Oct 23, 2024 – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will begin a four-day visit to the Western Balkans today, with stops in Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. The tour aims to strengthen ties and discuss the region’s progress toward European Union membership.
In addition to meeting with the leaders of the six Western Balkan countries, von der Leyen will focus on the EU’s €6 billion growth plan, a key initiative designed to boost development and economic integration in the region. Talks are expected to emphasize reforms required for the accession process and the strategic importance of further integrating the Western Balkans into the EU framework.
Von der Leyen’s first stop will be Tirana, where she will meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Bajram Begaj. Tomorrow, she will travel to North Macedonia to meet with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, before heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina. There, she is expected to visit Jabllanica, an area recently affected by severe floods, and meet with Borjana Krišto, the President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On Friday, the European Commission President will arrive in Belgrade for discussions with Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? and Prime Minister Miloš Vu?evi?. The final stops on her tour will include Pristina, where she will meet with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Podgorica, where she is set to conclude her visit with Montenegro’s leadership.
The trip comes as the EU’s enlargement strategy remains a priority, reaffirmed at recent high-level meetings such as the Berlin Process Summit and the Bled Strategic Forum.
