Von der Leyen said she would visit the Emin Duraku school in Tirana with Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday. The school was rebuilt with EU support after the earthquake.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Rama, von der Leyen recalled the EU’s solidarity with Albania following the disaster.

“Dear Edi, tomorrow morning we will have the pleasure of visiting the Emin Duraku school. In 2019, when Albania was hit by the devastating earthquake, I remember those days and how terrible it was. I told you: Europe will stand by your side. And we did,” she said.

Von der Leyen described the EU’s school reconstruction programme as one of the most tangible examples of European solidarity and cooperation with Albania.

“The EU school programme is one that I particularly like. It is perhaps one of the most tangible programmes, one of the most concrete examples of this solidarity and cooperation,” she said.

She said the programme had helped rebuild or renovate 63 schools, providing facilities for a new generation of young Europeans.

“Schools such as Emin Duraku now welcome and educate a new generation of young Europeans. I very much look forward to visiting tomorrow,” von der Leyen said.

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