European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives in Tirana today, September 30, as the first stop of her tour of the Western Balkans. The visit will focus on the region’s path toward the European Union and the next steps in the enlargement process. In Tirana, von der Leyen will meet with Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, followed by a joint press conference with Rama at 5:30 p.m.
On Thursday, October 1, the Commission president will travel to Pristina, where she will meet with Kosovo’s Acting President Albulena Haxhiu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. She will then continue to Podgorica for meetings with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. The tour will conclude on Friday in Skopje, where she is scheduled to meet North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not included in this tour. The European Commission has said von der Leyen intends to visit both countries at a later date because of upcoming elections.
The visit comes as Brussels continues to emphasize gradual integration and preparations for future EU enlargement. The tour will also highlight the EU’s €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which supports reforms and closer integration with the bloc. In Albania, the European Commission is also working on the next steps of the country’s accession process.
