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Author: WeBalkans

The “o-dva-ja-mo” household waste separation project starts in Dimitrovgrad

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On October 24, in front of the local cultural centre, the “O-dva-ja-mo” household waste separation project was officially presented to the citizens of Dimitrovgrad, Serbia, in an event organised by the Municipality of Dimitrovgrad and JP “Komunalac”.

 

The “O-dva-ja-mo” household waste separation project was initiated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, with the support of the European Union and the Kingdom of Sweden. The project aims to establish a system for waste separation at the point of origin in 17 municipalities of Serbia by investing in equipment and informing citizens about the advantages of separating household waste, for its later successful recycling thus reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

 

In his address, the deputy mayor of the municipality, Zoran Gerov, explained that with the implementation of this project, Dimitrovgrad and other local governments will improve waste management and the state of the environment.

The “O-dva-ja-mo” domestic waste separation project will provide 26 waste collection vehicles and over 90,000 bins and containers, as well as public opinion research and public information campaigns.

Ambassador Giaufret meets Serbian Minister Miščević

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Minister for European Integration, Tanja Miščević, met on 1 November with the head of the Delegation of the European Union in Belgrade, Emanuele Giaufret, with whom she discussed Serbia’s upcoming activities in the EU accession process. Minister Miščević presented the Government of Serbia’s plans for the acceleration of reforms in the process of European integration, in order to create benefits for the citizens of Serbia. As she emphasised, reforms in line with European Union standards contribute to a stronger economy, a more stable energy sector, efficient public administration, and especially the rule of law.  
Ambassador Giaufret congratulated Minister Miščević on her appointment saying, “Your leadership and coordination role for all EU-related matters will be key in successfully meeting the challenges that lie ahead of us. Our close cooperation with you, the Ministry of Finance and other relevant ministries will be essential in accelerating the adoption of reforms for the benefit of Serbia’s citizens and the implementation of the EU Economic and Investment Plan.” Ambassador Giaufret invited the Minister to make use of the recently published 2022 Commission Report on Serbia as a guidance for reforms.

€165 million of EU aid to Serbia for energy

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The European Union will provide Serbia with €165 million in direct budget support so that citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises can pay for energy and deal with the current energy crisis. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the support during a tour of the works on the gas interconnector near Niš. “I think this is necessary so that Serbia, like other countries, can support the vulnerable parts of society, so that they can cope with the higher prices of energy products,” she said.

 

The President of the Commission noted that this is a short-term solution and that it is necessary to work additionally on the strategic strengthening of energy security, regional and European connection and the diversification of gas sources.

 

The new Serbia – Bulgaria gas interconnector will make it possible for the country and the region to receive gas from different sources. The project was partially financed through EU grants, with €49.6 million euros, as well as a €25 million favourable loan from the European Investment Bank, for Serbia to pay for the part of the gas pipeline that passes through Serbia. So far, the Republic of Serbia has allocated €15 million for this project and €7.5 million for preparatory work and design.

 

The gas interconnector, joining up the gas networks of Serbia and Bulgaria, will increase the diversification of energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkans region, enabling Serbia to have a more secure and stable supply from a number of gas network systems, especially from Azerbaijan and the future LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis, Greece, which can receive gas from all over the world.

Doubling the workforce at Catwalk Sarajevo

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An EU-funded project supported a fashion company from Bosnia and Herzegovina to grow their business.

Catwalk Sarajevo is a fashion company from Sarajevo, founded by Ema Burdžović in 2011, initially as a trade and sales company importing goods to Bosnia and Herzegovina and selling them in their Sarajevo shop. However, as Ema explains, the business did not go well at that time as she was aiming to import quality goods which were expensive, and the turnover was not high enough due to overall buyer capacity in the economic situation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Six years ago, she decided to change her strategy and shift from trade to production, employing two experienced tailors.

However, the shift was not an easy one. Ema is an economist by profession and at the time of the shift she knew very little about the specifics of the textile production process. She remembers facing numerous challenges in securing raw materials, proper machinery and the necessary workforce. “Unfortunately, there is a trend of skilled workers moving from Bosnia and Herzegovina in search of a better life. It was not easy, but we managed to find qualified and ambitious workers who are the cornerstone of our company,” says Ema.

“The EU-funded project has significantly improved our business and helped us overcome the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic years.”

Just when the company began to settle and build a vision for a better future, the COVID-19 pandemic started. Textile companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina faced numerous challenges during the pandemic. Orders and sales significantly dropped, and supply chains were disrupted, making the purchase of raw materials very difficult from early February 2020. The industry estimates that that every third job lost in the country during the pandemic occurred in the textile sector.

Ema did not have to fire any workers; however, she could not grow as planned. At that time, she came across the announcement by the EU-funded project EU4Business Recovery who provided financial and technical support to the textile industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina, mitigating the impact of the pandemic on sales and jobs. Ema applied and got the support she needed so badly. “The EU-funded project has significantly improved our business and helped us overcome the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic years,” she says.

Crucial contributions from the project included the purchase of new equipment and launch of an online store, as well as a new retail store in Montenegro.

“With the support we received from the EU, we doubled the number of our workers, from 12 to 24.”

About the project

The EU-funded “COVID-19 Investment Response-EU4 Business Recovery” project is implemented by the

International Labour Organisation, in partnership with the German development agency GIZ and the United Nations Development Programme. The aim of the project is to support the recovery of the BiH economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific objective is to provide emergency support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to ensure their business continuity, retain more than 1,000 jobs, and create at least 100 new jobs, especially supporting women entrepreneurs, young people and other vulnerable groups.

As a result of the support from the project, the management originally planned to create five new jobs. Ema proudly points out that that aim was not only achieved but eventually exceeded. “With the support we received from the EU, we doubled the number of our workers, from 12 to 24,” she says.

The company is currently launching their new product line – swimsuits – and have improved their production processes by purchasing software for clothes design. They also aim to start exporting to EU countries. According to Ema, their vision is to build a strong medium-sized factory that will not grow too big, but will be able to make sufficient profit – and, more importantly, pay good salaries for their workers.

Public Address by President von der Leyen in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Dear Members of the Presidency-elect,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Dear representatives of businesses and civil society,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

It is such a pleasure for me to be in Sarajevo at this historic moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina. But before I speak about this beautiful city and country, allow me to take you for one moment to the city where I was born and where I live. The city of Brussels. In the heart of Brussels, there is a piece of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a huge, colourful mural, painted by a young artist from Sarajevo – whose name is Rikardo Druškić. It brings light and joy from the Balkans into the grey Brussels weather. But beyond the beauty of it, the mural sends a clear message: It says that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a place in the heart of the European Union. You are part of Europe. You belong in our Union. And it was so moving to see the European flag shine on three landmark monuments in Sarajevo, in Banja Luka and in Mostar – to celebrate our proposal to make Bosnia and Herzegovina a candidate for EU membership. Because our flag will be your flag, too. It belongs in this country. And this is why I came here today. This is what I want to say to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Your future is Europe.

 

And this is not primarily because of our proposal to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status. It is because the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina deeply believe in Europe. Over three quarters of your citizens support EU membership. There is a solid majority in favour of it in all parts of the country. And this faith in Europe is even stronger among young people. For young people in this country, Europe means economic prosperity and freedom of movement. But it is not just that. The path towards our Union is also the path towards a better Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is about turning this country into the country of their dreams. There is an entire generation of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who are born after the war. They do not want their country to be defined and divided by its tragic past. They want a country that is united by a common sense of purpose. And membership to the European Union is part of that purpose. And you, the new leadership of this country, are the people who can make their dream come true. With your political work, the country has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move forward. This is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s moment, and I would like to encourage everyone of you to seize this moment.

 

This is also the meaning of our recommendation to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The last four years have not been easy. Because of COVID-19, because of the war on Ukraine, because of deep political divisions. And yet, even in difficult circumstances, some progress has been made – on public procurement and in achieving membership of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. This should teach us all a very simple lesson: If there is a will, there is always a way. Now is the time for the country to come together once again, and advance on the path towards our Union. I will not dwell on the eight reform steps that we have outlined clearly in our recommendation. We all know that passing these reforms will not be easy. But I would invite you to always set your sights on what lies at the end of the path. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a country where everyone is equal before the law. A country where young people unfold their talent and hard work into success. They love their country. They want opportunities here. A country that is attractive for investors. A country where everyone feels represented – people who identify as Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, as well as people who just feel citizens of this country. The reforms do not only matter because they lead to our Union, they matter because they will make your country a better place for all its people.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The path that leads to Europe is clear. And the door is open. And it is up to you to walk together through this door. This is your historic responsibility as the new leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But we will always be at your side. Our proposal for candidate status is a clear political statement. And we will support your reforms, and accompany you all the way through. We are ready to push the integration of our economies even further, with no further delay.

 

A lot of good work is already ongoing. One year ago, during my last visit, I crossed an EU-funded bridge that links Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later today, I will inaugurate the Ivan Tunnel that will connect Mostar to Sarajevo and, further north, to Budapest. Bosnia and Herzegovina lies at the heart of Europe and you should also lie at the heart of our trade and economic exchanges. This cooperation becomes even more crucial at a time when Putin’s energy war is hitting families and businesses all across our continent. Today, I would like to announce that the European Union is putting together an energy support package for the Western Balkans. It will include EUR 71 million for the short term to address the fallout of higher energy prices for businesses and vulnerable households right here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And in the medium term, it will speed up the transition towards more reliable sources of energy. I am speaking about solar, wind and biomass power plants that can be built in less than one year, but also about new interconnectors between Bosnia and Herzegovina and your neighbours.

 

I know that many people in the country feel anxious after Russia’s aggression of Ukraine. Not only has Putin launched an assault on basic international rules that have guaranteed peace in this country since 1995. Putin’s war is also having a direct economic impact on all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The best solution to this is an even closer cooperation with the European Union. This is your immediate interest, and it will also bring you closer to our Single Market and to membership of our Union.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

These are times of rapid change in the Western Balkans and in Europe. We have opened accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. We have granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, and recognised Georgia’s European perspective. There is new momentum to bring the European family together. And now, Bosnia and Herzegovina is moving ahead, too. Let us be honest. This seemed impossible until just a few months ago. And yet here I am, in Sarajevo, celebrating with you a new page in our common history. If there is a will, there is a way. And if Bosnia and Herzegovina finds unity of purpose, there is nothing that can stop you.

 

This summer, the success story of one young girl from Mostar literally made waves through the world. 16-year-old swimmer Lana Pudar won European gold in the women’s 200-metre butterfly and broke all Bosnian records. Her story is the story of this country. It was not easy for her to train, in a city that lacks an Olympic-size swimming pool. But Lana has made it against all odds. And now, because of her success, a new Olympic swimming pool will be built in Mostar. Lana has become a symbol, not just in her hometown, not just in her community, but all across the country. Her victory has been celebrated by all people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in all entities and across boundaries. This is the dream of your young people. The dream of a country united in its diversity, and united with its neighbours in one European family. And this dream can be realised. Let us work for it – together.

 

Thank you.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opens Tunnel Ivan

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At a ribbon cutting ceremony at Tunnel Ivan today, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers Zoran Tegeltija officially opened Tunnel Ivan and the Tarčin – Ivan subsection. This marks another step forward in building Corridor 5c, the largest and most significant infrastructure project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, improving connectivity in the country and between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union as well as the region.  
President von der Leyen is in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of a visit to the EU’s six Western Balkans partners. The visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina takes place in the context of the European Commission’s recent recommendation of candidate status for the country. In meetings with the BiH Presidency, Chairman Tegeltija and Members of the Presidency elect as well as during a major speech before BiH political representatives, representatives of civil society, culture and the business community, President von der Leyen underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina belongs in the European Union.

Statement by President von der Leyen on the occasion of her official visit to Serbia

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Mr President, dear Aleksandar,  
It is wonderful to be back here in Serbia. I am very glad to be at this very special place, which I think shows the profound bonds we do have and our great cooperation. Today, we are watching the progress of the interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria. It is great to see that this important project is taking shape. Indeed, you have just mentioned the funding that is coming from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. It is round about 80%. And what we want to see is not only gas flowing from Bulgaria to Serbia, but this project will be one step further to bring us closer to each other. It will open Serbia’s gas market for diversification. It will improve Serbia’s energy security. And it will be important to see that we are very much looking forward to having this project now completed in hopefully one year. So we will press on both sides – I know that it takes two to tango, in this project, too – so that we are on time, because it is needed. We need to diversify our gas supplies. We see that dependency that is too much focused on Russian gas is not good. We have felt it bitterly during the last months. So the diversification away to reliable suppliers is paramount for us.  
I am very glad that we are also here today with an energy project, because we are already together in an Energy Union. By that I mean that, whatever the European Union does, the Western Balkans are included because we are so much interconnected that, in our Energy Union, whatever the one or the other does has an influence on us. If something happens in the European Union, it has an influence in the Western Balkans. If here something, for example an improvement with the gas interconnector, happens, it has a positive influence for the whole European Union because we are in an Energy Union.  
And we have been working very hard during the last months in this Energy Union to master the energy crisis. Just a reminder for you: Russia has cut 100 billion cubic metres of gas and we have been able to compensate. We have been able to compensate by diversifying away to other reliable suppliers. Now, we invite everyone, and Serbia too, to join us in our EU joint procurement of gas because we want to use our market power as the Energy Union to achieve better results on the global market where there is a lot of competition for gas, mainly LNG, and to be there as a European Energy Union exerting our market power for better results on the prices.  
You are here in Serbia as affected as the rest of the European Union by the difficulties we have in the energy market overall. So there is another step that we are taking forward. We have decided that we want to take two steps: One is a short-term support, not only for the Member States, but also for the Western Balkans. And here, I am happy to announce that EUR 165 million in grants for immediate budget support are available for Serbia. And I think this is absolutely necessary so that Serbia, like other countries, is able to support vulnerable families, vulnerable households and vulnerable businesses, small and medium enterprises, so that they can cope with the high energy prices. But this is not a long-term solution. It is not a sustainable solution. What we need is investment.  
And therefore, Mr President, dear Aleksandar, the second part, I think, is at least as important. These are EUR 500 million in grants in investment in infrastructure. Infrastructure like we see it here. Infrastructure that is badly needed. For example, if I may quote a few topics that are on our list, the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor – that is fascinating. It is going to be electricity from Italy to Bulgaria via Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina. All of it will be interconnected so that we can help each other, that we can serve each other and that we are never going to be again in such a bottleneck situation as we are today.  
Another project that is very dear to my heart is that we want to support Serbia together in building a new, a modern and more energy-efficient University Children’s Hospital in Belgrade. This is a project on which I am very glad that we can advance together. Let me give you one figure: 40% of the emissions we lose go through buildings that are badly insulated. So the other way round is also true: The better, the more energy efficient we build buildings, the better it is for the climate. But of course, the better it is also for our energy efficiency. This hospital should be completed by 2025.  
And then indeed what I just saw, and Mr President, you explained to me the third element that is so important, that is the gas interconnector between Serbia and North Macedonia. Here too, this will allow to complete the region. All this is in our projects and in this package.  
Finally, a last point: This energy crisis stems from the atrocious war that Russia is leading against Ukraine. And this war is redefining the security landscape of our entire continent. So it is for the European Union of utmost importance to invest even further in our Western Balkan partners – more than ever before because these investments are investments for the future. They are investments in peace. They are investment in the stability, in the prosperity of our shared continent. And let me assure you that the European Union is and will remain Serbia’s most important political and economic partner.  
Due to the good progress that was made in the past, Serbia is one of the most advanced countries on the European path. And as you know, we want you to take now the next further very important steps towards the European Union. We know the topics, we will discuss them later bilaterally – be it the independence and the accountability of the judiciary or the fight against corruption. I know that you are very engaged in that. And may I thank you, Mr President, for your latest announcement that the Serbian visa policy will be aligned with that of the European Union by the end of the year. This is an important announcement, many thanks for that. This is absolutely the right direction to head forward.  
Last but not least, we will have tonight a bilateral meeting. I think there are other topics on the agenda. If I may express a deep wish, that is the wish that we will have progress in the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Here too, I know it is always necessary to have two sides. But we all know by experience that only with dialogue are we able to solve conflicts and to move forward in an acceptable way for all of us. So my comment in the very end is: I know that Serbia’s future is in the European Union. I know that our European Union is not complete without Serbia. We share the same commitment to our common European future. Therefore, let us continue the hard work for this common future.  
Thank you very much for having invited me here today.

Maintaining standards as the crème de la crème

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A dairy company in Bosnia and Herzegovina improves its production process with the help of the EU.

Meggle BH is one of the most successful companies in the production of dairy products on the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thanks to the introduction of innovative approaches to their work, and compliance with high production standards, a blue clover on white dairy product packaging is now a household name for quality all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Meggle group has a long tradition in dairy production, having been founded in 1887 by Josef Anton Meggle from Bavaria.

“Given the demands of local and foreign markets, we needed to modernise the plant and expand the capacity for fresh cheese and kajmak cream production, so we did, by installing state-of-the-art equipment, for part of which we received support through the EU4AGRI project.”

Meggle was introduced to the Bosnian market in the early nineties. Initially, they imported and distributed Meggle products. Soon, the company started to make plans to launch production facilities in the country, and at the beginning of the 2000s they bought a dairy factory in Bihać and established themselves as a dairy production company. Meggle BH offers more than 150 products in its product range; its homemade milk, yogurt, kefir, sour cream, cooking cream, kajmak, buttercream, and other products hold a special place in many households.

Jadranka Penava joined Meggle at the very beginning of their operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the beginning of the nineties and is now the CEO of Meggle BH. She explains that the Bosnian market received them warmly from the beginning, and they have had continuous success and steady growth in the country since the start of their operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Last year we collected 50 million litres of milk from our 2,500 farmers across the country whom we consider to be a very important part of our business because if you don’t have quality milk in the neighbourhood then you cannot be successful in this business,” says Jadranka.

During 2021, with the support of the EU4AGRI project, the company improved its production processes by purchasing a modern machine for packaging fresh cheese and kajmak. The capacities of the old production and packaging machine for cheese and kajmak were 1,800 tubs per hour, while the new one has a capacity of 3,200 to 4,100 tubs of different weights, in the same period of time. It also allows for packaging of products in various forms of tubs, which is essential when placing products on the market. “Given the demands of local and foreign markets, we needed to modernise the plant and expand the capacity for fresh cheese and kajmakproduction, so we did, by installing state-of-the-art equipment, for part of which we received support through the EU4AGRI project.” explains Jadranka.

“As a leader in the BiH market, Meggle is expected to meet market needs, and improve and develop production processes, as well as to have ongoing launches of new and innovative products. This investment helps us very much in this regard.”

About the project

The EU4AGRI project is a four-year initiative (2020-2024) aimed at modernising the agri-food sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, creating new jobs, as well as retaining existing ones, and supporting recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. The total value of the project is €20.25 million, mainly funded by the European Union, but jointly implemented and co-financed by the Czech Development Agency and the United Nations Development Programme in BiH.

The EU4AGRI project has so far supported BiH farmers and enterprises with 45 investments worth nearly €5.5 million, of which over €3.2 million was financed by the European Union.

The purchase of a new machine also contributed to the increase of product quality and safety of the production process, and the automation of certain steps reduced the possibility of human error. “As a leader in the BiH market, Meggle is expected to meet market needs, and improve and develop production processes, as well as to have ongoing launches of new and innovative products. This investment helps us very much in this regard,” adds Jadranka.

The support of the EU4AGRI project through the introduction of new technologies will certainly contribute to the further development and positioning of this company in domestic and foreign markets, and especially in meeting the high-quality standards for products marked with a blue clover.

The value of the investment supported through the EU4AGRI project is around BAM 730,000 (almost €375,000) of which the European Union’s co-financing was around BAM 300,000 (almost €155,000).

Statement by President von der Leyen on the occasion of her official visit to Albania

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Thank you very much, dear Prime Minister, dear Edi,  
It is very good to be back here in Tirana. So much has happened since my last visit. It is just a year ago, I think, since I came last time to Tirana. In July, you started the accession negotiations with the European Union. And I was very glad to be with you in this historic moment. It was a touching moment, a very special moment. But let me repeat what I said at that time: It is your success. It is the result of many years of hard work done by Albania and the Albanian people. Years of patience, too. I remember that vividly, of course. You maintained a very strong focus on the European path, on the process. And therefore, this is now paying off with the accession negotiations. You have shown time and again your commitment to the values of the European Union. You are fully aligned with the European Union’s response to Russia’s brutal war of aggression. I must say it is exemplary how Albania has been actively defending the rules-based international order in the UN Security Council. I really thank you for this clear commitment. This honours you. It shows time and again that we are a community of shared values.  
Albania is now firmly moving forward on its European Union’s path. The screening process that has started is on track. The latest enlargement report that has just recently been published shows all the progress that Albania is making. You are strengthening the rule of law, with important reforms of your judicial system, for which you actually managed to build a cross-party consensus, and I really thank you for that. Because we know by experience that this is a precondition, but it is not easy, it takes a lot of strength to do that. And it is the right way to go forward. You have adopted new measures to ensure equality and inclusion in your society. Your economy has come back strong after COVID. These are all very tangible and very visible achievements. And these are achievements in a very challenging time. I am talking of course about Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the terrible cruelty and destruction that it is bringing to the Ukrainian people. Russia is breaking international law and disrespecting the UN Charter. And we also see and feel that Russia is using energy as a weapon, and by that it is manipulating the market. And of course, we all feel the knock-on effects of the rising energy prices and the unstable security of supply of energy. Fortunately, as you have said, Albania is completely independent from Russian gas, due to your hydropower system. But of course, the electricity that comes to Albania is influenced by the disturbances that we see in the energy market – the skyrocketing prices. And thus, it is also affecting your country; it is also affecting Albania. In the European Union, we have decided that the only possible response is unity and solidarity. As we are in this together, the response, together with Albania, is unity and solidarity.  
We are in an Energy Union already. We are putting forward now an energy support package for the Western Balkans. We are doing the same in the European Union. It includes, first of all, direct budget support to address the impact of high energy prices that it has on families and businesses as you have said. There will be EUR  80 million of grants. And if I understood it correctly, you have a system in place that is good to support families and small and medium enterprises in this difficult time. The second part is not looking at the immediate support that will be accessible from January on. But the second part looks into the mid and long term – the support for the energy system: Here, we are talking about EUR 500 million in grants to invest in energy infrastructure for the whole region. It is going to be channelled through the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. And it is already at work here. Indeed, I saw the beginning of the railway that is being built. But for me, it is also very important that we invest in renewable energy. Because renewable energy is home-grown; it gives us independence; it creates good jobs here in the region; and it is good for the climate. Investment will go into the floating solar power plant in Vau i Dejës. The modernisation of the Fierza hydroelectric power plant. I was stunned to see that it produces one quarter of the overall electricity production, and also to see for example the energy renovation of the campus of the University of Tirana. These are only few examples. But they show the direction of travel.  
Dear Prime Minister, dear Edi, I think, once again, Albania can be proud of its achievements. Because indeed, from your words, but more from your deeds, you prove that your people have shown not only vision but also resilience. You are on track on your way to the European Union. And therefore, from my part also: Congratulations to the fact that on 6 December, we are going to meet again, here in Tirana, with the European Council and we will have the Western Balkans Summit here in Tirana. It is going to be a very important meeting. I am very much looking forward to that. And many thanks again for the hospitality today.

YEAs participate in European Migration Forum in Brussels

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On 20-21 October, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) Teodora Cekić and Jehona Pnishi participated in the seventh European Migration Forum held in Brussels.

 

The Forum is co-organised and run by the European Commission – DG HOME (the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs) – and the European Economic and Social Committee, to encourage exchange and dialogue on migration, asylum and integration between civil society and European institutions. Since 2022 is the European Year of Youth, this year’s edition of the European Migration Forum was titled “Youth inclusion: key to successful migrant integration”.

 

Teodora participated in the workshop on the topic of “legal migration: youth mobility,” in the context of education and the labour mobility of young people, and Jehona participated in the workshop on the topic of young migrants’ access to education and training.

 

In the session “The Floor is Yours” where participants suggest further topics to discuss in parallel break-out sessions, the YEAs suggested the inclusion of young European migrants from non-EU countries in the EU, and related political and social issues. In addition, during the forum, Teodora and Jehona had an opportunity to take part, with 15 other young leaders, in a session offering a co-creative space for young participants, with the aim of allowing a youth-led discussion where they were able to focus exclusively on their perspectives on migration.