European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has begun her sixth annual tour of the Western Balkans, starting in Tirana with a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
In a message following the meeting, von der Leyen praised Albania’s efforts on its European path, saying Rama and his government were working hard to turn the country’s “European dream” into reality.
“I am happy to start my tour of the Western Balkans from Albania,” von der Leyen said.
“Dear Edi Rama, you are working hard to turn Albania’s European dream into reality. Focusing on reforms, from justice to the environment, is essential, while maintaining a strong dialogue with society. The goal is on the horizon. This is how we will achieve it.”
Von der Leyen’s visit to Albania is the first stop on a three-day regional tour that also includes Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The European Commission said the tour is focused on the next steps in the partners’ EU accession paths and the process of gradual integration, supported by the EU’s €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
During her visit to Tirana, von der Leyen is also scheduled to meet Albanian President Bajram Begaj. The Commission has highlighted EU-funded projects in the region as part of the tour, including the Emin Duraku school in Tirana, which was rebuilt after damage caused by the 2019 earthquake.
The European Commission has identified reforms in areas including the rule of law, fundamental rights, the economy, digitalization and the green transition as part of Albania’s reform agenda under the EU Growth Plan.
Von der Leyen is scheduled to travel to Prishtina on Thursday, where she will meet Acting President Albulena Haxhiu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. She will then travel to Podgorica before concluding the tour in Skopje on Friday.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not included in the current itinerary because of upcoming elections, according to the European Commission, which said von der Leyen intends to visit both countries at a later stage.
