All eyes are on #Iceland ahead of the 29 August #referendum on whether to reopen #EU accession talks. The outcome could resonate well beyond Reykjavík -particularly in #Norway, where opposition leaders are also calling for a renewed EU debate.
Nina Vujanović
@nina-vujanovic.bsky.social
Economist @bruegel.org | Europe beyond the EU, productivity, FDI, innovation
All eyes are on #Iceland ahead of the 29 August #referendum on whether to reopen #EU accession talks. The outcome could resonate well beyond Reykjavík -particularly in #Norway, where opposition leaders are also calling for a renewed EU debate.
In Jan '26, the #EU and #India finalised free trade agreement #FTA after 2decades of negotiations, delivering major #tariff liberalisation & marking India’s most ambitious trade deal Yet, in @bruegel.org paper, @aligarciaherrero.bsky.social Sengupta & I argue that big economic opportunity is missed!
Alicia Garcia Herrero 艾西亞@aligarciaherrero.bsky.social · 2mo agoSharing our paper that I co-authored with Rajeswari Sengupta and Nina Vujanović for @bruegel.org: "Beyond tariffs: why #Europe and #India must prioritise investment into manufacturing". www.bruegel.org/working-pape...
📊 Chart of the week: India FDI inflows by origin ($ billions), 2006-2024 (excluding OFCs) 🏭 How can the #EU and #India build on their FTA to tap India's economic potential? 📝 By @aligarciaherrero.bsky.social, Rajeswari S. and @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/yBh6zhU #EconSky
In Jan '26, the #EU and #India finalised free trade agreement #FTA after 2decades of negotiations, delivering major #tariff liberalisation & marking India’s most ambitious trade deal Yet, in @bruegel.org paper, @aligarciaherrero.bsky.social Sengupta & I argue that big economic opportunity is missed!
Alicia Garcia Herrero 艾西亞@aligarciaherrero.bsky.social · 2mo agoSharing our paper that I co-authored with Rajeswari Sengupta and Nina Vujanović for @bruegel.org: "Beyond tariffs: why #Europe and #India must prioritise investment into manufacturing". www.bruegel.org/working-pape...
Sharing our paper that I co-authored with Rajeswari Sengupta and Nina Vujanović for @bruegel.org: "Beyond tariffs: why #Europe and #India must prioritise investment into manufacturing". www.bruegel.org/working-pape...
Beyond tariffs: why Europe and India must prioritise investment into manufacturing
bruegel.org
🏭 How can the #EU and #India build on their recently agreed free #trade agreement to tap India's economic potential? 📑 Working Paper by @aligarciaherrero.bsky.social, Rajeswari S. and @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/yBh6zhU #EconSky
Beyond tariffs: why Europe and India must prioritise investment into manufacturing
Improving economic policy
buff.ly
🇲🇪➡️🇪🇺 Today, we proposed how Montenegro will participate in the EU budget - contributing to it and benefiting from EU funding - once it joins our Union. Another milestone towards a stronger Europe.
The small Balkan country, which is expected to join the bloc in 2028, is set to receive farmers’ subsidies and regional payouts from the EU’s central cash pot once it becomes a full member.
Montenegro joining EU will cost ‘less than a coffee,’ says Commission
The Balkan country is estimated to receive €3 billion in EU funds from 2028 to 2034.
politico.eu
Macron and Merz propose a #phased EU enlargement: #singlemarket access #before accession, conditional on a broad package of #reforms. For this to work, their plan needs to be coupled with António Costa’s call to curb #veto power that can stall reform progress.
Bruegel@bruegel.org · 4mo ago🔑 #Macron and #Merz need to tackle the veto to really unlock #EU enlargement ❌ The role of vetoes in the enlargement process be reviewed for any plan to jumpstart progress to be effective. Read the First Glance by @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/fTOamjO #EconSky
Macron and Merz propose a #phased EU enlargement: #singlemarket access #before accession, conditional on a broad package of #reforms. For this to work, their plan needs to be coupled with António Costa’s call to curb #veto power that can stall reform progress.
Bruegel@bruegel.org · 4mo ago🔑 #Macron and #Merz need to tackle the veto to really unlock #EU enlargement ❌ The role of vetoes in the enlargement process be reviewed for any plan to jumpstart progress to be effective. Read the First Glance by @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/fTOamjO #EconSky
Great article. Protests in #Albania resemble students protests in #Serbia. For both to succeed, a #leader must emerge.
Lea Ypi@leaypi.bsky.social · 4mo agoI wrote about protests in Albania, Europe, development traps, oligarchic capture, and, well, hope. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
🔑 #Macron and #Merz need to tackle the veto to really unlock #EU enlargement ❌ The role of vetoes in the enlargement process be reviewed for any plan to jumpstart progress to be effective. Read the First Glance by @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/fTOamjO #EconSky
Macron and Merz need to tackle the veto to really unlock EU enlargement
A Franco-German plan to ease EU candidates into the single market should be accompanied by a reduction in the veto rights of current members
buff.ly
Macron & Merz proposed #phased #EUenlargement. For Montenegro- 18 years into its EU path and nearing reform completion- adding new stages now is hardly appealing. I thank @grimmse.bsky.social of @diepressecom.bsky.social, a knowledgeable journalist on the Balkans, for the interview at @bruegel.org
With contributions from @kvanbrempt.bsky.social, @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social, Marjan Šarec (@reneweurope.bsky.social) and an interview with the Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker. Sign up here⬇️
David Carretta@davidcarretta.bsky.social · 4mo agoThe Morning Post Europe is online Today’s story by @grimmse.bsky.social: “Montenegro Could Give the EU its First Victory in Two Decades” In our brief: a new methodology on enlargement; 11 countries vs visas for Russia; an “AI zar” with conflicts of interest 👇
What do EU officials need to know ahead of the #WesternBalkansSummit in #Tivat? @grimmse.bsky.social of @diepressecom.bsky.social summarised @bruegel.org paper on obstacles to integration of the Western Balkans into the EU value chains. What are they?:
"..Fears of security risks and foreign influence make it increasingly likely that the status quo won’t endure. “After the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the European Commission can present enlargement in that context,” said Nina Vujanović" a Montenegrin enlargement expert at @bruegel.org "
POLITICO Europe@politico.eu · 4mo agoFrance’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Friedrich Merz will join a group of EU leaders at a summit today as capitals try to reach consensus on how far, and how fast, the bloc’s enlargement process should go.
What do EU officials need to know ahead of the #WesternBalkansSummit in #Tivat? @grimmse.bsky.social of @diepressecom.bsky.social summarised @bruegel.org paper on obstacles to integration of the Western Balkans into the EU value chains. What are they?:
Cheaper roaming charges ahead of the #WesternBalkanSummit is not a game-changer for the region. Still, ‘This is very economically beneficial if you account for the large diaspora in the EU, but it’s also good for facilitating business,” I explained to @euractiv.com. www.euractiv.com/news/eu-pitc...
EU pitches cheaper roaming to Western Balkans ahead of summit | Euractiv
It comes amid calls to radically rethink the bloc's membership model
euractiv.com
🇪🇺 As EU and Western Balkan leaders meet this week at the EU-Western Balkans Summit today, Bruegel research has examined the region’s path towards closer integration with the European Union. ✨️ With financial support from @open-society.bsky.social Western Balkans #Econsky 1/5
In today's issue of "Thr Morning Post Europe", I'm picking up on an excellent new paper by @bruegel.org. It describes a paradox: the EU's pursuit of strategic autonomy is making it harder for the Western Balkans economies to integrate. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
Fortress EU is erecting new Obstacles for the Western Balkans
Good morning!
open.substack.com
Exposure to CBAM-covered goods ranges from 7.2% in North Macedonia to nearly 30% in Montenegro. Upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are likely to further increase compliance costs, particularly for large firms.
Our latest @bruegel.org uegel working paper shows that trade costs are not only a constraint for local firms and SMEs, but also for foreign firms seeking to integrate into EU supply chains. Key findings:
📊 Chart of the week: CBAM-product (excluding electricity) exposure by country,% of total exports to the EU 📑 Read the Working Paper by Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social & @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/6hQ05nh
Tariffs on industrial goods between the Western Balkans and the EU have been effectively eliminated for over two decades. Yet non-tariff barriers continue to pose significant hurdles, increasing trade costs for a region whose largest trading partner remains the EU.
Bruegel@bruegel.org · 4mo ago📦 Challenges to the integration of the Western Balkans into EU supply chains 📑By Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social Support from @open-society.bsky.social Western Balkans 🔗 www.bruegel.org/working-pape... #EconSky
Tariffs on industrial goods between the Western Balkans and the EU have been effectively eliminated for over two decades. Yet non-tariff barriers continue to pose significant hurdles, increasing trade costs for a region whose largest trading partner remains the EU.
Bruegel@bruegel.org · 4mo ago📦 Challenges to the integration of the Western Balkans into EU supply chains 📑By Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social Support from @open-society.bsky.social Western Balkans 🔗 www.bruegel.org/working-pape... #EconSky
📦 Challenges to the integration of the Western Balkans into EU supply chains 📑By Madalena Barata Da Rocha, @niclaspoitiers.bsky.social and @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social Support from @open-society.bsky.social Western Balkans 🔗 www.bruegel.org/working-pape... #EconSky
Challenges to the integration of the Western Balkans into European Union supply chains
Western Balkan EU integration has deepened, yet rising non-tariff barriers and new EU rules keep trade costs high despite zero tariffs
buff.ly
Trade costs associated with sanitary and phytosanitary (#SPS) measures and technical barriers to trade (#TBT) have risen significantly, creating substantial economic burdens in trade between the #WesternBalkan countries and their main partner - the #EU.
Great exchange with Montenegro #Minister of #Energy, @bruegel.org host @rebeccawire.bsky.social, R.Stubbe who with Maria Catarina Louro & me authored the study "The #WesternBalkan energy sector: between Russia, the #EU and the green transition" With EU accession #frontrunner we discussed 🔥topics:
Bruegel@bruegel.org · 6mo ago🎙️ Montenegro’s power connection to the EU How do Montenegro and the Western Balkans manage electricity, CBAM and the green transition? @rebeccawire.bsky.social with Admir Sahmanovic, Montenegro's Minister of Energy and Mining, @nina-vujanovic.bsky.social & Rouven Stubbe.
🔨 Hungary’s new beginning – under tight fiscal constraints The long-awaited change of government gives #Hungary an opportunity to tackle tough economic and social challenges while re-aligning with Europe. 🗞️ Read the First Glance by @zsoltdarvas.bsky.social 🔗 buff.ly/mWrFQ5V #EconSky
Hungary’s new beginning – under tight fiscal constraints
The long-awaited change of government gives Hungary an opportunity to tackle tough economic and social challenges while re-aligning with Europe
buff.ly