AGP Executive Report

World Cup Shockwave: England’s 2026 squad is confirmed, but the biggest headlines are the omissions—Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire are out, while Ivan Toney makes the cut after Tuchel’s “clear the air” talks. Tennis Spotlight: Novak Djokovic says he’s joining a French Open media boycott over prize-money disputes, while the draw keeps him on course to meet Jannik Sinner only in the final. Serbia-Kosovo Tensions: Aleksandar Vučić backs the Serb List ahead of Kosovo’s 7 June vote, accusing Pristina of targeting Kosovo Serbs and warning the campaign is turning harsher. Security & Tech: North Macedonia investigates a presidency IT worker in a spy case, and researchers warn of GraphWorm malware using Microsoft OneDrive to hide command traffic. Belgrade Crime Case: A body found stuffed in a barrel is linked to a restaurant shooting tied to Belgrade’s police chief, deepening a major cover-up probe.

Kosovo EU Funding Crunch: Kosovo risks losing over €90m from the EU Growth Plan unless it completes 13 reform steps by June 30—with another €165.9m at stake later this year; Serbia’s request is still under review while Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro have already been approved for new payments. Student Protests: Serbia’s protesting university students are gearing up for a major weekend rally in Belgrade’s Slavija Square, renewing pressure on President Aleksandar Vučić ahead of elections. Belgrade-Ukraine Trade Talks: Serbia and Ukraine signed a statement to keep negotiating a free trade agreement, with a business forum in Belgrade highlighting energy, logistics and industry links. Economy Forecast: The European Commission cut its projection for Serbia’s 2026 GDP growth to 2.8% (up to 3.9% in 2027) citing EXPO 2027 investment and rising wages, while noting inflation and a temporary fiscal deficit. Sports Spotlight: Djokovic’s French Open opener is set vs Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Serbia’s football scene also sees government approval for Belgrade to host the 2029 Europa League final.

Free-Trade Push: Serbia and Ukraine moved closer to a deal as Serbian Trade Minister Jagoda Lazarević and Ukraine’s EU trade envoy Taras Kachka signed a joint statement in Belgrade, with talks also covering trade, investment, energy and infrastructure. Business-to-Business Links: A Serbia–Ukraine business forum followed, bringing together dozens of firms in agriculture, logistics, chemicals and metallurgy. AI Factory Momentum: Serbia’s Chamber of Commerce and Orion Telekom signed with NVIDIA’s partner network to build a Serbian business language model for Cyrillic/Latin and local regulations—part of an EUR 800m “national AI factory” plan. Justice Pressure: A Hague monitor says Serbia is still not answering requests tied to the Seselj contempt-of-court case. Sports Spotlight: Djokovic named Viktor Troicki as coach ahead of Roland Garros, while the U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 draw is set after FIFA’s group ceremony. Logistics Reality Check: Transport groups warn EU driver rules and border friction could raise costs and slow goods across the Western Balkans.

Djokovic’s French Open gamble: Novak Djokovic has named Viktor Troicki as his new head coach, ending a year without a formal trainer and aiming to steady an injury-disrupted season as Roland Garros starts Sunday. Serbia–China diplomacy: President Aleksandar Vučić is set for a five-day state visit to China from May 24, with Xi and Premier Li expected to meet him as Belgrade pushes deeper economic and political ties. Regional nerves: Montenegro marked 20 years since independence with a celebration that Vučic refused to attend, underscoring how old tensions still shape today’s politics. EU money, uneven access: The European Commission released reform-and-growth funds to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia, while Bosnia and Herzegovina still can’t access its share—about €1bn—due to unresolved conditions. Sport on the move: A Serbian rower qualified for U.S. nationals, and Partizan’s former Israeli captain Bibars Natcho announced his retirement.

Serbia–Ukraine Diplomacy: A Serbia–Ukraine Business Forum opened in Belgrade, bringing 45 business leaders (30 companies, 12 Ukrainian) and pushing talks toward a free-trade agreement—Ukraine’s deputy PM Taras Kachka is leading the delegation. EU Integration Push: Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić says he will attend the EU–Western Balkans summit in Montenegro on June 5 after speaking with EC President Ursula von der Leyen, as five EU countries back a “step-by-step” way for candidates to enter the single market. Ukraine Visit Update: Reports that Zelenskyy would come this week were walked back—Ukraine says the trip is postponed and Kachka will go first. Regional Politics: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski insists his government won’t interfere in other countries’ internal affairs after a rally linked to Serbia’s president was announced. Security & Tech: ESET warns of a China-aligned Webworm targeting governments including Serbia, while a “human safari” probe in the region continues with new suspects under investigation.

Belgrade Cyber Shock: The Belgrade School District says malware hit parts of its network and an investigation is underway to see whether student or staff personal data was affected; systems were isolated, malware removed, and repairs are expected to run into June. Drug War Escalation: Authorities report ZiG 80 million worth of drugs seized in a nationwide blitz, alongside thousands of arraignments and convictions and the dismantling of drug bases and suppliers. EU Enlargement Push: Austria, Italy, Czechia, Slovakia and Slovenia back a “step-by-step” model for Western Balkans access to the EU single market, aiming to keep momentum without full membership yet. Press Freedom Fight: The Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation faces a major setback after being ordered to pay over one million dinars in a defamation case tied to the long-delayed justice process for the 1999 murder. Sports—Djokovic at Roland Garros: Djokovic arrives at the French Open with health concerns shaping his clay preparation, after pulling out of multiple events earlier this year.

Kosovo Court Case: Pristina’s Basic Court sentenced Serb police lieutenant Bojan Jevtic to six years for espionage, after a guilty plea deal tied him to leaking confidential police information to Serbia’s BIA. Belgrade Diplomacy: Serbia’s Foreign Ministry condemned a drone attack near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, stressing protection of civilian and strategically important infrastructure. Ukraine-Serbia Talks: Reports say Zelenskyy won’t visit Serbia this week; instead, Ukraine’s delegation may be led by Deputy PM Taras Kachka, with a possible trade memorandum on the table. Regional Politics: Serbia’s EU-Schengen push for Western Balkans integration is gaining attention, but analysts say it’s more political than practical given standards and security concerns. Tech & Industry: Serbia opened the 68th International Technical Fair in Belgrade, highlighting EXPO 2027 and investments in digitalisation and AI. Sports (Local angle): A Belgrade Fair tech event and Serbia-linked headlines dominated, while wider coverage also flagged major global sports and entertainment updates.

World Urban Forum Diplomacy: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met Kenya’s William Ruto in Baku, pushing fresh economic cooperation and raising Kosovo in a tense discussion after Kenya recognized Kosovo’s independence. Sanctions Crackdown: Germany says it uncovered a scheme supplying Russia with Western components for its nuclear and submarine programs, with a key suspect arrested in Lübeck. Serbian Sports Spotlight: Jovana Nogić, a Serbian WNBA rookie, lit up Phoenix with 27 points in a 91-83 win over Chicago and is now set to face Toronto’s expansion Tempo. Weather Shock: Europe braces for a swing from Arctic cold to a coming African heatwave, after a week of damaging frosts and storms. Belgrade Tech Push: Serbia’s PM Djuro Macut says digital public services and AI capacity are delivering faster, more accessible state support. World Cup Countdown: Squads are rolling in for the 2026 tournament, with Neymar recalled to Brazil’s roster.

World Cup 2026: Coaches are finalizing squads for the 48-team tournament, with rosters due by June 1 and the action set for June 11–July 19 across the US, Mexico and Canada. Serbia-Diplomacy: In Baku, President Aleksandar Vučić met Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev and discussed expanding cooperation in energy, infrastructure, digitalisation and transport corridors, while also thanking Slovakia for support of Serbia’s EU path and territorial integrity. Digital Serbia: PM Đuro Macut says Serbia has made “significant progress” in digital public administration and will keep investing in IT infrastructure and AI capacity for faster, more accessible services. Kosovo Tensions: Serb associations in Kosovo backed a student memorandum defining Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia, while Serbia’s New Democratic Party criticized it for omitting key Brussels/French-German agreements. EU Policy Watch: Eurostat data shows EU pre-primary enrollment at 95% overall, but much lower in Serbia and other candidate countries. Tech & Business: Serbia’s Oracle Public Sector Innovation Day highlights public-sector modernization, while the World Bank warns the Western Balkans are losing workers needed for growth.

Judicial Reform Push: Serbia is sending improved drafts of five key judicial laws to the Venice Commission rapporteurs today, after a May 15 working-group meeting with Justice Minister Nenad Vujic and experts—aimed at aligning “Mrdic’s Laws” with Council of Europe recommendations. Kosovo at the Council of Europe: Foreign Minister Marko Djuric says Kosovo will not join the Council of Europe, arguing Pristina’s record on Serb rights disqualifies it, while calling for EU and Schengen access for the whole region. Energy Grid Readiness: At the Belgrade Energy Forum, Serbia’s grid operator EMS says it can integrate about 12 GW of renewables over six years, but the wider Balkan challenge is keeping transmission systems ready for the green transition. Sports Spotlight: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander repeats as NBA MVP, while Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision with “Bangaranga.”

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” beating Israel’s Noam Bettan to second place after a night marked by protests and a boycott. Serbia–Azerbaijan Diplomacy: President Aleksandar Vučić met Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev in Baku, stressing WUF13 and pushing deeper cooperation in energy, investment, and direct Belgrade–Baku flights via Air Serbia. Regional Tensions: Serbia’s rhetoric around Montenegro’s independence anniversary flared again after Vučić said he won’t attend, while Podgorica rejected any framing of the event as anti-Serb. Kosovo Politics: Kosovo’s stalled presidential vote is pushing the country toward another snap election on June 7, raising fresh EU concerns over instability. Sports Spotlight: Jannik Sinner extended his Masters 1000 dominance with a record-breaking Rome run, while Serbian WNBA rookie Jovana Nogic keeps turning heads with another strong Mercury performance. Local/Other: Hungary’s PM Péter Magyar alleges shredded documents and Fidesz campaign materials were found in a former ministry building.

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria’s Dara won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with “Bangaranga,” scoring 516 points and beating Israel’s Noam Bettan (343) in a tense final count. The night was also marked by Boycott & Protests: Israel’s participation drew unprecedented political backlash, with multiple countries staying away and demonstrators disrupting performances. Regional Scoreboard Drama: Croatia handed Serbia 12 points while Serbia returned the favor with zero, underlining how Politics vs Pop still shapes voting patterns. Sports Spotlight: In the background of the cultural chaos, the NBA set up its own big reveal—MVP finalists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić will be named Sunday, a day before OKC’s Western Conference finals opener.

Eurovision Grand Final in Vienna: The 70th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off under tight security and rainy weather, with 25 countries competing and voting open to the public (UK viewers can vote online/app up to 10 times, 15p per vote, but not for their own act). Israel vs the boycott: The show is still shadowed by protests and a five-country boycott over Israel’s participation, while Israel’s act Noam Bettan is in the final after earlier controversy. Serbia in the spotlight: Serbia’s LAVINA performs in the grand final running order, with the contest also featuring a Serbian metal band and other Balkan acts. NBA MVP countdown: The NBA will announce MVP on Sunday—finalists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic—one day before OKC vs San Antonio begins the West finals. Kosovo EU push: Kosovo asks the EU for candidate status after EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos’s first visit to Pristina, urging faster reforms and progress in dialogue with Serbia. Sports beyond music: South Korea names Son Heung-min for his fourth World Cup, while Phoenix’s Serbian rookie Jovana Nogic helps the Mercury beat Chicago 91-83.

Eurovision Final in Vienna: The 70th Eurovision grand final is tonight at the Wiener Stadthalle, with 25 countries competing after two semi-finals and a week of protests and boycotts over Israel’s participation. Running Order Buzz: Fans are already debating how the official running order could swing results, with Denmark’s early slot drawing extra worry. Serbia in the Spotlight: A Serbian metal band is among the acts in the mix, and Serbian culture diplomacy also made headlines this week as Greece’s culture minister visited Belgrade and backed shared heritage projects. Sports—Serbian Names Abroad: In the WNBA, Serbian rookie Jovana Nogic helped Phoenix beat Chicago 91-83, while Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlović is linked to a summer move as Manchester United weigh a bid. Belgrade—Police Probe: Serbia’s capital remains tense after reports of arrests tied to a suspected murder cover-up involving senior police figures.

Eurovision Shockwave: Serbia’s LAVINA is set for Saturday’s Vienna grand final after the second semi-final lineup was locked in, with Bulgaria’s DARA (Bangaranga) also qualifying and bookmakers pushing her into the top 10—while protests and a major boycott keep the mood tense. Belgrade Crime Crackdown: Belgrade’s police leadership is rocked by the arrest of Police Commander Veselin Milić over an alleged murder cover-up, with prosecutors also detaining his security-linked officers. Regional Diplomacy: Serbia and Montenegro trade sharp statements over the 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s independence restoration, as Belgrade rejects Podgorica’s claims and insists it respects sovereignty. Business & Politics: President Aleksandar Vučić will skip Business Summit 2026 for health reasons, with PM Djuro Macut still pushing a “stability and predictability” message to investors. Sports Spotlight: Red Star’s Ghanaian forward Douglas Owusu wins the Serbian Super Liga title, while poker vlogger “Rampage” is knocked out by a brutal runner-runner bad beat at Triton’s final table.

Eurovision Rush: Vienna’s second semifinal is done and the final lineup is locked, with Cyprus qualifying via Antigoni Buxton’s “Jalla” and Greece also through as Akylas heads to Saturday’s grand final; Australia and Bulgaria joined the late qualifiers too, while Latvia and several others were eliminated. Police Violence Probe: In Serbia, a new report details alleged “punitive” police brutality during protests, with complaints filed over abuse that investigators say went beyond a narrow set of suspects. Regional Energy Push: Ministers from Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Moldova and Georgia backed faster integration of Southeastern Europe’s energy networks, calling it a step toward stronger security alongside the green transition. Culture on the Move: Macedonian and Croatian film projects are making Cannes market waves, including Skopje filming underway on Stojan Vujičić’s “Snowman.”