Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Experts: There will be no progress for the Western Balkans under France's EU presidency

Photo: europa.eu

The question of the European future in the Western Balkans will be among the priority topics of the French presidency of the Council of the EU, but serious progress on the subject is unlikely. The reason is the presidential election in April in France and the challenges surrounding the pandemic. However, the dialogue on the topic will continue, experts commented for BNR.

"France cannot fail to realize the contradictions in the Western Balkans - the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Authoritarianism is growing," said Raina Assenova, journalist from the Bulgarian News Agency BTA. "It is in Europe's strategic interest to change this situation, as there are forces trying to destabilize Europe through the Balkans. Russia, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are fighting for influence in the Balkans, and this is in strong competition with the EU" , Assenova thinks.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

St Ivan Rilski State Psychiatric Hospital

Mental health professionals launch a three-day nationwide protest

Three days of protests demanding better working conditions are to begin today in psychiatric hospitals and wards across the country. According to Dr Tsveteslava Galabova, head of the St Ivan Rilski State Psychiatric Hospital, psychiatric care is on..

published on 3/17/25 7:30 AM

Europe mourns the victims of the Koçani tragedy

A total of 59 people lost their lives and 155 were injured in a fire that flared up during a concert by the popular band DNK in North Macedonia last night. The fire erupted at the Pulse club in the town of Koçani, 65 km from the Bulgarian border.  Some of..

published on 3/16/25 8:47 PM
Zlatna Panega river, in the background St George the Great Martyr church in the town of Lukovit.

Wind, rain and a sharp drop in temperature

Overnight, clouds over the north and east will bring brief showers. There will be light to moderate westerly winds which will increase in strength on Monday, veering north-west and bringing in cold air. Showers will be widespread, especially in the..

published on 3/16/25 6:31 PM