Dragoș Ioniță
@dragosionita.bsky.social
Researcher of Europeanization and #EUenlargement in the #WesternBalkans; MA in Diplomacy and International Negotiations at #SNSPA Bucharest
#Balkan Region enthusiast
Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dragos-Ionita-6
#Balkan Region enthusiast
Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dragos-Ionita-6
Much of the older archive material on ministerial websites in #NorthMacedonia has disappeared during a botched redesign – a disturbing development for a country whose history remains disputed.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/27/4...
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/27/4...
404 Not Found: Archives Vanish from North Macedonia’s Revamped Govt Websites
Much of the older archive material on ministerial websites has disappeared during a botched redesign – a disturbing development for a country whose history remains disputed.
balkaninsight.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Much of the older archive material on ministerial websites in #NorthMacedonia has disappeared during a botched redesign – a disturbing development for a country whose history remains disputed.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/27/4...
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/27/4...
“ #Serbia is not over-indebted to #China in terms of the overall level of debt, but the debt growth rate and the issue of its concentration among creditors can be a warning sign.”
www.bbc.com/serbian/arti...
www.bbc.com/serbian/arti...
Koliko i za šta sve Srbija duguje Kini - BBC News na srpskom
Stotine miliona dolara stiglo je od kineskih državnih banaka u Srbiju u vidu kredita za poslednjih četvrt veka, često pod posebnim uslovima, pokazuje analiza međunarodne organizacije koja je pratila t...
www.bbc.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:45 AM
“ #Serbia is not over-indebted to #China in terms of the overall level of debt, but the debt growth rate and the issue of its concentration among creditors can be a warning sign.”
www.bbc.com/serbian/arti...
www.bbc.com/serbian/arti...
#Serbia has not made a single step towards the EU for 3.5 years. Yet recently, something unexpected happened – #France and #Italy gave Belgrade a boost and sent a letter to the other member states urging them to give the green light for opening Cluster 3.
www.serbianmonitor.com/en/france-an...
www.serbianmonitor.com/en/france-an...
France and Italy launch offensive for Serbia – Serbian Monitor
Serbia has not made a single step towards the European Union (EU) for three and a half years, and in recent days, something unexpected happened – France and Italy have decided to push Belgrade towards...
www.serbianmonitor.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:17 AM
#Serbia has not made a single step towards the EU for 3.5 years. Yet recently, something unexpected happened – #France and #Italy gave Belgrade a boost and sent a letter to the other member states urging them to give the green light for opening Cluster 3.
www.serbianmonitor.com/en/france-an...
www.serbianmonitor.com/en/france-an...
Drone incursions in #Romania and #Moldova have raised fears among residents near the Danube River, leading to temporary evacuations.
Romania has legislation to shoot down drones during peacetime, but has not yet used.
www.rferl.org/a/romanian-d...
Romania has legislation to shoot down drones during peacetime, but has not yet used.
www.rferl.org/a/romanian-d...
Romanian Mayor Says His Village Now 'Part Of The War' Amid Russian Drone Incursions
German and Romanian fighter jets scrambled on November 25 to track the latest in a series of drone incursions into the NATO-member’s airspace as Russia continues to attack targets just across the Danu...
www.rferl.org
November 27, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Drone incursions in #Romania and #Moldova have raised fears among residents near the Danube River, leading to temporary evacuations.
Romania has legislation to shoot down drones during peacetime, but has not yet used.
www.rferl.org/a/romanian-d...
Romania has legislation to shoot down drones during peacetime, but has not yet used.
www.rferl.org/a/romanian-d...
For the 4th consecutive year, the annual gathering of EU leaders with their counterparts from the #WesternBalkans will take place on the eve of the last European Council of the year. In 2026, it will move to #Montenegro, for the 2nd time ever in the region.
newunionpost.eu/2025/11/27/e...
newunionpost.eu/2025/11/27/e...
The 2025 EU-Western Balkans Summit set for 17 December
As has now become tradition, the EU-Western Balkans Summit will be held in Brussels, on the eve of the last European Council of the year
newunionpost.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM
For the 4th consecutive year, the annual gathering of EU leaders with their counterparts from the #WesternBalkans will take place on the eve of the last European Council of the year. In 2026, it will move to #Montenegro, for the 2nd time ever in the region.
newunionpost.eu/2025/11/27/e...
newunionpost.eu/2025/11/27/e...
#Poland is gearing up for one of its most ambitious projects yet — officials have announced plans to begin formal talks next year on submitting a bid to host the 𝟮𝟬𝟰𝟬 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀.
www.polskieradio.pl/395/7991/Art...
www.polskieradio.pl/395/7991/Art...
Poland eyes bid to host 2040 Summer Olympics
Poland plans to begin talks next year on formally submitting a bid to host the 2040 Summer Olympic Games, officials have said.
www.polskieradio.pl
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 PM
#Poland is gearing up for one of its most ambitious projects yet — officials have announced plans to begin formal talks next year on submitting a bid to host the 𝟮𝟬𝟰𝟬 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀.
www.polskieradio.pl/395/7991/Art...
www.polskieradio.pl/395/7991/Art...
A new brief for CeSPI's Balkan Focus analyses #Montenegro’s accession trajectory, highlighting structural weaknesses within #EUenlargement framework and identifying priority actions to meet Podgorica’s goals of joining the Union by 2028.
More: www.cespi.it/sites/defaul...
More: www.cespi.it/sites/defaul...
November 26, 2025 at 7:24 AM
A new brief for CeSPI's Balkan Focus analyses #Montenegro’s accession trajectory, highlighting structural weaknesses within #EUenlargement framework and identifying priority actions to meet Podgorica’s goals of joining the Union by 2028.
More: www.cespi.it/sites/defaul...
More: www.cespi.it/sites/defaul...
President Aleksandar Vučić says the Serbian government adopted his proposal to give Russian partners 50 days to find a new owner for Petroleum Industry of Serbia, otherwise #Serbia will install its own management & offer Russia “the highest possible price.”
europeanwesternbalkans.com/2025/11/25/v...
europeanwesternbalkans.com/2025/11/25/v...
Vučić: We will give the Russians a 50-day deadline to find a new owner of NIS - European Western Balkans
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić states that Serbia will give the Russian partners a 50-day deadline to find a new owner of NIS.
europeanwesternbalkans.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
President Aleksandar Vučić says the Serbian government adopted his proposal to give Russian partners 50 days to find a new owner for Petroleum Industry of Serbia, otherwise #Serbia will install its own management & offer Russia “the highest possible price.”
europeanwesternbalkans.com/2025/11/25/v...
europeanwesternbalkans.com/2025/11/25/v...
One year since the beginning of mass protests in #Serbia, director Raul Abellan accepted the invitation to discuss with students from #SNSPA after the screening of his documentary "Wake Up, Serbia! #Pumpaj: The Student Uprising".
The movie can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
The movie can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
November 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
One year since the beginning of mass protests in #Serbia, director Raul Abellan accepted the invitation to discuss with students from #SNSPA after the screening of his documentary "Wake Up, Serbia! #Pumpaj: The Student Uprising".
The movie can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
The movie can be watched here: www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
#Albania's Gen Z sees EU membership as a solution to corruption, governance failures, and economic stagnation. They trust EU standards, especially in areas like food safety and education, and expect integration to improve everyday life.
www.biepag.eu/blog/albania...
www.biepag.eu/blog/albania...
BiEPAG - Albanian Gen Z and the EU: Between Enthusiasm and Knowledge Gaps
Between April and June 2025, a youth perception initiative explored how Albanian young people view the European Union and the country’s integration path. The volunteer initiative gathered insights from across the country and shared them with the EU Delegation to Albania as well as at the EU Enlargement Forum, ensuring that youth voices were part of the broader European conversation.
www.biepag.eu
November 25, 2025 at 1:06 PM
#Albania's Gen Z sees EU membership as a solution to corruption, governance failures, and economic stagnation. They trust EU standards, especially in areas like food safety and education, and expect integration to improve everyday life.
www.biepag.eu/blog/albania...
www.biepag.eu/blog/albania...
The President disregards the dangerous provisions of the US-proposed "peace deal". The Parliament in Bucharest is absent from a common statement regarding the need to respect #Ukraine's territorial integrity & sovereignty.
And some still wonder why is #Romania absent from the negotiating table... 🤔
And some still wonder why is #Romania absent from the negotiating table... 🤔
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 AM
The President disregards the dangerous provisions of the US-proposed "peace deal". The Parliament in Bucharest is absent from a common statement regarding the need to respect #Ukraine's territorial integrity & sovereignty.
And some still wonder why is #Romania absent from the negotiating table... 🤔
And some still wonder why is #Romania absent from the negotiating table... 🤔
#Europe is not in the driving seat regarding the peace negotiations for #Ukraine, but it does have a plan. Elements of it are known since the very beginning of the war.
mihaelagherghisannaum.substack.com/p/why-didnt-...
mihaelagherghisannaum.substack.com/p/why-didnt-...
Why didn’t Europe come up with a peace plan first?
Answer: it already did and it’s now taking care of its interests
mihaelagherghisannaum.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 AM
#Europe is not in the driving seat regarding the peace negotiations for #Ukraine, but it does have a plan. Elements of it are known since the very beginning of the war.
mihaelagherghisannaum.substack.com/p/why-didnt-...
mihaelagherghisannaum.substack.com/p/why-didnt-...
Since #China's Zijin Mining Group acquired #Serbia's only copper and precious metals producer in 2018, it has become one of the country's largest exporters, with earnings nearing 1 billion euros by the end of 2024.
www.rferl.org/a/china-balk...
www.rferl.org/a/china-balk...
From Mines To Solar Plants, Chinese Projects Face Rare Legal Setbacks In The Balkans
In a rare instance of public resistance to Chinese-backed infrastructure projects in the Balkans, a tragic workplace death at a solar power plant in Bosnia has sparked a legal battle that halted const...
www.rferl.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Since #China's Zijin Mining Group acquired #Serbia's only copper and precious metals producer in 2018, it has become one of the country's largest exporters, with earnings nearing 1 billion euros by the end of 2024.
www.rferl.org/a/china-balk...
www.rferl.org/a/china-balk...
Over the 10 years, #Albania has undergone significant transformations, experiencing economic growth with GDP averaging around 4%, a reduction in poverty & the expansion of tourism. Infrastructure projects have reshaped the country’s economic landscape.
tiranaobservatory.com/2025/11/23/a...
tiranaobservatory.com/2025/11/23/a...
Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility - Tirana Observatory
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transforma...
tiranaobservatory.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Over the 10 years, #Albania has undergone significant transformations, experiencing economic growth with GDP averaging around 4%, a reduction in poverty & the expansion of tourism. Infrastructure projects have reshaped the country’s economic landscape.
tiranaobservatory.com/2025/11/23/a...
tiranaobservatory.com/2025/11/23/a...
The #EUenlargement process is a regatta, not a convoy. The process remains merit based & every candidate country must fulfil the accession criteria. European integration remains an ongoing process, even after the accession, progressing through successive dimensions.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-enl...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-enl...
EU Enlargement – a geopolitical imperative.
Between regatta and convoy: perspectives of the European project
On November 4, the European Commission published its annual EU Enlargement Package. Currently, there are nine official candidate countries for EU membership (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Mo...
www.linkedin.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The #EUenlargement process is a regatta, not a convoy. The process remains merit based & every candidate country must fulfil the accession criteria. European integration remains an ongoing process, even after the accession, progressing through successive dimensions.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-enl...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-enl...
"The Trump administration must hold firm to its sanctions. In fact, #Washington should take this opportunity to recalibrate its broader policy toward #Serbia. For too long, Belgrade has received a free pass for limiting domestic political freedoms."
www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
Trump should reject Serbia sanctions waiver request
Serbia and Russia are lobbying frantically for a reprieve from U.S. sanctions on Serbia’s oil and gas company, NIS, which Washington targeted due to its majority Russian ownership. Belgrade...
www.fdd.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
"The Trump administration must hold firm to its sanctions. In fact, #Washington should take this opportunity to recalibrate its broader policy toward #Serbia. For too long, Belgrade has received a free pass for limiting domestic political freedoms."
www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
www.fdd.org/analysis/202...
"Civil society is accused of serving foreign interests, but our only interest is to serve people in #Serbia, to recognize and respond to their needs. And even if citizens don’t understand it that way, we work for them."
neweasterneurope.eu/2025/11/21/s...
neweasterneurope.eu/2025/11/21/s...
Serbia: “The government’s “expecting violence” rhetoric is a clear warning sign… that they’re preparing to create it.”
An interview with Jovana Spremo, Advocacy Director at the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM). Interviewer: The Human Rights House Foundation.
neweasterneurope.eu
November 23, 2025 at 1:33 PM
"Civil society is accused of serving foreign interests, but our only interest is to serve people in #Serbia, to recognize and respond to their needs. And even if citizens don’t understand it that way, we work for them."
neweasterneurope.eu/2025/11/21/s...
neweasterneurope.eu/2025/11/21/s...
#Croatia's government decided to add a further 30 items to a list of 70 basic products with capped prices in a bid to to ease inflationary pressure on citizens. Prices of goods and services for personal consumption in Croatia increased by an annual 4.0% in October.
seenews.com/news/croatia...
seenews.com/news/croatia...
Croatia caps prices of 30 more products to tackle inflation
Croatia's government decided on Thursday to add a further 30 items to a list of 70 basic products with capped prices in a bid to to ease inflationary pressure on citizens.
seenews.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM
#Croatia's government decided to add a further 30 items to a list of 70 basic products with capped prices in a bid to to ease inflationary pressure on citizens. Prices of goods and services for personal consumption in Croatia increased by an annual 4.0% in October.
seenews.com/news/croatia...
seenews.com/news/croatia...
#China appears to have sold a high-end military spy satellite to Russia, despite Beijing's claim of neutrality in the #Ukraine war.
The satellite flies over Ukrainian battlefields twice each morning in daylight hours at an altitude of some 500km.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
The satellite flies over Ukrainian battlefields twice each morning in daylight hours at an altitude of some 500km.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Russia using Chinese spy satellite in Ukraine war, expert says
China appears to have sold a high-end military spy satellite to Russia, despite Beijing's claim of neutrality in the Ukraine war.
euobserver.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM
#China appears to have sold a high-end military spy satellite to Russia, despite Beijing's claim of neutrality in the #Ukraine war.
The satellite flies over Ukrainian battlefields twice each morning in daylight hours at an altitude of some 500km.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
The satellite flies over Ukrainian battlefields twice each morning in daylight hours at an altitude of some 500km.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
In a joint statement, the leaders of #UnitedKingdom, #Germany, #France, #Spain, and #Italy, along with top EU officials and the leaders of #Japan and #Canada, warned that borders "must not be changed by force."
www.rferl.org/a/geneva-tal...
www.rferl.org/a/geneva-tal...
With Europe's Backing, Ukraine To Meet US Officials In Crucial Geneva Talks
Ukrainian officials are set to meet with US counterparts in Geneva to discuss President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan -- one that Kyiv’s allies have said is highly tilted in Russia’s favor.
www.rferl.org
November 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
In a joint statement, the leaders of #UnitedKingdom, #Germany, #France, #Spain, and #Italy, along with top EU officials and the leaders of #Japan and #Canada, warned that borders "must not be changed by force."
www.rferl.org/a/geneva-tal...
www.rferl.org/a/geneva-tal...
Lawmakers in #Poland have passed a resolution calling on the government to relocate Russia’s embassy in Warsaw amid rising fears of sabotage, citing concerns over the mission’s close proximity to key government buildings.
tvpworld.com/90140989/pol...
tvpworld.com/90140989/pol...
Polish MPs call for Russian embassy’s relocation as security fears grow
The lawmakers stressed that the embassy’s current location poses security risks.
tvpworld.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Lawmakers in #Poland have passed a resolution calling on the government to relocate Russia’s embassy in Warsaw amid rising fears of sabotage, citing concerns over the mission’s close proximity to key government buildings.
tvpworld.com/90140989/pol...
tvpworld.com/90140989/pol...
Three countries, only two appropriate reactions to the latest "peace deal" proposed by the US.
We need a firm common stance against plans to force #Ukraine into a disastrous capitulation.
#Romania, please listen to & read carefully the clear positions taken by #Poland & #Lithuania.
We need a firm common stance against plans to force #Ukraine into a disastrous capitulation.
#Romania, please listen to & read carefully the clear positions taken by #Poland & #Lithuania.
November 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Three countries, only two appropriate reactions to the latest "peace deal" proposed by the US.
We need a firm common stance against plans to force #Ukraine into a disastrous capitulation.
#Romania, please listen to & read carefully the clear positions taken by #Poland & #Lithuania.
We need a firm common stance against plans to force #Ukraine into a disastrous capitulation.
#Romania, please listen to & read carefully the clear positions taken by #Poland & #Lithuania.
#Croatia’s normalization of the neo-Nazi far-right is intrinsically linked to its undermining of democracy in post-war #BosniaHerzegovina, a country facing secession threats by a Bosnian Serb leader in its worst political crisis in peacetime.
www.justsecurity.org/125043/croat...
www.justsecurity.org/125043/croat...
Is Croatia Normalizing the Far Right in the Western Balkans?
The Croatian government appears to embrace far-right actions at home while undermining neighboring Bosnia's sovereignty and democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
#Croatia’s normalization of the neo-Nazi far-right is intrinsically linked to its undermining of democracy in post-war #BosniaHerzegovina, a country facing secession threats by a Bosnian Serb leader in its worst political crisis in peacetime.
www.justsecurity.org/125043/croat...
www.justsecurity.org/125043/croat...
Russia is committing mass atrocities against Ukraine.
A special tribunal for the crime of aggression is key to a just and lasting peace.
A joint @liberation.fr op-ed from Ministers of #Czechia, #Estonia, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Moldova #Norway, #Ukraine.
www.liberation.fr/idees-et-deb...
A special tribunal for the crime of aggression is key to a just and lasting peace.
A joint @liberation.fr op-ed from Ministers of #Czechia, #Estonia, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Moldova #Norway, #Ukraine.
www.liberation.fr/idees-et-deb...
Guerre en Ukraine : quatre-vingts ans après le procès de Nuremberg, un héritage à honorer
Un tribunal spécial pour le crime d’agression contre l’Ukraine de juger aujourd’hui la Russie, appellent sept ministres européens des Affaires étrangères.
www.liberation.fr
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Russia is committing mass atrocities against Ukraine.
A special tribunal for the crime of aggression is key to a just and lasting peace.
A joint @liberation.fr op-ed from Ministers of #Czechia, #Estonia, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Moldova #Norway, #Ukraine.
www.liberation.fr/idees-et-deb...
A special tribunal for the crime of aggression is key to a just and lasting peace.
A joint @liberation.fr op-ed from Ministers of #Czechia, #Estonia, #Latvia, #Lithuania, #Moldova #Norway, #Ukraine.
www.liberation.fr/idees-et-deb...
"This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens #Ukraine and divides America from #Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens #Ukraine and divides America from #Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...