Balkans
Prospects for the Balkans in 2020
Much of the region will experience political instability and economic slowdown
BalkansWestern Balkan growth is over-dependent on EU
Economic performance is a factor in shaping Western Balkan states’ viability and their populations’ desire to emigrate
BalkansGrowth will be too slow to lift Balkan joblessness
Kosovo is expected to grow fastest in Western Balkans, but employment will remain very low
BalkansChinese BRI in Balkans will rouse West’s concerns
Chinese investment will come nowhere near EU levels but Balkan governments will see it as a useful complement
ChinaProspects for Central-Eastern Europe to end-2019
Declining exports, EU funds and fixed investment will moderate growth; the EU will prioritise stability over enlargement
EuropeTurkey will not give up yet on EU perspective
Turkey is looking less and less like a credible candidate for EU membership while Albania and North Macedonia win praise
TurkeyGermany’s Balkan initiative will require new approach
As EU prepares for a new parliament, Germany makes a last-minute attempt to tackle growing Balkan problems
GermanyEU immigration policy is expanding its reach
EU border agency Frontex is starting operations in Albania to crackdown on irregular migration in the Balkans
Albania
