Croatia advises its nationals to postpone non-essential travel to Serbia

Croatia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Croatian nationals to postpone all non-essential travel to Serbia, national broadcaster HRT reported.

“Considering that random road blockages often occur as a result of citizen protests, it is impossible to predict the traffic situation and potential difficulties that could significantly affect traffic throughout the country. Croatian citizens are particularly recommended to avoid places where large numbers of people gather”, the ministry said in its statement.

Since June 28, protests, blockades and acts of civil disobedience have continued in Belgrade and other major cities, with protesters demanding early elections. Many people have been arrested during the clashes between police and those dissatisfied with President Aleksandar Vučić’s government.

VAT rate in Romania to increase from 19% to 21%

Romania’s Premier Ilie Bolojan announced that from August 1, the VAT rate in the country will increase from 19% to 21%, and for food and medicines from 9% to 11%. He recalled that last year Romania had the largest budget deficit in the EU — 9.3% of GDP. Premier Bolojan also stated that excise duties on alcohol, fuel and tobacco will increase by 10%. Many labor bonuses will be eliminated. Pensions and public sector salaries will be frozen in 2026. Other taxes will also be raised starting next year.

Since July 1, electricity prices for household consumers have been liberalized, resulting in a 100% increase for half of the households, according to Digi24.

Romania’s 2025 budget is based on an economic growth forecast of 2.5%. The National Bank of Romania’s forecast for annual inflation is 3.8%.

Arrests and violence in Turkiye over alleged depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in a cartoon

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office ordered the arrest of three editors from the satirical magazine LeMan, reported BTA. On June 26, the magazine released a cartoon that allegedly depicts the Prophet Muhammad.

A copy of the black-and-white image posted on social media shows men hovering in the sky, identified as prophets Muhammad and Moses, shaking hands above a city struck by rockets and bombs.

Following the news, protesters attacked a bar in central Istanbul frequented by the magazine’s staff, leading to clashes with the police.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the cartoonist Doğan Pehlivan had been arrested. The magazine claims that the cartoon does not depict the Prophet Muhammad.

Nearly half of young people in North Macedonia do not believe their country will join the EU

41% of young people in North Macedonia have a positive or very positive view of the European Union. Meanwhile, 24% have a negative view and nearly 35% remain undecided, indicate data of a survey conducted by the Institute for Good Governance and Euro-Atlantic Perspective in Skopje and the European Centre of Excellence in Brussels. The poll shows that 46.5% of respondents do not believe their country will become an EU member, while 35.8% see this possibility in the more distant future. Only 6.7% believe it will happen within the next five years.

According to 84.6% of respondents, corruption is the biggest obstacle to EU integration. Additionally, 60% of respondents have low trust in institutions. Young people are most interested in opportunities to work and live in the EU - 76.2%. More than half of those surveyed believe Albania will join the EU within the next five years, reported BGNES.

On its path to the EU, Montenegro will open the archives of the Yugoslav secret services

The President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, stated that "true national reconciliation requires confronting the country’s totalitarian past and opening the archives of the Yugoslav secret services." He reaffirmed Montenegro’s determination to become a member of the EU, emphasizing strong public support and progress in the negotiation process, while also highlighting the need for effective fight against organized crime and corruption.

According to the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Montenegro Marjan Šarec, further progress depends on key reforms in the judiciary, media freedom and electoral legislation. Šarec urged Montenegro to avoid political polarization and remain focused on its European aspirations, RTCG reported.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov