Albania
The country is likely to become the regional energy hub, the Government achieved a 182 million euros ($196 million) budget surplus in Q1, and Prime Minister Rama is not concerned over Serbia’s Chinese weapons purchase. US gas company Excelerate Energy Inc plans to use the Vlora LNG project to expand into other countries in the region. Rama stated that he does not see “how a missile defense system can be of concern to us.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The United Kingdom sanctioned SNSD’s Milorad Dodik and Zeljka Cvijanovic, High Representative Christian Schmidt suspended the Republika Srpska (RS) Property Law, and the Russian Embassy criticized these actions. Serb Presidency member Dodik and RS President Cvijanovic sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes “for deliberately undermining peace.” The Law was published in the RS Official Gazette regardless of Schmidt’s suspension. The Embassy stated that Russia does not recognize Schmidt as the head of the UN Office of the High Representative and considers his moves illegitimate.
Croatia
The Government expelled 24 Russian diplomats, predicted three more years until the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) membership, and raised 1.25 billion euros via a 10-year Eurobond. Russian Ambassador Andrei Nesterenko said that the decision is counterproductive and that “Russia will respond appropriately.” Thus far, Croatia has adopted 29 “legal instruments” out of 253 required. The Eurobond will mature in 2032, carrying an annual coupon of 2.875% and yields 2.975%.
Kosovo
Prime Minister Kurti criticized Serbia’s “silent ethnic cleansing,” the Government temporarily banned some food exports, and a police patrol attacked near the border with Serbia. Kurti stated that Albanian parties lost much of their representation in the south region of Serbia as over 6,200 Serbian citizens of Albanian ethnicity have been illegally removed from voter lists in Presevo, Medvedja, and Bujanovac. The decision ensure access to wheat, corn, flour, cooking oil, salt, and sugar. Interior Minister Svecla said the police patrol came under fire from an AK-47 assault rifle and a hand grenade near Zubin Potok.
Montenegro
Annual inflation rate growth accelerated in March, Ethereum’s creator Vitalik Buterin became Montenegrin, and the Government banned two Russian channels. The consumer price index grew by 9.7% year-on-year in March, after rising by 6.7% in February. The Government aims to make the country a center for blockchain innovation, accounting for 30% of GDP within three years. Russia Today and Sputnik are not allowed to broadcast anymore.
North Macedonia
Prime Minister Kovacevski was admitted to hospital, state kindergarten and primary school teachers organized strike over prices soaring, and the Central bank raised the key rate by 0.25%. Kovacevski was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for food poisoning. The teachers’ union asks for an annual salary increase from 400 euros to 700 euros in 2024. The action increases the interest key rate by 0.25% to 1.5% as a preventive response to rising inflation.
Serbia
The Government continues to build up the country’s military capacities, is looking for partners to build a 400 million euros oil storage facility, and have allowed exports of organic food products. The Chinese FK-3 anti-aircraft missile systems arrived as the Government considers to purchase French Rafale jets and Turkish Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The partnership would lead to a stable oil supply to the Serbian market in light of the war in Ukraine and the international sanctions against Russian companies. The Government stated that this decision “does not harm the domestic market and the food safety of the population.”