Ursula von der Leyen begins three-day Western Balkans tour

Ursula von der Leyen begins a three-day tour of the Western Balkans with a stop in Albania, arriving today ahead of visits to Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not included in this itinerary.

In Tirana, von der Leyen is scheduled to meet President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, and to visit projects financed with EU funds; specific project details have not been published. A central theme of the talks will be Albania's EU accession process and the next steps in negotiations.

Focus on gradual market integration and the Growth Plan

Discussions are expected to cover the gradual integration of Western Balkan economies into the single European market and the implementation of the Growth Plan for the region. The Growth Plan for 2024–2027 carries a total budget of €6 billion intended to accelerate economic convergence between the Western Balkans and the European Union.

For Albania, a total package of €922.1 million in grants and favorable loans has been allocated. By May 2026 the country is due to receive €212.8 million linked to progress on its reform agenda and to infrastructure projects. Access to these funds is conditional on implementing agreed reforms.

The visit comes as Tirana marks progress in its accession talks: Albania has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and temporarily closed the first three in July — those on science and research, education and culture, and external relations. This trip is the sixth consecutive annual Western Balkans tour by Ursula von der Leyen.

Hristijan Mickoski denies that we will not receive a roadmap.

Photo: press material from the event