foreign direct investment

China and EU compete for influence in Western Balkans: loans, infrastructure, geopolitics, and ESG risks.

Interviews & Discussions

Foreign Investment in the Western Balkans – an interview with Sonja Stojadinović

In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the Western Balkans have emerged as a focal point of strategic interest for both the European Union and China. A recent policy report by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw), co-authored by Branimir Jovanović and Blue Europe’s Sonja Stojadinović, provides a comprehensive…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2025-06-02

Policy Papers & Analyses

The Chinese influence in Serbia and the implications for its EU accession process

Antonella Benedetto – University of Trento Antonella Benedetto holds a Master’s Joint Degree in International Security Studies at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies together with the University of Trento. She previously earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at the University of Urbino. Passionate about EU-China relations, US-China relations, European Affairs…

Guest Author2024-09-20

Policy Papers & Analyses

The Implications of CEFC’s Investments in the Czech Republic for the Future of Chinese Investment in the CEE Region

Štěpař Roman - Charles University Roman Štěpař, a native of Prague, graduated with a Master's degree in International Relations from Charles University. He enriched his global outlook by studying in Taiwan, China and Korea. He is dedicated to promoting international cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding. His vision leads him to…

Guest Author2024-09-06

Policy Papers & Analyses

Making the Case for a New Coherent Bulgarian Strategy towards China: A Practitioner’s Analysis of Bilateral Relations

This contribution is part of the book “The Dragon at the Gates of Europe: Chinese presence in the Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe” (more info here) and has been selected for open access publication on Blue Europe website for a wider reach. Citation: Ganchev, Ivo, Making the Case for a New Coherent Bulgarian Strategy towards…

Ivo Ganchev2024-08-16

Interviews & Discussions

The multifaced relationship between the old continent and the Asian giant: discussion with Ewa Cieslik

Interview conducted by Jan Normann and Andrea Bogoni. In December 2023 Blue Europe published “The Dragon at the Gates of Europe: Chinese presence in the Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe” edited by Andrea Bogoni and Brian Fabrègue. The book analyses both broad international aspects and country-specific implications of Beijing’s role in…

Blue Europe2024-07-19

Рудник_Бакра_Мајндапек_-_Јужни_ревир_2018.

Interviews & Discussions

Just Finance International and their research about Chinese investments in the Western Balkans

Introduction Just Finance International (JFI) is a Dutch NGO focused on promoting transparency and accountability in global development and infrastructure finance. Their main activities include in-depth research on financial flows and advocating for climate and environmental justice, as well as human rights. They emphasize the impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects…

Blue Europe2024-07-12

Tarnița – Lăpuștești on the Someșul Cald River in Cluj County

Policy Papers & Analyses

China’s energy projects and investments in the Balkan countries: patterns and trends of cooperation

Elizabeth Yoneva – University of National and World Economy Elizabeth Yoneva is Associate Professor in the International Relations Department at the University of National and World Economy, Sofia (Bulgaria). She is also Vice-Dean in Scientific and Research Activity of the Faculty of International Economics and Politics. Her teaching activity and…

Guest Author2024-05-31

Policy Papers & Analyses

Opportunities for Three Seas Initiative countries for maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan

This contribution is part of the book “The Dragon at the Gates of Europe: Chinese presence in the Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe” (more info here) and has been selected for open access publication on Blue Europe website for a wider reach. Citation: Hazla, Marceli, Opportunities for Three Seas Initiative countries for maintaining diplomatic relations…

Marceli W. Hazla2024-05-10

Policy Papers & Analyses

The Belt and Road Initiative and its Impact on Serbia: A Delicate Balance

This contribution is part of the book “The Dragon at the Gates of Europe: Chinese presence in the Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe” (more info here) and has been selected for open access publication on Blue Europe website for a wider reach. Citation: Trivić, Slobodan, The Belt and Road Initiative and its Impact on…

Slobodan Trivić2024-03-29

vietnam, china, europe, poland, commerce, bilaterial relations

Briefs & Commentary

Can Poland diversify its East Asian trade via closer cooperation with Vietnam?

Since 2015, when the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Poland and China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was signed, the volume of trade between the two countries has grown steadily; from $17 billion in 2017 to $49 billion in 2021. However, the exchange is…

Marceli W. Hazla2024-03-08

Policy Papers & Analyses

Political and financial conditions for infrastructure investments of China and EU in the Western Balkan countries

This contribution is part of the book “The Dragon at the Gates of Europe: Chinese presence in the Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe” (more info here) and has been selected for open access publication on Blue Europe website for a wider reach. Citation: Stojadinovic, Sonja, Political and financial conditions for infrastructure investments of China and…

Sonja Stojadinovic2024-02-22

Policy Papers & Analyses

Turkey and Eastern Europe: an opportunity for economical development

Turkey's foreign policy agenda has been shaped for decades by the political arrangements of the Cold War. Turkey's unmistakable orientation towards the West is not a temporary phenomenon. It is a tradition that dates back to the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, initiated…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-04-14

foreign direct investment

Foreign Investment in the Western Balkans – an interview with Sonja Stojadinović

The Chinese influence in Serbia and the implications for its EU accession process

The Implications of CEFC’s Investments in the Czech Republic for the Future of Chinese Investment in the CEE Region

Making the Case for a New Coherent Bulgarian Strategy towards China: A Practitioner’s Analysis of Bilateral Relations

The multifaced relationship between the old continent and the Asian giant: discussion with Ewa Cieslik

Just Finance International and their research about Chinese investments in the Western Balkans

China’s energy projects and investments in the Balkan countries: patterns and trends of cooperation

Opportunities for Three Seas Initiative countries for maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan

The Belt and Road Initiative and its Impact on Serbia: A Delicate Balance

Can Poland diversify its East Asian trade via closer cooperation with Vietnam?

Political and financial conditions for infrastructure investments of China and EU in the Western Balkan countries

Turkey and Eastern Europe: an opportunity for economical development

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