education and training of executives in Greek Military Institutions. The country gets its first permanent representative to NATO a year after it became the 30th full member. There were 156,432 jobless people registered with labor offices at the end of December of 2020, up from 101,748 a year earlier.
Serbia
The country strengthens financial cooperation with the US, faces accusations for Albanians’ depopulation, and responds to the Great Albania initiatives. Serbia and the US signed a new Investment Incentive allowing investments across sectors, including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. Member of European Parliament Viola von Cramon urged the EU to address the effective depopulation of ethnic Albanians from southern Serbia facing home address suspension if they are not found at home by authorities. Meanwhile, President Vucic assures the public there will be an adequate answer if the former Prime Minister of Kosovo Haradinaj tries to unify Kosovo with Albania.