The President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, held a meeting today with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during which both leaders praised the strong partnership and progress Albania has made on its path toward European Union membership.
President Begaj commended von der Leyen’s leadership and her steadfast support for Albania’s EU accession, emphasizing that the country is among the first to benefit from the EU Growth Plan. He also thanked her for ensuring that the Western Balkans remain central to the EU’s enlargement agenda.
Begaj underlined that Albania’s EU path is a national mission, a 35-year dream shared across generations and society. He highlighted that the opening of 28 negotiation chapters across five out of six clusters demonstrates the determination of Albanian institutions to move forward with speed and stability.
He also noted that justice reform and the fight against corruption remain cornerstones of Albania’s progress, serving to protect public interest and citizens’ rights.
The president stressed the importance of digitalization and innovation in governance as part of Albania’s modernization and transparency efforts, while reaffirming that Albania is fully aligned with the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy and is an active participant in EU-Albania security and defense dialogue.
Begaj further emphasized that the enlargement of the EU into the Western Balkans is vital for the stability and future of Europe.
In closing, President Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to being a reliable and dedicated partner in the European journey, describing EU integration as a shared investment in the continent’s future.
He thanked President von der Leyen for her continued technical, political, and financial support, and for promoting a vision of a united, strong, and inclusive Europe.
