Ursula von der Leyen’s Western Balkans tour: A path towards closer EU ties
28/10/2024
From 23 October, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, visited the Western Balkans, where she reaffirmed the EU’s support for economic reforms, regional cooperation, and immediate aid for flood recovery.
Her visit, following the approval of the Reform Agendas, underscored EU support for socio-economic reforms and regional cooperation. Starting in Tirana, Albania, she inaugurated the College of Europe campus, highlighting opportunities for young leaders. As she travelled through Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, she emphasised economic integration, support for renewable energy, and the promise of closer ties with the European Union.
Throughout her visit, von der Leyen praised the reforms undertaken by each country and announced substantial EU investments to bolster infrastructure and clean energy projects. Her message was consistent: the EU is committed to supporting the region’s progress towards EU integration, with the Growth Plan offering both immediate aid and long-term investments. From addressing climate challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina to advancing energy projects in Montenegro, von der Leyen’s tour reflected a commitment to a future where Western Balkan partners play a vital role within the European Union.
My thoughts are with the victims and the families and friends they left behind. Europe is by your side. Europe stands with you, and we are here not only for the short run but also for the mid and long-term.
Ursula von der Leyen, during her visit to the region hardest hit by the floods in Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Tirana she met with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama where she focused on Albania’s EU integration and the EU’s Growth Plan, and highlighted renewable energy initiatives and EU solidarity on climate challenges. The next day, she visited North Macedonia to meet President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, where she focused on EU support through the Growth Plan and efforts towards economic integration.
We open the door to specific sectors in the Single Market of the European Union to the companies of our Western Balkan partners. In turn, our partners in the Western Balkans are implementing important reforms to establish a level playing field. And these reforms are supported by us, through additional European investments.
Ursula von der LeyenOn 25 October, she travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she met with Chairwoman Borjana Krišto in Sarajevo. There, sheannounced €20 million in immediate aid for flood recovery and highlighted the EU’s Growth Plan to support regional integration. Later that day, she travelled to Belgrade, Serbia, where she met with President Aleksandar Vučić. Their discussions focused on Serbia’s progress towards EU membership, with von der Leyen emphasising Growth Plan investments aimed at bolstering Serbia’s economic integration and infrastructure development.
In Kosovo, she met with President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, where she praised Kosovo’s progress on EU integration, including the recent implementation of visa-free travel, and stressed the importance of regional cooperation.
In her final stop in, Montenegro, she met with Prime Minister Milojko Spajić in Podgorica. Their discussions focused on Montenegro’s EU accession efforts, with von der Leyen highlighting key EU investments in energy, infrastructure, and cybersecurity as part of Montenegro’s integration journey.