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Austria and Slovenia advocate qualified majority voting to unblock EU enlargement

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 10h

Dropping unanimity requirement could accelerate the accession process for #Moldova, #Ukraine and potentially #WesternBalkans, but faces opposition from within the EU. #EUaccession www.intellinews.com/austria-and-...

Austria and Slovenia are among the European Union member states advocating for the introduction of qualified majority voting in decisions on EU ...

Herinneringen zijn fragmentarisch, gebeurtenissen geen keurige, chronologische lijn - Donau

Reposted by Frank Elbers

Donau @donaustroom.bsky.social · 13h

🚨 Nieuw op *Donau*: Donau-medewerker Casper Schaaf bespreekt Tea Tupajic's ‘Zwarte zomer’, en vraagt zich af staat hoe en wat je over de genocide in #Srebrenica schrijft. @koppernik.bsky.social www.donaustroom.eu/herinneringe...

Donau-medewerker Casper Schaaf bespreekt 'Zwarte zomer', en vraagt zich af hoe en wat je over de genocide in Srebrenica schrijft.

www.donaustroom.eu

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Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 16h

Belgrade braces for potential energy and financial fallout as US sanctions on majority Russian-owned NIS take effect. #serbia #energy #sanctions eualive.net/vucic-fears-...

Vučić fears US sanctions could trigger Serbian bank failures

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has warned of severe consequences for the country from US sanctions ...

eualive.net

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 1d

🇦🇱 #Albania, 🇲🇩 #Moldova, 🇲🇪 #Montenegro and 🇲🇰#NorthMacedonia are now full members of the Single Euro Payments Area (#SEPA), allowing citizens and businesses to process euro transfers at the same rates and speeds as those in European Union member states.

Rifts on show at EU-Western Balkan summit in Albania

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 1d

Leaders of the #WesternBalkans gathered in the Albanian coastal city of Durrës on Monday for the annual Brdo-Brijuni Process summit, an initiative aimed at promoting regional cooperation and advancing the region’s long-delayed path toward EU membership. www.intellinews.com/rifts-on-sho...

Leaders of the Western Balkans gathered in the Albanian coastal city of Durrës on Monday for the annual Brdo-Brijuni Process summit, an initiative ...

Russia struggles to restore gas payments to Moldova’s separatist Transnistria region

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 1d

#Russia is seeking a new intermediary to facilitate payments for natural gas deliveries to #Moldova 's breakaway #Transnistria region, after European banks reportedly blocked financial transfers routed through Dubai. #energy
www.intellinews.com/russia-strug...

Russia is seeking a new intermediary to facilitate payments for natural gas deliveries to Moldova’s breakaway Transnistrian region, after European ...

Een poëtische omgang met de dood - Donau

Reposted by Frank Elbers

Donau @donaustroom.bsky.social · 1d

🚨 Nieuw op Donau: De Poolse schrijver Urszula Honek heeft vele prijzen gewonnen voor haar debuut 'Witte nachten'. Uitgeverij De Bezige Bij bracht onlangs een Nederlandse editie uit, vertaald door @charlottepothuizen.bsky.social. Een recensie van Tiewen Visser.
www.donaustroom.eu/witte-nachte...

In augustus kwam de Nederlandse vertaling van Białe noce (‘Witte nachten’) van Urszula Honek uit.

www.donaustroom.eu

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Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 1d

Sali Berisha, leader of Democratic Party, #Albania 's main opposition force, said on Monday that the party will back Florjan Binaj, an actor and activist, in the campaign to be #Tirana 's mayor in November’s election. balkaninsight.com/2025/10/06/a...

Albania’s Opposition Backs Actor-Activist for Tirana Mayor

The Democratic Party declared its support for an independent candidate, the actor Florjan Binaj - who is known for lampooning Prime Minister Edi Rama - in Tirana’s high-profile mayoral byelection next...

Croatia prepares to reintroduce military service in response to Europe's new security situation

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 1d

#Serbia may hold early presidential, general elections in December 2026: Vučić.
newsmaxbalkans.com/english/vest...

newsmaxbalkans.com

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 2d

#Croatia 's government has submitted amendments to its Defence Act and Armed Forces Service Act to parliament that would reintroduce basic military training for young citizens, 17 years after the country abolished compulsory military service. #defence www.intellinews.com/croatia-prep...

Croatia’s government has submitted amendments to its Defence Act and Armed Forces Service Act to parliament that would reintroduce basic military ...

Bulgarian government funds free transport for Ukrainian pupils who have temporary protection

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 2d

#Bulgaria: The cabinet approved on October 3th a sum of 385,750 leva to provide free transportation to school for children and pupils from #Ukraine who have temporary protection in the country. #UkrainianRefugeeCrisis sofiaglobe.com/2025/10/03/b...

Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved on October 3 a sum of 385 750 leva to provide free transportation to school for children and pupils from Ukraine who have temporary protection in the country, the …

sofiaglobe.com

Ook Kroatische studenten vechten om een kamer - Frank Elbers | journalist

Reposted by Frank Elbers

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 8d

Nu het nieuwe academische jaar op 1 oktober van start gaat, worden studenten in Zagreb geconfronteerd met een ernstig woningtekort. Mijn verhaal in @groene.nl deze week. #kroatië #studentenhuisvesting
frankelbers.info/2025/09/24/o...

In Zagreb kost het grote moeite om een eenpersoonskamer te vinden voor minder dan 450 euro per maand.

frankelbers.info

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Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 4d

#Montenegro: Seven men accused of digging a tunnel into a storage depot where evidence for trials was kept by the Higher Court in Podgorica were acquitted because of a lack of proof.
balkaninsight.com/2025/10/03/m...

Montenegro Clears Defendants Accused of Tunnelling into Court Storage

Seven men accused of digging a tunnel into a storage depot where evidence for trials was kept by the Higher Court in Podgorica were acquitted because of a lack of proof.

In Defence Push, Romania Launches Volunteer Military Training Programme

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 5d

Against a backdrop of growing regional insecurity, #Romania is pushing to rejuvenate and expand its depleted reserve forces. #defence balkaninsight.com/2025/10/02/i...

Against a backdrop of growing regional insecurity, Romania is pushing to rejuvenate and expand its depleted reserve forces.

Bosnia adopts reform agenda to unlock EU funds

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 5d

#Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Council of Ministers has adopted a wide-ranging reform plan required to access funds from the European Union’s €6billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. If approved in Brussels, Bosnia could secure up to €917mn. #EUGrowthPlan www.intellinews.com/bosnia-adopt...

Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Council of Ministers has adopted a wide-ranging reform plan required to access funds from the European Union’s €6bn ...

Council of Europe lifts monitoring on Bulgaria amid unprecedented rule of law crisis

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 5d

Hours after PACE's decision, the Bulgarian Supreme Court announced it did not recognise the country’s chief prosecutor as legitimate. #bulgaria #ruleoflaw
eualive.net/council-of-e...

While the liberals in the European Parliament call for freezing EU funds for Bulgaria over ...

eualive.net

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 5d

#Kosovo 's top court prohibited lawmakers from continuing with parliamentary business, extending a political stalemate that’s left the Balkan nation unable to form a new government seven months after an election.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Kosovo Top Court Extends Deadlock in Ruling Over Parliament

Kosovo’s top court prohibited the country’s lawmakers from continuing with parliamentary business, extending a political stalemate that’s left the Balkan nation unable to form a new government seven m...

www.bloomberg.com

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 6d

#Serbia: In late September 2025, Serbian police executed two significant arrest operations targeting activities linked to Russian interests, raising questions about President Aleksandar Vučić’s motives.
eualive.net/serbias-arre...

Serbia’s arrests signal Vučić’s balancing act amid Russian influence concerns

In late September 2025, Serbian police executed two significant arrest operations targeting activities linked to ...

eualive.net

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 7d

#Bosnia: The Bosnian Serb strongman Milorad Dodik has named his candidate for the November 23 presidential elections in the Serb-led entity, finally acknowledging his court conviction and exclusion from office in August. balkaninsight.com/2025/10/01/d...

Dodik Concedes and Nominates Successor as Bosnian Serb Leader

The Bosnian Serb strongman has named his candidate for the November 23 presidential elections in the Serb-led entity, finally acknowledging his court conviction and exclusion from office in August.

Moldova’s economy turns to growth in Q2, helped by investments

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 7d

#Moldova 's GDP increased by 1.1% y/y in Q2, driven by the higher volume of construction and the utilities sector, after a three-quarter recession prompted by the weak harvest last year, according to data published by the statistics bureau BNS. www.intellinews.com/moldova-s-ec...

Moldova’s GDP increased by 1.1% y/y in Q2 (chart), driven by the higher volume of construction and the utilities sector, after a three-quarter ...

Pro-EU party wins Moldova polls with over 50% of the vote

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 8d

🇲🇩🗳️ #Moldova 's pro-European party has claimed a major victory in the country's parliamentary elections, defeating their Russia-aligned opponent. My commentary for TRT World last night. #alegeriparlamentare2025
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezU8...

YouTube video by TRT World Now

www.youtube.com

Frank Elbers @franckelbers.bsky.social · 8d

#Moldova: PAS and president Maia aim to complete EU accession chapters by 2028, before the next general election. The pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won majority of votes in the election on Sunday and will hold 55 of the total 101 seats in parliament. www.intellinews.com/moldova-aims...

Moldova aims for rapid EU accession process after PAS election victory

Moldova's President Maia Sandu stressed on September 29 that European Union accession is a “meritocratic” process, adding that the country will ...