Serbia has made little progress in its push for European integration in the time available. And whlie Belgrade is complacent about this, Brussels is lenient, knowing that an integrated Serbia is necessary for stability in the region

All western Balkan states depend heavily on their cooperation with the EU. If the EU crumbles under the weight of the economic crisis, what fate awaits the countries of the former Yugoslavia?

Regardless of how the latest remergence of tensions plays out, Kosovo-Serbia customs embargos will have an adverse effect on efforts to improve relations between Serbia and Kosovo, especially as both states entered negotiations with strong disapproval from their respective domestic opposition parties

The ‘fragile stability’ that persists in Bosnia can be best understood in the context of its neighbours: Republika Srpska’s Milorad Dodik derives a large portion of his strength from the weakness of his political opponents, whose behaviour and rhetoric often play directly into his hands. But Dodik could not maintain so assertive a position without the support he receives from Serbia

The latest opinion poll on the subject revealed that nearly three-quarters of those surveyed wouldn’t have informed the police about the fugitive’s secret location had it been known to them. Fortunately, their assistance was not needed.

Since the ICJ ruled Kosovo’s independence legal last year, Serbia’s position on Kosovo has become untenable, both politically and in international law. Will the country’s politicians finally recognise that it is in their own interests to recognise Kosovo?