Ursula von der Leyen Begins Balkan Tour

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has commenced a tour of the Western Balkans, emphasizing that EU enlargement remains a priority for the bloc. Her visit comes after Serbia's Prime Minister Milos Vucevic's meeting with a Russian minister led to the cancellation of a planned talks, highlighting the delicate geopolitical dynamics in the region. Von der Leyen's tour aims to reassure Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina of their EU aspirations, which have gained urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed hope for Albania's EU membership by 2030 amid ongoing reforms, while von der Leyen praised the nation's progress towards accession negotiations. The EU has also proposed a six billion euro growth plan to support the economies of the Western Balkans, contingent on the implementation of necessary reforms. This renewed focus on enlargement indicates a shift in Brussels' approach to the region, which has faced stalled progress over the past two decades.