Albania and Montenegro mark progress in European integration in 2024

EU leaders met on December 18 with their counterparts from the Western Balkans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for finding solutions and compromises on open issues. "This sometimes slows down the process, but it always works," she said. President of the European Council Antonio Costa acknowledged that some countries that have been negotiating for membership for years are becoming increasingly impatient but pointed out that Montenegro and Albania have made "significant progress over the past year."

"The EU is already the largest economic partner and investor in the Western Balkans. It is and will remain the most reliable partner in the future," Costa added. The EU is providing financial assistance of 6 billion euros in the form of loans and grants to the region in the period 2024-2027, linked to the implementation of reforms, BTA recalls.

Romania's future rulers fail to agree on budget constraints

The Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania and the Save Romania Union failed to agree on a governing program for a future pro-European government. Marcel Ciolacu, current prime minister and leader of the Social Democratic Party, which won the biggest number of seats in parliament in the December 1 elections, announced that he was withdrawing from the negotiations. According to Reuters, the main dispute is over the budget deficit, which is the highest in the EU - 5.4% in November on an annual basis.

Meanwhile, the rating agency Fitch changed the outlook on Romania's credit rating from stable to negative at "BBB-", Digi24 television reported. In its reasons, Fitch cited factors such as "political risk and uncertainty", "undermined political trust", "fiscal deviations and unsustainable spending".

Tirana announces tender for railway line from Lake Skadar to Tirana and Durres

Tirana has announced an international competition for the construction of a railway line connecting Albania with Montenegro. In a speech at the opening ceremony of the competition, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku said that with the line, Albania will be part of the pan-European corridors, ATA news agency reported. "After the very good progress in the construction of the railway line connecting Tirana International Airport with Durres and Rinas, here is another cornerstone laid in the Albanian railways," she said. The line is 120 km long and will take 2 hours to travel. It starts in Vorë and ends in Han i Hotit and will have 12 stations. There will be 12 bridges and one tunnel along the line. The speed on the railway line is expected to be 120 km/h, Balluku also said. The railway line is expected to carry 2.3 million passengers and 900,000 tons of cargo annually.

Bosnia and Herzegovina restricts smoking in public spaces

A law banning smoking in enclosed public spaces has come into force in the Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, N1 TV reported. Establishments there will no longer place ashtrays on tables. The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed. A separate area for smokers in restaurants is planned, as food cannot be served there. In Bosnia, tobacco products are used by almost 1 million people out of a total population of 3.5 million. According to data from the World Health Organization, 35.5 percent of the Bosnian population are smokers, which puts the country in second place in Europe in terms of smoking. Serbia is in first place with 37.6%. The restaurant business is unhappy that they will have to invest in special ventilation equipment in smoking areas.

Belgrade's public transport becomes free

The mayor of the Serbian capital, Aleksandar Šapić, announced that from January 1, 2025, public transport in Belgrade will be free, Serbian national television RTS reported. Šapić pointed out that with the new social measure, the Serbian capital will become the only city in Europe that has free public transport for 2 million people. He added that there are smaller cities with free transport, but no cities as large as Belgrade. The Belgrade mayor also pointed out that in the next three years, the city's public transport fleet will be completely renewed.

"By the end of 2025, there will be no vehicles older than two years, except for those we bought in 2022," Šapić said.

Compiled by: Ivo Ivanov

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: europa.eu, romania-insider.com, Facebook Belinda/ Balluku, avaz.ba, sapic.rs