European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a tour of the Western Balkans on Monday with a visit to Albania, where she reaffirmed the European Union’s strong support for the country’s accession process.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, von der Leyen praised Albania’s reform progress and said the country was on track to benefit from the EU’s new Growth Plan, which foresees up to one billion euros in support.
“You have made very strong progress in key reforms,” von der Leyen said. “I am very pleased that 100 million euros have already been allocated, and we are now implementing this plan. Albania is on the right path to access the full amount under the Growth Plan.”
She also noted Albania’s recent entry into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and progress in removing roaming charges between the EU and the Western Balkans.
“Two years ago, joining SEPA seemed ambitious, but you made it happen. From last week, money transfers have become safer and cheaper,” von der Leyen said. “Next year, we will remove all roaming charges between Albania and the EU – an excellent step for tourism and for bringing our people closer together.”
Von der Leyen described Albania’s goal of concluding EU accession talks by 2027 as “ambitious but achievable.”
“The moment is now. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has reshaped our continent, and every European nation must choose its place. Albania has made its choice clear,” she said. “Enlargement is not only about economics or geopolitics – it is about people.”
Prime Minister Rama said his talks with von der Leyen covered all key areas of mutual interest, including Albania’s EU negotiation process, which he said was progressing well and rapidly.
“It is an important moment for us,” Rama said. “We highly appreciate the importance that President von der Leyen and the current Commission give to the Western Balkans and to our path toward European integration.”
He highlighted the EU’s new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which aims to deepen reforms and stimulate development through direct financial support.
“We received very positive assessments from the president, and we will continue to fulfill our commitments with diligence and persistence,” Rama said.
The two leaders also discussed strengthening cooperation and regional security, given the Western Balkans’ strategic role at the heart of Europe. Rama reiterated Albania’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and thanked the European Commission for its continued backing of Albania’s reform process.