Eurotopics.net

Following the most serious confrontation between Kosovo and Serbia in recent years, Europe's press is debating the future of the region. Under EU mediation the two countries are engaged in talks aimed at normalising their tense relations, but so far without results. Pristina is not willing to extend self-government rights for the predominantly ethnic Serb communities in Kosovo. Commentators examine the situation, also as regards Serbia.

After Azerbaijan's military victory in Nagorno-Karabakh thousands of Armenian civilians are fleeing the region, fearing either forced displacement or oppression by the new Azerbaijani rulers. A large explosion near the regional capital Stepanakert on Monday night which killed at least 20 people and left hundreds injured has fuelled fears for their safety. Europe's press voices deep concern.

Local elections will take place in Bulgaria at the end of October. In a surprise move, the Gerb party led by former prime minister Boyko Borisov has nominated Anton Hekimyan, director of News and Current Affairs at TV station bTV, as its mayoral candidate for the capital Sofia. This will tarnish the reputation of journalism in the country, the Bulgarian press fears.

Last week 10,000 refugees arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa within three days. Shortly before, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had visited the island and presented a ten-point plan for tackling migration at the European level, calling for better redistribution of new arrivals and more effective surveillance of the EU's external borders. Europe's press voices doubts about whether this can work.