South Eastern European Region Research Articles

Expert Opinion on Current Trends in the Use of Insulin in the Management of People with Type 2 Diabetes from the South-Eastern European Region and Israel.

Despite the availability of various antihyperglycaemic therapies and comprehensive guidelines, glycaemic control in diabetes management has not improved significantly during the last decade in the real-world clinical setting. Treatment inertia arising from a complex interplay among patient-, clinician- and healthcare-system-related factors is the prime reason for this suboptimal glycaemic control. Also, the key factor leading to inadequate glycaemic levels remains limited communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and people with type 2 diabetes (PwT2D). Early insulin administration has several advantages including reduced glucotoxicity, high efficacy and preserved β-cell mass/function, leading to lowering the risk of diabetes complications. The current publication is based on consensus of experts from the South-Eastern European region and Israel who reviewed the existing evidence and guidelines for the treatment of PwT2D. Herein, the experts emphasised the timely use of insulin, preferably second-generation basal insulin (BI) analogues and intensification using basal-plus therapy, as the most-potent glucose-lowering treatment choice in the real-world clinical setting. Despite an increase in the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the experts urged timely insulin initiation for inadequate glycaemic control in PwT2D. Furthermore, the combination of BI and GLP-1 RA addressing both fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial excursions as a free- or fixed-ratio combination was identified to reduce treatment complexity and burden. To minimise discontinuation and improve adherence, the experts reiterated quality, regular interactions and discussions between HCPs and PwT2D/carers for their involvement in the diabetes management decision-making process. Clinicians and HCPs should consider the opinions of the experts in accordance with the most recent recommendations for diabetes management.

DIM ESEE—Dubrovnik International ESEE Mining School

AbstractIn 2015, together with the University of Zagreb and other partners, the Resources Innovation Center of the Montanuniversität Leoben conceived a series of one-week training workshops—the “Dubrovnik International Eastern and Southeastern Europe Region Mining School—DIM ESEE”.Every October, 40–60 experts from the region meet in Dubrovnik for three (five in the early years) full days of specialist lectures, case-study discussions, and excursions.The DIM ESEE workshops aim to provide tailored and industry-oriented training for raw materials professionals, academics, and PhD students and address topics of current relevance to the mining community. In 2023, Montanuniversität was responsible for the topic “Innovation in Extraction” and created a comprehensive training program with interesting contributions from the mining supply industry.

HISTORIJSKO-PRAVNE OSNOVE BOSANSKOHERCEGOVAČKE DRŽAVNOSTI DO BERLINSKOG KONGRESA 1878. GODINE

The paper deals with issues related to the genesis of the Bosnian medieval state, its geopolital area, the specific state organization, as wel as the form of government whi- ch represented a dynamic reflection of then European circumstances. An important factor of the Bosnian state individuality is spiritual culture as wel as cultural speci- fics. In the course of that indipendent political development, a complex feudal state with prominent hierarchy, that was not sufficiently addressed in our science, was formed. A centuries-old process of rounding off international respectability has cul- minated in 1377 by the proclamation of the Bosnian Kingdom. However, circumstan- ces in the wider region of southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean have resulted in creation of a powerful Ottoman empire. After almost one hundred years of constant threat to the medieval Bosnian state, Ottomans placed the largest part of this kingdom under their rule in 1463. Despite the loss of political independence, in the following period, Bosnian Sandzak was formed in the conquered area as wel as the Bosnian Eyalet later. These administrative-terri- torial units have common specific segments of continuity with medieval independent state. Indeed, this centuries-old Ottoman administration has created the present-day Bosnia-Herzegovinian’s territory within the existing borders. Although the Ottoman state was highly centralized, in this paper we’ll try to answer the question about the degree of autonomy of local administration units in the Bosnian Eyalet. Key words: Bosnia, banovina, kingdom, starboard, eyalet, state, administration

VECTOR ZOONOSES THAT MAY THREAT THE REGION OF SOUTHEAST EUROPE

The first Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was founded in France (Lyon) in 1762, in order to prevent the cyclical waves of rinderpest at the beginning of the 18th century in Europe. Three centuries later, infectious diseases, including zoonoses, cannot be eradicated in the regions where they appear enzootically, and also thair spread is a real threat to distant regions of the world. A special segment of the infectious diseases studies is focused to the group of zoonoses that are transmitted by vectors. There are numerous infectious diseases of animals and humans, whith the causative agents that are transmitted by insects and arthropods, and in some cases, vectors appear as real hosts and reservoirs of zoonotic agents. Until two decades ago, the appearance of West Nile fever in regions of the world where this zoonosis was enzootic and endemic (for example, the African continent), did not attract the attention of epizootiologists and epidemiologists. However, this infectious disease has caused a disease in a numerous people in our region over the past twenty years, and in some cases the outcome was fatal. Analogous to the example of West Nile fever, it can be assumed that a greater number of vector-borne zoonoses are practically “knocking on the door” of the Southeastern Europe region. That region can be considered a buffer zone, where there are more or less distant regions to the south and east, where until nowadays “exotic” zoonoses appear enzootically, and from which direction we can expect the penetration of vectors, and the infectious diseases they transmit. The potential for the transmission of vector-borne zoonoses primarily refers to diseases transmitted by insects and arthropods. In the case of insects, a sudden outbreak could be expected, for example, of Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya virus infection, Japanese encephalitis or Yellow fever. The fight against such zoonoses should primarily be based on vector control. For some of these zoonoses, vaccines have already been developed for use in human (e.g. Japanese encephalitis) and veterinary (e.g. West Nile fever) medicine. In the case of zoonoses transmitted by arthropods (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tickborne encephalitis), it is expected that the infection will spread slowly but steadily, whereby diagnostic tests and the application of methods of monitoring the presence in animal species that can be indicators of the disease are of more importance. The paper presents the basic mechanisms in the transmission of vector-borne zoonoses as well as certain infectious diseases transmitted by insects and arthropods, which have a significant potential to threaten the region of Southern and Eastern Europe.

Development of a Predictive Model of the Flight Dynamics of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, 1796 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in the Vojvodina Region, Serbia—Implications for Integrated Pest Management

Although corn production is affected by several harmful insects, its most important pest in the southeastern region of Europe is the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, 1796 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Chemical control of O. nubilalis remains the main strategy in conventional corn production. The key to successfully achieving a high efficiency of insecticides is determining the appropriate moment of application, including the exact time in the insect’s life cycle when it is most vulnerable. In this study, monitoring data on the flight dynamics of ECB adults from a seven-year period (2014–2020) were exploited for the development of a predictive model of adult numbers within the growing season. ECB monitoring was performed by using light traps at 15 different locations in the Vojvodina region (Serbia) during the specified time period. First, the calendar for Vojvodina was created based on the analytics of the collected monitoring data. Additionally, the calendar was converted to the probability of ECB occurrence during the growing season, specifying the time interval between the appearance of each generation of the pest. Second, using machine learning techniques, a phenological model was designed that included daily values of relevant meteorological features, such as cumulative degree-days, relative humidity, and precipitation. The calendar had a lower prediction error when compared to the phenological model, and it was tested as a supporting management tool for the ECB in 2021, with a root-mean-square error of the number of adults of 46.67. Such an approach could significantly reduce both the consumption of insecticides and the number of chemical treatments, respectively. Above all, this approach has broad potential in IPM and organic farming, and it is fully compatible with biological control methods.

Affordability of cigarettes in ten Southeastern European countries between 2008 and 2019

BackgroundThe empirical evidence shows that tobacco consumption is strongly associated with its affordability. The nominal growth in tobacco prices imposed by taxation should exceed or at least keep pace with...

Two Sides of the Same Coin? Contrasting Narratives of Bosnian-Muslims Migration to Turkey in Late 19th and Early 20th Century

The decline of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the 19th century caused numerous consequences for the region of South-eastern Europe, most notably the mass migrations of Muslims from the European regions of the Ottoman Empire to Anatolia. In Bosnia, thousands of local Muslims feeling intra-state, but also external pressure by the non-Muslim population, left their homeland to find a safer refuge. Recognizing limited scholarly attention which was given to the sphere of the lived experiences of the migrant trajectories, this paper aims to give a portrayal of the reality regarding the nostalgia and financial everyday life of Muslims from Bosnia at the turn of the century in the Ottoman Empire. To this end, it predominantly through a narrative analysis of two letters sent by Bosnian Muslims who migrated to the Anatolian town of Durgut. The oddity of these letters is in two heavily conflicting views on the lived experience of migration. The first one embarked on a highly nostalgic, sceptical, and pro-return perception reflecting on a specific “othering” of Bosnian Muslims in Turkey.

Population aging from 1950 to 2010 in seventeen transitional countries in the wider region of South Eastern Europe

Aim: Population aging has profoundly reshaped demographic landscapes in all South Eastern European (SEE) countries. The aim of this study was to provide a thorough comparative inter-country assessment on the speed of population aging in the entire SEE region for the period 1950-2010.
 Methods: Descriptive observational analysis of long-term trends on core primary and composite indicators of population aging across seventeen countries of the wider SEE region, with panel data sets at a national level.
 Results: During the past six decades, the entire SEE region has experienced a rapid increase in the median age (from 25.2 years in 1950 to 37.9 years in 2010), with a simultaneous fall of fertility rates for two children per woman (from 3.55 children per each childbearing woman in 1950 to 1.49 in 2010), coupled with significant rise in the population of elderly citizens. The speed of population aging has vastly accelerated (with a 2.5 fold increase) over the past three decades. The percentage of individuals over 65 years has doubled from 7% in 1950 to 14% in 2010.
 Conclusion: Complex national strategies are needed to cope with the shrinking labour force coupled with the growing proportion of the older population. With all likelihood, population aging will further accelerate in the near future. This profound long-term demographic transition will threaten financial sustainability of current health systems in all SEE countries.

Public health leadership competency level among health professionals in a South Eastern European country

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the current and the required leadershipcompetency level of health professionals in Albania, employing a recently establishedinternational instrument.
 Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in Albania in July-December 2014 including a representative sample of 267 health professionals (162 men and 105 women; mean age: 44.7±10.3 years; overall response rate: 89%). A structured questionnaire was administered to all health professionals aiming at self-assessing the current level of leadership competencies and the required (desirable) level of leadership competencies for their current job position. The questionnaire included 52 items grouped into eight subscales/domains. Answers for each item of the tool ranged from 1 (“minimal competency level”) to 5 (“maximal competency level”). An overall summary score (range: 52-260) and a subscale summary score for each domain were calculated for both the current and the required leadership competency levels. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was employed to comparethe overall scores and the subscale scores of the current and the required level of leadership competencies among health professionals.
 Results: Mean value of the overall summary score for the 52 items of the instrument was significantly lower for the current leadership competency level compared with the required leadership competency level (138.4±11.2 vs. 159.7±25.3, respectively; P<0.001). Most of the subscales’ scores were significantly higher for the required than for the current leadership competency level.
 Conclusion: Our study provides useful evidence about the current and the required level of leadership competencies among health professionals in transitional Albania. Findings of this study may help policymakers in Albania to identify the gap between the required and the current level of leadership competencies among health professionals. Furthermore, findings of this study should be expanded in the neighbouring countries of the South Eastern European region and beyond.

Infective endocarditis in adults with congenital heart disease: Contemporary management and related outcomes in Central and South-Eastern European region

BackgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) remains major cause of morbidity and mortality in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Limited data exists on ACHD with IE in Central and South-Eastern European (CESEE) countries. The aim of this study is to characterize contemporary management and assess outcomes of ACHD with IE in CESEE region. MethodsData on ACHD patients with IE from 9 tertiary centres in 9 different CESEE countries between 2015 and 2020 was included. Baseline demographics, clinical presentation, indication for surgery, outcomes, hospital and all-cause-1-year mortality were studied. ResultsA total of 295 ACHD patients (mean age 40 ± 14 years) with IE were included. Median time from symptoms onset to establishing diagnosis was 25 (11–59) days. The majority of patients (203, 68.8%) received previous empiric oral antibiotic therapy. The highest incidence of IE was observed on native and left sided valves, 194(65.8%) and 204(69.2%), respectively. More than half had a vegetation size ≥10 mm (164, 55.6%); overall 138 (46.8%) had valve complications and 119 (40.3%) had heart failure. In-hospital mortality was 26 (8.8%). ConclusionThere is clear delay in establishing IE diagnosis amongst ACHD patients in CESEE countries. Adequate diagnosis is hampered by common prescription of empiric antibiotics before establishing formal diagnosis. Hence, patients commonly present with associated complications requiring surgery. Hospital treatment and survival are, nevertheless, comparable to other Western European countries. Improved awareness and education of patients and medical profession regarding IE preventive measures, risks, signs, and symptoms are urgently needed. Empiric antibiotic prescription before blood cultures are taken must be omitted.

Mogućnosti korišćenja biomase iz šumarstva u cilju uspostavljanja cirkularne bioekonomije u Srbiji

In the last ten years significance of biomass is growing, due to exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves and their negative impact on climate and environment. In the region of Southeastern Europe, biomass is the most significant renewable energy source, due to abundance of forests and agricultural areas. Serbia is one of the countries of Southeastern Europe with significant potentials for using biomass from forests and wood processing industry in the form of wood residues. Despite its potential, the use of wood biomass in Serbia is not efficient. Significant amounts of wood residue produced in the course of tree felling and timber assortment production are left unused in forests. It is necessary to improve the national legislative and regulatory frameworks and support mechanisms for the rational use of biomass, make a precise assessment of its potential and promote the importance of the circular bioeconomy in Serbia in the coming period. The paper presents the results of a complex analysis of the current state of the circular bioeconomy in Europe Union countries, comparing with state in Serbia, the goals and initial results of the CEE2ACT project, and highlights the importance of the formation and long-term functioning of the National Bioeconomy Hub.

Molecular epidemiological study of Trichomonas gallinae focusing on central and southeastern Europe.

Trichomonas gallinae is a geographically widespread protozoan parasite of birds. In this study, oropharyngeal swab samples were collected in Hungary and Romania from 99 columbiform birds, including 76 feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica: 42 kept for racing, 32 with urban and two with rural habitat), four common wood pigeons (C. palumbus), 16 ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) and three Eurasian collared doves (S. decaocto). These samples were analyzed for the presence of T. gallinae using molecular methods. Racing feral pigeons had significantly higher prevalence of T. gallinae infection than urban feral pigeons. The rate of PCR-positivity was the highest among wood pigeons and ring doves. Based on 18S rRNA gene, T. gallinae was the most heterogenous among racing feral pigeons sampled in a trading-breeding place. Clinical signs were associated with only one 18S rRNA gene subtype. The most divergent 18S rRNA gene subtype, Trichomonas sp. Hu-TG37 clustered with T. canistomae and T. tenax and represents probably a new species. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the genetic diversity of T. gallinae in the southeastern European region. The results suggest that most detected T. gallinae 18S rRNA gene subtypes are not host-specific and do not cause clinical signs. The highest number of 18S rRNA gene subtypes was demonstrated among racing feral pigeons. Significantly more captive than free-living columbiform birds had T. gallinae infection. These data highlight the importance of epizootic monitoring of the genetic diversity and presence of T. gallinae in trading-breeding places of pigeons and doves.

Brown carbon absorption and radiative effects under intense residential wood burning conditions in Southeastern Europe: New insights into the abundance and absorptivity of methanol-soluble organic aerosols

Biomass burning is a major source of Brown Carbon (BrC), strongly contributing to radiative forcing. In urban areas of the climate-sensitive Southeastern European region, where strong emissions from residential wood burning (RWB) are reported, radiative impacts of carbonaceous aerosols remain largely unknown. This study examines the absorption properties of water- and methanol-soluble organic carbon (WSOC, MeS_OC) in a city (Ioannina, Greece) heavily impacted by RWB. Measurements were performed during winter (December 2019 – February 2020) and summer (July – August 2019) periods, characterized by RWB and photochemical processing of organic aerosol (OA), respectively. PM2.5 filter extracts were analyzed spectrophotometrically for water- and methanol-soluble BrC (WS_BrC, MeS_BrC) absorption. WSOC concentrations were quantified using TOC analysis, while those of MeS_OC were determined using a newly developed direct quantification protocol, applied for the first time to an extended series of ambient samples. The direct method led to a mean MeS_OC/OC of 0.68 and a more accurate subsequent estimation of absorption efficiencies. The mean winter WS_BrC and MeS_BrC absorptions at 365 nm were 13.9 Mm−1 and 21.9 Mm−1, respectively, suggesting an important fraction of water-insoluble OA. Mean winter WS_BrC and MeS_BrC absorptions were over 10 times those observed in summer. MeS_OC was more absorptive than WSOC in winter (mean mass absorption efficiencies – MAE365: 1.81 vs 1.15 m2 gC−1) and especially in summer (MAE: 1.12 vs 0.27 m2 gC−1) due to photo-dissociation and volatilization of BrC chromophores. The winter radiative forcing (RF) of WS_BrC and MeS_BrC relative to elemental carbon (EC) was estimated at 8.7 % and 16.7 %, respectively, in the 300–2500 nm band. However, those values increased to 48.5 % and 60.2 % at 300–400 nm, indicating that, under intense RWB, BrC forcing becomes comparable to that of soot. The results highlight the consideration of urban BrC emissions in radiative transfer models, as a considerable climate forcing factor.

Risky Travel? Subjective vs. Objective Perceived Risks in Travel Behaviour—Influence of Hydro-Meteorological Hazards in South-Eastern Europe on Serbian Tourists

In terms of climate related security risks, the region of South-Eastern Europe (SEE) can be identified as one of the world’s hot spots. As weather-related hazards continue to increase in numbers and spatial distribution, risk perception in the tourism industry becomes even more important. Additionally, people’s perception of natural hazards is one of the key elements in their decision-making process when choosing a travel destination. Although a vast number of studies have examined aspects of risk perception, an integrated approach which considers both objective and subjective factors related to the tourism industry and hydro-meteorological hazards remains relatively scarce. This pioneering study inspects the causality between objective perceived risks, as well as subjective risk factors. A methodological approach and the obtained results present a certain novelty since the previous conceptualized Psychological Preparedness for Disaster Threat Scale (PPDTS) was applied for the first time in the tourism industry. The obtained results reveal the presence of a statistically significant relationship between objective risks and certain subjective risk factors (gender, age, education, prior experience, anticipation, and awareness). Therefore, this study may offer a conceptual platform for both theoretical and practical implications for enhanced approaches oriented toward more qualitative risk management at a given travel destination, in regions prone to hydro-meteorological hazards.

Towards a real-time tracking of an expanding alien bee species in Southeast Europe through citizen science and floral host monitoring

Citizen science, a practice of public participation in scientific projects, is popular in Western countries, however, it is still a relatively novel approach in Southeast Europe. In this region, citizen science can be a useful tool for increasing the understanding of alien species. One such species is the sculptured resin bee, Megachile sculpturalis, a putatively invasive alien pollinator native to East Asia. It was introduced to France in 2008, from where it quickly spread across West and Central Europe. However, our knowledge of its eastern distribution is scarce since it is based mostly on isolated findings. We combined citizen science and data extraction from online sources (e.g., naturalist’s databases and social media) covering 6 years, and 3 years of targeted floral resource monitoring in the search for M. sculpturalis across regions of southeastern Europe. We collected presence data and information on M. sculpturalis abundances across an urban-rural gradient from eight countries: Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, and the region of the Crimean Peninsula. We present the first country records for Romania, Bulgaria, and Montenegro, identify the dynamic expansion front in southern Serbia and provide new southernmost occurrences in Southeast Europe. We also collected data on species ecology (e.g., phenology, pollen/nectar sources, nest characteristics) and gathered evidence of reproducing populations of this species across the studied region. Citizen science data provided a five times larger spatial coverage, including recordings from remote locations, than the data collected by expert field surveys and provided critical additional data about the species biology, thanks to exceptionally engaged participants. We emphasize the importance of close collaboration between regional scientist teams and citizen participants and the benefits of this approach for monitoring a species with a continent-wide spread potential.

Do mergers and acquisitions improve bank efficiency? Evidence from North Macedonia

This article focuses on the efficiency of commercial banks in North Macedonia in the period from 2007 to 2020. The main goal is to assess the relative efficiency of the banking sector as a whole, and more importantly, to evaluate and analyse the impact of mergers and acquisition (M&A) transactions on banks’ efficiency. For this reason, the leading nonparametric methodology Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been employed, i.e., the window DEA model with two input and two output variables on a sample of 13 commercial banks. Based on balanced panel data from the banking sector of North Macedonia, the obtained results show a constant fall of efficiency of the whole banking sector, from 83.33% in 2007 to 70.06% in 2011 and 66.36% in 2020. The results of the M&A transactions case study analysis show that, in general, M&A transactions decrease banks' efficiency, i.e., they do not result in an efficiency increase. The contribution of the study is that it comprises the first study analysing the effects of banks' M&A on bank efficiency in the region of South-Eastern Europe with the application of DEA and thus, it provides valuable information for investors, bank management, M&A analysts, academic members and regulatory bodies.

The Little Entente of Women, Feminisms, Tensions, and Entanglements within the Interwar European Women’s Movement

This article discusses some aspects of the interwar women’s movements and feminist activities in Eastern Europe and the Balkans in particular, taking as a starting point the creation of the regional feminist network called the Little Entente of Women LEW). It shows that—despite the idea of “global sisterhood”—women’s actions have always been conditioned by the agenda of male political elites. At the same time, the article highlights some entanglements of the feminist activities and initiatives that shattered the (fraternal) social contracts of nation states and, already before World War II, won certain aspects of citizenship rights for women throughout the region of Southeastern Europe.

Options for Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Ni-Co Lateritic Ores for Sustainable Supply of Nickel and Cobalt for European Battery Industry from South-Eastern Europe and Turkey

The automotive industry is in the process of transformation from the traditional production of vehicles with engines powered by the combustion of fossil fuels to vehicles powered by electric energy. This revolutionary transformation will generate a growing demand for metallic raw materials that are a crucial part of batteries—nickel and cobalt, among others. Providing enough raw materials for e-mobility in a sustainable way will be a challenge in the years to come. The region of South-Eastern Europe (SEE) and Turkey is relatively rich in lateritic Ni-Co deposits, and this region has the potential to partially replace the import of nickel and cobalt intermediates to the European Union from distant overseas locations. Possibilities for the sustainable sourcing of nickel and cobalt from the SEE region are reviewed in this paper, with an overview of the global demand and production of these metals, lateritic mineral resources of SEE, the current status of production, and the prospective development of nickel and cobalt production in this region.

The Ethnographer’s Ethnicity

Introductions to ethnographic research for university students in Macedonia are understandably starkly different from the often idealized ‘first encounters’ we read in classical anthropological texts, what Hammersley and Atkinson call “the Western ‘rite of passage’”. Students from Macedonia, during their four-year studies, conduct fieldwork in urban and rural areas of their home country, usually focusing on a different geographic region every year. Through this experience, students are introduced to a ‘foreign’ field that is often very familiar – the language is common and the general cultural context is shared. In such a fieldwork context, the question of ethnicity, as a general category of importance in the self-identification of communities and citizens of the region, as well as a category frequently present in the rhetoric of various political groups, cannot be withheld. As such, the aim of this paper is to highlight the need for including ethnicity in conversations about fieldwork in Southeastern Europe, especially in introductory courses on research methodologies. In this sense, it is not only the ethnic identity of our interlocutors that comes to interest, but that of the researcher as well, for whom it can represent either a barrier or a tool with the ability to aid the research process. The paper will examine introductory reading materials and practices in ethnography, and attempt to synthesize understandings of auto-reflexive examples of fieldwork in multi-ethnic communities or multi-ethnic ethnographic encounters by anthropologists from Macedonia to propose methods that ethnicity can be included as a significant factor and characteristic of the researcher in teaching ethnography in the Southeastern European region.

FORMATION OF NEW LOGISTIC NODES OF GAS TRADE IN THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

The countries of South-Eastern Europe had close economic ties with Russia and were guided by the purchase of Russian natural gas. In the recent years, both geopolitically and the market events, as well as the energy security concerns, have transformed the region of South-Eastern Europe into a significant element of the energy strategy of the European Union. The emergence of new gas suppliers in this region is due to both the requirements of the European Union for the diversification of energy supply sources and the active formation of new gas corridors in Eastern Europe, in particular, the launch of a large gas terminal in Poland. The creation of a new gas infrastructure exacerbates competition between suppliers and requires market participants to develop optimal gas supply options for consumers adapted to new conditions. The article examines the features of the formation of promising gas hubs in the countries of South-Eastern Europe. The specifics of the development of the gas market in Bulgaria and Greece are shown. Attention is focused on strengthening Turkey's position as an important gas corridor. The results of the study allow us to conclude that the energy infrastructure in this region is still underdeveloped. The region does not offer an efficient market mechanism for the sale and purchase of natural gas, as well as a spot pricing mechanism. At the same time, amid heightened competition on the European gas market, South-Eastern Europe is beginning to play an increasingly significant role in maintaining Russia's position as the largest gas supplier.