Greece temporarily closes route for migrants from North Africa

Greece is suspending for 3 months asylum applications from migrants arriving in Greece from North Africa by boat, EuroNews-Greece reported. "The route to Greece is closed," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced from the parliamentary rostrum, sending "a message to all traffickers and their potential clients that the money they spend may be completely wasted." According to him, all migrants who enter the country illegally will be arrested and detained.

Athens intends to inform the European Commission of legislative measures it is taking on the problem. The Greek government is holding talks on the subject with both governments in Libya - the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the government in Benghazi. The number of migrants arriving by sea from northeastern Libya is constantly growing. The media report that in the cities of Chania and Rethymno in Crete, the number of migrants exceeds 1,500 people.

Romania begins to fight deficit with strict economic measures

Romania is currently managing to avoid the possibility of being deprived of European funding. This became clear after the Minister of Finance presented in Brussels the package of fiscal and budgetary measures prepared by the government of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan against the excessive budget deficit of 9.3%, BTA reported. The new Romanian government of Bolojan adopted on July 7 the first package of fiscal measures, with which it aims to provide additional revenues in the budget, calculated for 2025 in a total amount of 10.75 billion leu. The measures include an increase in various taxes, fees and excise duties, including VAT, which is being raised from 19 to 21% on August 1. The announced measures caused public discontent and protests.

"Romania takes large loans every day to function and if this did not stop, we would end up being a country in which investment is not recommended," Ilie Bolojan warned while presenting the fiscal package in the Romanian parliament, Radio Romania International reported. "Any deviation from the proposed plan could lead to a downgrade of the country's rating, the latest report by the international rating agency Moody's warns.

North Macedonia has started construction of gas link with Greece

North Macedonia has started the construction of the 66.7-kilometer gas interconnector with Greece in the section from Gevgelija to Negotino, with an initial capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters per year, BTA reported, quoting the country's state news agency MIA. According to North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, the project will provide opportunities for new sources of natural gas, stable supplies, lower prices, greater competitiveness for companies and sends a strong message that the country is "finally becoming part of the European energy network."

The project is worth 59.9 million euros, provided with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the EU. The project should be ready in 2027. According to the Minister of Energy Sanja Bozinovska, the country will have a modern gas pipeline, with the possibility of doubling the capacity.

Increasing number of foreign workers choose Albania

Albania has registered a significant rise in the number of foreign citizens working in sectors with shortage of local staff. Most of them are employed in sectors such as tourism, construction and other services. 15-20% more foreigners came to Albania in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, when according to official data, 13,000 foreigners were hired with regular permits, Gazeta Tema reports. "As seasonal employment is becoming increasingly common in our region, it often occurs without clear rules and without protection for workers," the article reads. These are mainly workers from neighboring or more distant countries. Due to the new realities on the labour market, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, have started active cooperation to ensure safer working conditions for foreign workers.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

Publication in English: Alexander Markov

Photos: AP/BTA, BGNES, kurir.mk, gazetatema.net