- Kosovo’s Parliament failed to convene
The inaugural session of Kosovo’s parliament, which a vote was attempted for the 54th time late on the evening of July 26, again ended in failure. Deputies did not support the proposal of the Vetëvendosje (LVV) party for a secret ballot on the speaker candidate put forward by that political force.
After the parliamentary elections on February 9, 2025, the ruling Vetëvendosje party, led by the current acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, won 48 seats in the 120‑member assembly. Sixty‑one votes are required to make decisions.
Vetëvendosje was unable to form a coalition with other parties, nor was it possible to agree on a compromise candidate for the presidency of parliament.
At midnight on July 27, the 30‑day deadline set by Kosovo’s Constitutional Court for the formation of governing bodies and the start of the assembly’s full work expired. Thus, a provisional measure of the Constitutional Court prohibiting deputies from taking any decisions or actions came into effect. The restriction will remain in force until August 8.
It is expected that in the coming days the Constitutional Court will clarify the legal consequences for deputies and the steps that need to be taken next.
Analysts are confident that there is no option other than calling new parliamentary elections. The only question that remains open is setting the date for those elections.
- Turkey launched “Balkan Peace Platform”
On July 27 in Istanbul, the first meeting of the “Balkan Peace Platform” took place. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo joined the initiative launched by Turkey.
The platform’s goal is to strengthen regional cooperation and address regional problems at the regional level.
“Our aim is to form a platform where regional actors can honestly discuss all political, economic, security, and other challenges,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan at a press conference.
He emphasized that “the Balkans hold a strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean basin” and that “stability in the Balkans is of great importance, first and foremost for Europe, as well as for the peace and security of neighboring regions.”
Fidan stressed that for Turkey the Balkans are not only a strategically important territory but also a priority region with which it has strong historical, cultural, and other ties. He added that Turkey’s cooperation with the countries of the region progresses daily, and he believes that lasting peace and stability in the Balkans can be ensured by strengthening regional dialogue and cooperation.
He underscored the importance of prioritizing regional responsibility for solving regional issues and added that it was on this basis that the “Balkan Peace Platform” was launched. “We need to take responsibility, learn lessons from our shared history, and choose the path forward together. We must not leave the future to chance or to the will of others,” he said, stressing that it is time “to find Balkan solutions to Balkan problems.”
Fidan recalled the tensions between some Balkan countries but welcomed the fact that “no one wants a hot war or conflict as in the past,” emphasizing the consensus to resolve issues through diplomacy and dialogue.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister, Elmedin Konaković, who took part in the first ministerial meeting of the “Balkan Peace Platform,” stressed the importance of political dialogue and cooperation among Western Balkan countries, especially in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s complex internal situation. He noted that the current dynamics create challenges to BiH’s functionality, but also that there exist opportunities and readiness to overcome crises through constructive communication and responsible political actions.
He welcomed Turkey’s significant role as a regional partner and stabilizing factor, particularly through initiatives that promote peace, mutual understanding, and development among regional countries.
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Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić highlighted that Serbia considers every opportunity to discuss improving cooperation in the region necessary, adding that it is especially useful when such negotiations are initiated by the Balkan states themselves. He emphasized that Serbia supports the idea of holding talks on economic, security, political, and cultural cooperation under Balkan leadership rather than solely under the aegis of international organizations.
During the meeting, Đurić also lobbied Serbia’s interests, stressing the importance of open dialogue even on issues where there is no agreement, such as Kosovo’s status. “We must learn to discuss difficult topics and show more understanding for different points of view,” Đurić emphasized.
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The “Balkan Peace Platform” represents Turkey’s bid to increase its role in resolving frozen conflicts and political crises in the Western Balkans. Primarily, this concerns the Belgrade–Pristina relationship and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- EU to allocate €200 million for a motorway in Montenegro
Montenegro has signed a €200 million loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to build the second section of the strategic Bar–Boljare motorway. The new segment—Mateševo–Andrijevica—will connect the southern port of Bar to the country’s north and the border with Serbia. It will be 23.4 km long, and completion is expected by 2030.
The agreement was signed by the EBRD’s Western Balkans Director, Matteo Colangeli, and Montenegro’s Minister of Finance, Novica Vuković. At the same time, the European Union is providing a €150 million grant—the largest grant the EU has ever given to Montenegro.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajić stated that the legal and financial framework for the project is fully prepared despite difficulties and route changes. EU Ambassador Johann Sattler emphasized: “This is not a gift without obligations—it is an investment that requires transparency, European standards, and engagement of local communities.”
Previously, the project prompted protests by residents of Andrijevica over the planned demolition of dozens of homes. After discussions, the route was adjusted—only one holiday home will now be demolished. Transport Minister Maja Vukićević stated that a contractor will be selected by the end of September, and preparatory work will proceed under the five‑year plan.
Construction of the first section of the motorway (Smokovac–Mateševo, 41 km), carried out by the Chinese company CRBC, took seven years and cost Montenegro over a billion dollars, with numerous delays and problems. At that time, the EU had to step in to help the country avoid a foreign exchange debt risk.
- Albania and Turkey sign updated defense cooperation protocol
Albania’s Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, and his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Güler, signed an amendment to the “Protocol on Financial Assistance” that will equip the Albanian Armed Forces with 105 mm artillery systems.
According to Albania’s Ministry of Defense, the updated protocol expands the existing cooperation framework. Turkish support will now include training, logistics, transportation, and institutional assistance.
“The new agreement will directly improve infrastructure, increase operational capability, and strengthen the professional training of Albania’s Armed Forces personnel,” the ministry said.
Minister Vengu met with Minister Güler during a visit to Turkey to take part in the 17th International Defense Industry Fair—IDEF 2025.
The ministers discussed key topics for strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and Turkey in defense and security. A central topic was the development of Albania’s defense industry. “The Albanian government aims to transform this sector into a sustainable and competitive part of the national industry. Albania is ready to explore concrete cooperation opportunities with Turkish defense companies, including joint production and technology transfer. Participation in IDEF 25 provides a real platform to advance these goals,” Vengu said.
The participation in IDEF 2025 was regarded by Albania’s Ministry of Defense as “an excellent opportunity to attract foreign investors to Albania for potential manufacturing ventures in the defense industry.”
- EU losing trust in the Western Balkans – BiEPAG Report
The European Union is increasingly losing trust among the populations of the Western Balkans despite official rhetoric supporting reforms and euro‑integration. This is stated in the new analytical report “Why the EU Talks about Reforms but Feeds Decay in the Balkans,” published by the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG).
The report’s author, Jovana Marović, former Minister of European Affairs of Montenegro, notes that the EU, instead of consistently promoting democratic transformation, increasingly prioritizes stability at any cost, even if that means tolerating autocratic regimes.
“EU enlargement policy has become reactive and inconsistent. It is driven not by strategic vision, but by internal politics within Europe itself,” the document states.
BiEPAG emphasizes the deep gap between the EU’s official statements and the actual assessments of regional progress regularly provided by both the European Commission and independent observers. This undermines citizens’ trust and diminishes the transformative impact of the accession process.
The situation is particularly critical in Serbia, where according to the latest Eurobarometer, trust in the EU has fallen to 37%. The reason is anti‑European narratives that are sometimes promoted even by official structures, while Brussels avoids direct response.
Another vivid example of lost trust is North Macedonia. After the historic compromise with Greece over the country’s name change, it expected accession negotiations to begin, but was first met with a French veto and later by Bulgaria’s. The report calls this an “example of Brussels’ irresponsible policy.”
To restore trust in the European project, analysts propose several solutions:
- Set a firm accession deadline—by 2029 for countries meeting the criteria.
- Implement a progress certification system with sanction mechanisms for backsliding—such as suspension of funding or voting rights in EU institutions.
- Provide phased benefits on the path to membership—such as access to the EU market or observer status.
- Separate the accession process from bilateral disputes that block countries’ progress, as in the case of Bulgaria and North Macedonia.
- Involve civil society more deeply in reform processes.
The report also mentions the so‑called “Montenegro model”—structured roadmaps with clear reform phases that should serve as examples for other candidates. Thus the EU must either restore its role as a reliable force for reform or risk permanently losing trust in a region where support for integration is already weakening.
