President Begaj advocates for Albania’s EU membership in meeting with Von der Leyen
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen and Bajram Begaj
In a pivotal meeting today, Albanian President Bajram Begaj urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to prioritize Albania’s aspirations for EU membership. The discussions centered on Albania’s integration into the EU and the future of the Western Balkans.
Why is this important: President von der Leyen praised Begaj’s commitment to Albania’s European future, highlighting the transformative opportunities that EU integration can provide for peace and economic growth in the region. She emphasized the importance of making the integration of Albania and the Western Balkans a key priority during her second term.
Begaj expressed gratitude for von der Leyen’s efforts to accelerate the opening of all negotiation chapters with Albania by the end of 2025, expressing confidence in Albania’s ability to complete these essential steps in alignment with the ambitions of its people.
He also thanked von der Leyen for her support during the recent Berlin Summit and the EU’s endorsement of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s role as a catalyst for regional cooperation, stating that European integration requires proactive collaboration among Western Balkan nations.
This meeting follows von der Leyen’s recent engagements in Albania, including discussions with Prime Minister Edi Rama and the inauguration of the College of Europe campus in Tirana, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the EU’s €6 billion support package for the region and reinforce ongoing reforms.
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