The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said today in Tirana that the enlargement of the European Union (EU) will remain a priority during her second mandate and praised the efforts of the Albanian government in the European integration process.
At the beginning of the Western Balkans tour, at the joint press conference after the meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Ram, Von der Leyen said that Albania achieved great success by opening cluster 1 last week in accession negotiations with the EU, reports Juronjuz in Albanian.
"You can be sure that enlargement will be a priority in the continuation of my mandate, we have all the mechanisms to do a good job," said Von der Leyen, who will also visit North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro during the tour.
She expressed satisfaction with the opening of cluster 1 in negotiations with Albania and emphasized the importance of the European Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which will bring Albania 920 million euros, of which 64 million by the end of the year.
"Last week, we opened the first cluster in the accession negotiations. Dear Eddie, it is a great success that comes as a result of many, many years of hard work, but also of dedication to that common goal," stated Von der Leyen.
She added that the EU's Growth Plan opens the door to every partner in the Western Balkans and praised Rama's team for doing a "great job" when it comes to the reform agenda.
"Now we have to start financing with 64 million euros before the end of the year. Albania will receive a total of more than 920 million euros from the Growth Plan, which will also bring other results. You are on your way to becoming part of the single euro payment area (SEPA system). That means money transfers will be safer and faster," von der Leyen said.
Von der Leyen and Rama also discussed projects in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency and carbon neutrality.
"You know that the EU has started working on carbon neutrality until 2050, but that shouldn't be a big challenge for you, because you are a leader in that area," Von der Leyen said.
Rama said that Albania is firmly committed to the path to the EU and is convinced of its correctness.
"We want to be in the EU this decade. Albania is on its way to the West," said Rama.
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