After Albania, von der Leyen in Kosovo today, the road towards the EU in focus

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen continues her Western Balkans tour today (October 1) with a visit to Kosovo, after her stay in Albania. During her stay in Prishtina, von der Leyen is expected to hold meetings with Kosovo’s acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, as well as with Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

According to the media announcement, the meeting with Haxhiu is scheduled to begin at 12:30, at the premises of the Kosovo Presidency. At the centre of the visit are expected to be Kosovo’s European perspective, the further steps in the European Union integration process, and support through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The Kosovo visit is part of a regional tour by the European Commission President in the Western Balkans. After Prishtina, von der Leyen is expected to travel to Podgorica, while the tour will conclude on October 2 in Skopje.

During her visit to Albania, von der Leyen praised the country’s progress on the road towards EU membership. At the joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, she stated that Albania’s membership would strengthen both the country and the European Union. The European Commission President stressed, however, that Albania still has work ahead and that further reforms are required across all the opened negotiation chapters.