Albania
Prime Minister Edi Rama appointed new cabinet members, the Democratic Party of Albania elected new National Council members, and British Ambassador Alastair King-Smith presented credentials to President Meta. Minister of State for Youth Bora Muzhaqi, Minister of State for Standards and Services Milva Ikonomi, and Minister of State for the Protection of Entrepreneurship Edona Bilali will join some previous cabinet members. Jorida Tabaku, Grida Duma, Alfred Rushaj, and Enkeled Alibeaj will serve as vice-presidents. King-Smith will make climate change and prosperity his priority.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Global rating agencies Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) have affirmed the country’s credit ratings, foreign debt rises 5.7% quarter-over-quarter in Q2, and Afghan refugees even more desperate to leave the country. While Moody’s rating is B3, the S&P rating is B. foreign debt rose to 4.8 billion euros ($5.6 billion) at the end of the second quarter, from 4.4 billion euros ($5.2 billion) at the end of March. With the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the refugees now see the European Union as their only option.
Croatia
The government refused to implement the EU recommendation on US travelers, Defense Minister Banozic attended an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, and epidemiologists on the fourth Covid-19 wave approaching. Interior Minister Bozinovic said that the Croatian health authorities estimate that US citizens do not present an epidemiological risk. Banozic discussed lessons learned in Afghanistan with his EU counterparts and how to implement them in the common security and defense policy. The epidemiologists expect a more effortless epidemic fall with 51 percent of the adult vaccinated population and all those who have survived the virus.
Kosovo
The 500.000 Pfizer vaccines donation from the US, European Council removed the country from the Safe Countries List, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell on the country’s legal status. The doses will come through COVAX and are a substantial addition to the 35,000 doses delivered in August. The rising number of infections and deaths lead to the Council’s decision. Borrell stated that reaching an agreement with Serbia is the key to resolving the county’s legal status.
Montenegro
The Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Joanikije and Patriarch Porfirije were flown with helicopters to Cetinje Monastery, President Djukanovic joined the protestors blocking approach to Cetinje Monastery, and Joanikije was enthroned for the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral. Prime Minister Krivokapic assisted in providing the helicopters and Anti-Terrorism Unit as an escort. Djukanovic stated that “only a man without dignity would allow himself to be brought to the Cetinje monastery by helicopter landing on the Montenegrin capital and under the protection of bulletproof vests.” Joanikije and Porfirije were flown back to Podgorica after the ceremony.
North Macedonia
The first census in two decades commenced, trade boost with Greece, and annual Producer Price Index (PPI) growth accelerated in July. The last census showed almost two-thirds of the country’s two million people were Macedonians, and a quarter were ethnic Albanians. Foreign Minister Osmani and his Greek counterpart Dendias agreed that bilateral ties had improved steadily since the two countries reached a deal that changed the country’s name. PPI increased by an annual 9.9% in July, accelerating from a 7.3% year-over-year growth in the previous month.
Serbia
Pro-EU feeling decreasing in the region, Austrian Chancellor Kurz met President Vucic, and Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu visited the country. Vucic used the North Macedonia accession talks blockade as one of the reasons for the present lack of EU enthusiasm. Vucic presented to Kurz the “Order of the Republic of Serbia on the Ribbon” for his services to relations with Serbia and the entire Western Balkans region. Cavusoglu praised the bilateral relations, mentioned passport-free travel for citizens of both countries, and opened Consulate General in Novi Pazar.