Ursula von der Leyen to begin Western Balkans tour

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will begin a multi-day tour of the Western Balkans next week to engage with regional leaders regarding European integration processes.

The tour is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Tirana, Albania, where von der Leyen will meet with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama. On Thursday, she will travel to Pristina, Kosovo, for meetings with Acting President Albulena Haxhiu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

The itinerary continues in Podgorica, Montenegro, to meet with President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, before concluding on Friday in Skopje, North Macedonia, for talks with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

According to European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are not included in this specific tour due to upcoming elections in those countries.