Von der Leyen will visit Tirana, Prishtina, Podgorica and Skopje from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, meeting the countries’ presidents and prime ministers and visiting EU-funded projects, European Commission spokesperson Arianna Podesta said, Radio Free Europe reported.

Podesta said Von der Leyen planned to visit Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina at a later date, ahead of parliamentary and general elections in the two countries.

The trip will be Von der Leyen’s sixth visit to the region and has become a regular fixture ahead of the European Commission’s annual progress reports on EU candidate countries.

“As the president said at the June summit, our Union will not be complete without the Western Balkans,” Podesta said. She added that Von der Leyen would discuss with regional partners the steps needed on their path to EU membership and the gradual integration process supported by the Western Balkans Growth Plan.

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After meetings in North Macedonia and Kosovo, PM Rama will head off to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and will conclude his tour with visit to Serbia.

“Sending a greeting to whole Kosovo, we will head off to Sarajevo on second day of meetings in region,” PM Rama said via the social media.

The government head will meet with the chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina at 10:55 hrs and the two will hold a joint press conference after bilateral talks.

PM Rama will be received by Montenegro’s acting Prime Minister at 13:45 hrs and the two prime ministers will appear at a joint press conference at 15:40 hrs.

The government head will hold bilateral meeting with Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic at 16:00 hrs.

PM Rama will then travel to Belgrade, where he will meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the two will hold a press conference at 20:00 hrs.

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Albanian PM Rama was received with an official ceremony by his counterpart Dimitar Kovacevski and the two will appear at a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting.

PM Rama is accompanied by the Minister of Defence Niko Peleshi, and Minister of State and Chief Negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka.

According to the official agenda, PM Rama will meet leaders of North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia to discuss preparations for the Berlin Process.

PM Rama said during a visit to Ulqin several days ago that the Open Balkan initiative had completed its mission and now it is time for the Balkan leaders to focus on efforts to push the Berlin Process forward.

Tirana will host the next Berlin Process summit on October 16.

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According to the official agenda, PM Rama will meet leaders of North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia.

The first capital Rama will visit is Skopje, North Macedonia, where he’ll meet the country’s PM, Dimitar Kovacevski. The two will then appear at a joint press conference.

PM Rama will travel to Kosovo later on the day to meet with President Vjosa Osmani, Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

On Friday, the Albanian PM Rama will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he will meet the chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, Borjana Kriston, after which he will head to Podgorica, Montenegro, where he’ll meet with the acting PM, Dritan Abazovic, and President Jakov Milatovic.

PM Rama will end his Balkan tour with a visit to Serbia, where he will meet President Aleksandar Vucic.

PM Rama said during a visit to Ulqin several days ago that the Open Balkan initiative had completed its mission and now it is time for the Balkan leaders to focus on efforts to push the Berlin Process forward.

Tirana will host the next Berlin Process summit on October 16.

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