CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
On Friday 21 July 2023, the Albanian Parliament adopted a law which legalizes medical cannabis and industrial hemp (“Cannabis Law”). The Cannabis Law allows licensed companies to cultivate and process cannabis and determines the criteria which must be met to obtain such a permit, but also regulates the cultivation process of the plant and the production of its by-products for medical and industrial purposes.
Karanovic & Partners has advised the OTP Group on its acquisition of the Ilirika Fund Management Company in Serbia.
In the long-awaited aftermath of the havoc caused by the CJEU’s decision (adopted in 2020 in the famous Schrems II case) to invalidate the previously existing EU-US Privacy Shield Framework, the European Commission adopted the adequacy decision promoting the new EU-US Data Privacy Framework (the “Framework”) on 10 July 2023.
Moravcevic, Vojnovic, and Partners in cooperation with Schoenherr has advised OTP Group members OTP Bank Plc Hungary and OTP Bank Serbia on project financing for Pannonia Bio. Karanovic and Partners advised Pannonia Bio.
On 10 July 2023, the Agency for the Protection of Competition of Montenegro initiated a proceeding against the Association of Tourist Agencies of Montenegro for an alleged breach of the Competition Law.
The Public Enterprise for State Roads of North Macedonia (“PESR”) published an invitation for prequalification (“Invitation for Prequalification”) for works for the construction of a 10.5 km long sub–section of the TEN-T Route 6 Motorway (“Project”).
Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners has advised the Media Development Investment Fund and Pluralis on their acquisition of a minority stake in Croatia's Telegram Media Grupa. Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich advised Telegram Media Grupa.
On 30 June 2023, the web portal for freelancers operated by the Tax Administration was launched.
ODI Law has advised Makedonski Telekom Skopje on insourcing 150 employees from the Macedonian subsidiary of Ericsson. Karanovic & Partners advised Ericsson.
Karanovic & Partners has advised Marriott International on the development and opening of its first Moxy hotel in Belgrade, Serbia.
Paksoy, working with Gowling WLG, has advised UK-listed Volex on its acquisition of Turkish complex wire harness manufacturer Murat Ticaret Kablo for a total consideration of up to approximately EUR 178.1 million. Kinstellar and its Turkish affiliate Gen Temizer Ozer advised the Gora family on the sale of 100% of their shares in Murat Ticaret.
Komnenic & Partners has advised Novi Volvox, Leitner, and Zicara Kotor-Lovcen DOO on the financing for the Kotor-Lovcen cable car project from OTP Bank. Karanovic & Partners advised OTP Bank through its CKB Bank subsidiary.
The Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia published the public call for auctions for awarding of market premiums (in the form of CfD) for wind and solar projects earlier today (Wednesday, 14 June 2023).
A significant number of landmark energy and infrastructure projects are currently materializing in North Macedonia, with foreign direct investment interest constantly growing as well, according to Veton Qoku, Partner and Attorney-at-Law in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners.
The Public Enterprise for Railway Infrastructure Railways of the Republic of North Macedonia – Skopje has published a contract notice for project implementation support and safeguard services for the construction of a new railway section from Kriva Palanka to the border with the Republic of Bulgaria (“Project”). The 24 km section is the last part – the third phase of the railway Corridor VIII to the Republic of Bulgaria.
In accordance with the 2021 amendments to the Law on Companies, delivery of electronic documents to Serbian companies shall be performed to the registered mail on the e-government portal (eUprava).
American actor Jim Belushi met with the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss the Albanian government’s initiative to legalize cannabis and the possibilities of exporting this product for medical purposes.
On 16 March 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) published its judgment on Towercast’s appeal against the French Competition Authority’s decision in Towercast’s case (Case No. C-449/21), confirming that abuse of dominance rules may equally apply ex post to transactions in which national and EU merger control thresholds were not met.
Karanovic & Partners is a regional legal practice in Southeast Europe with a tradition spanning over 25 years and cooperating offices in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania. With more than 150 attorneys at law working together across the region, we take pride in our work, dedication, and understanding of our clients' industries and needs.
We work with some of the most respected and reputable businesses in the world, banks, as well as governments, state-owned entities, start-ups, and NGOs. We see our clients as long-term partners. We focus on straightforward solutions and tailor-made advice. Lawyers cooperating with us are fully immersed in our clients’ culture and industry to ensure that the work is delivered intelligently and reliably.
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We are ambitious to propose innovative legal solutions and we are at the forefront of legal developments in Southeast Europe, pioneering new areas of the law and paving the way for new practices and regulations.