# EU-Western Balkans diplomatic relations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/eu-western-balkans-diplomatic-relations
> Updated: 2026-09-30T04:46:55.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 5.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has commenced a three-day diplomatic tour of the Western Balkans, beginning in Tirana, Albania, on September 30. The itinerary, which runs through October 2, includes visits to Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, while excluding Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina due to upcoming elections.

In Albania, von der Leyen is meeting with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss the country’s path toward EU membership and the implementation of the Western Balkans Growth Plan. This 6 billion euro plan for the 2024–2027 period aims to accelerate economic convergence, with access to funds tied to specific reforms. Albania is slated to receive 922.1 million euros in grants and preferential loans, having already been allocated 212.8 million euros for infrastructure and reform progress through May 2026.

While Albania has opened all 33 negotiation chapters and temporarily closed three—science and research, education and culture, and foreign relations—the EU emphasizes that the pace of accession depends on judicial and anti-corruption reforms. Von der Leyen has praised Albania’s progress toward EU standards, noting its leadership in the integration process. The Albanian government is aiming for full membership by the end of the decade, with a goal to conclude negotiations by 2027.

In Kosovo, discussions with President Albulena Haxhiu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti will focus on gradual integration and regional growth. In Montenegro, officials expect support for the integration process, noting that positions for approximately ten negotiation chapters have been submitted. The tour will conclude in North Macedonia, where addressing the dispute with Bulgaria remains a priority to ensure “predictability for the integration process.”

## Claims

- Ursula von der Leyen is beginning a three-day tour of the Western Balkans starting in Albania on September 30. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The tour includes visits to Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are not included in the current tour itinerary due to upcoming elections. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to support economic development in the region. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Western Balkans Growth Plan has a total budget of 6 billion euros for the 2024-2027 period. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The tour focuses on accelerating integration through the single European market and the Growth Plan. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Filip Ivanović expects von der Leyen to call for political unity in Montenegro. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Montenegro has submitted positions for approximately ten EU negotiation chapters. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Albanian government aims to complete EU negotiations by 2027 and join the EU by the end of the decade. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Ursula von der Leyen begins Western Balkans tour in Albania

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a Western Balkans tour in Albania, focusing on EU integration, judicial reforms, and the 6-billion-euro Western Balkans Growth Plan.

28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ursula-von-der-leyen-begins-western-balkans-tour-in-albania

### 2026-09-28: Ursula von der Leyen to tour Western Balkans for EU integration talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is touring the Western Balkans, visiting Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia to discuss EU integration and economic growth plans.

30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ursula-von-der-leyen-to-visit-montenegro-to-discuss-eu-accession

### 2026-09-25: Ursula von der Leyen to begin Western Balkans tour

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will tour the Western Balkans next week, visiting Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia to meet with regional leaders.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ursula-von-der-leyen-to-begin-western-balkans-tour

### 2026-09-23: Vučić and von der Leyen hold spontaneous meeting in New York

European Commission officials stated that a meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Ursula von der Leyen at the UN General Assembly was spontaneous and brief.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vui-and-von-der-leyen-hold-spontaneous-meeting-in-new-york

### 2026-09-19: Ursula von der Leyen to visit Western Balkans, skipping Serbia and Bosnia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, but has excluded Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from her upcoming Western Balkans tour.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ursula-von-der-leyen-to-visit-western-balkans-skipping-serbia-and-bosnia

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Cite as: EU-Western Balkans diplomatic relations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/eu-western-balkans-diplomatic-relations