24/10/2024• News• Bianka Hada
President of the Republic, H. E. Mr. Bajram Begaj, today welcomed the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with whom he held an open discussion about Albania’s EU integration and the European future of the Western Balkans.
Ms. von der Leyen praised the personal commitment of the Head of State to Albania’s future in the European Union, as well as the unique perspective that this integration offers for reconciliation, economic integration, and the prosperity of the region.
President Begaj commended President von der Leyen for making the integration of Albania and the Western Balkans into the EU a top priority during her second term as President of the European Commission.
The President of the Republic valued President von der Leyen’s commitment to expedite the opening of all chapters with Albania by the end of 2025.
President Begaj expressed his conviction that Albania and its institutions would successfully and timely complete the essential chapters, thereby keeping pace with the Albanian people’s aspiration for full EU membership.
The President of the Republic expressed his gratitude to the President of the European Commission for her support for Albania’s European journey, highlighting the importance of the messages at the recent Berlin Summit, as well as the EU’s approval of the Western Balkans Growth Plan.
President Begaj emphasized in this meeting that Albania would continue to be a promoter of regional cooperation, expressing his belief that there can be no European integration of the region without economic integration and proactive cooperation among the Western Balkan countries.