Albania
Unemployment rate increases, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to help startups, and death threats against journalists. According to the National Institute of Statistics, unemployment reached 12.6%, with 59% of the population aged 15-64 working thus far. EBRD launched the project Empowering Albanian Startups providing technical assistance and training to 12 startups for six months. Alice Taylor received a death threat via Facebook after posting articles supporting the arriving Afghanistan refugees.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) allocated millions in special drawing rights (SDRs), consumer price inflation speeds up to 1.9% year-on-year in July, and Turkish President Erdogan arrived in Sarajevo. The country will receive 308 million euros ($361 million) in response to the latest crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Erdogan visited Alija Izetbegovic’s grave before attending his granddaughter’s wedding as the best man.
Croatia
Security and Intelligence Agency Head Markic on national security threats, US-based Croatian scientists join with domestic colleagues to advance STEAM initiatives, and the Medical Chamber President Luetic on mandatory vaccination. Markic stated the Agency is monitoring threats coming from cyberspace and the present Afghan crisis. The Association of Croatian-American Professionals’ Joint Committee for Research Collaborations, led by Dr. Mario Skarica of Yale University, formalized its cooperation with the Croatian Science Foundation. Luetic is advocating for mandatory vaccination with the fourth wave underway.
Kosovo
Central Election Commission (CEC) asked for help from its Albanian counterpart, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Olympic Committee of Portugal, and Defense Minister Armend Mehaj on strengthening The Kosovo Security Force (KSF). Albanian CEC will provide technical equipment used in the April elections to the country’s electoral process integrity. The MoU will allow both parties to access each training center in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Mehaj stated that KSF would soon use Vuran-type armored vehicles.
Montenegro
EU Delegation calls for lowering religious tensions, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) dismissed Gojko Perovic from the position of rector of the Cetinje seminary, and protest over the Metropolitan Bishop Joanikije II inauguration. EU Delegation stated that “Montenegro needs all parts of society to work constructively together” to progress on the path to the EU.” Perovic is dismissed based on the Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dabro-Bosnia’s report mentioning the Theological Seminary administration “certain negative actions.” Opposition Democratic Party of Socialists and Social Democratic Party have been calling for protests against the ceremony.
North Macedonia
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) praises the country’s stable banking system, citizens started receiving identity cards incorporating the new constitutional name, and IMF allocates 161 million euros ($190 million) worth of SDRs. S&P affirmed the country’s ‘BB-/B’ long-term and short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings. The new cards state that the holder’s citizenship is “Macedonian/Citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia.” The funds will serve as the country’s official foreign reserves.
Serbia
Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto called for the country’s faster integration, Foreign Minister Selakovic visited Jordan, and new pumped storage hydropower plants Djerdap 3 and Bistrica about to be constructed. Szijjarto expressed support to the EU Integration Minister Joksimovic in her official visit to Budapest. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Selakovic agreed to form a working group to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields. In September, the Ministry of Mining and Energy will present a 17 billion euros ($20 billion) investment plan to play a significant role in the energy transition by integrating solar power plants and wind farms.