Brussels Chief Visits Balkan Countries + video

Ursula von der Leyen meets leaders of the Western Balkans to discuss not only EU accession, but also economic issues.

Ursula von der Leyen is on a multi-day tour of the Balkans. The European Commission president's first stop is in North Macedonia and will then be traveling to Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia. Brussels has been wooing these countries for years with EU membership, but integration has been very slow, if not stalled. Now, 2030 seems to be the newest target date, but many, both inside and outside the EU, are pessimistic about this.

Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Skopje on Sunday evening, which marked the start of the European Commission president's several-day tour of the Western Balkans. Upon her arrival, she met with North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski.

We discussed the progress of the EU membership negotiations and the country's current political situation with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Thank you for your commitment and support to our European integration process

 Pendarovszki wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Со претседателката на Европската Комисија Урсула фон дер Лејен @vonderleyen разговаравме за текот на пристапните преговори за членство во #ЕУ и актуелните политички состојби во земјава. Благодарност за посветеноста и поддршката на нашиот евроинтеграциски процес. pic.twitter.com/nL4beyzLLu

— Stevo Pendarovski (@SPendarovski) October 29, 2023

The host as well as the European leader expressed their satisfaction with the meeting. Von der Leyen stressed that she was happy to start her tour of the Western Balkans in Skopje, Blic Serbian daily newspaper reports.

As you progress on reforms, you are making your way to the EU. We are looking forward to welcoming you, your unique identity and your language, the Macedonian language,

the Commission president wrote on X.

Glad to start my visit to the Western Balkans in Skopje!⁰
As you progress on reforms, you are making your way to the EU.

We are looking forward to welcoming you, your unique identity and your language, the Macedonian language.@SPendarovski pic.twitter.com/MLOQ36WK6L

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 29, 2023

The European Commission president was received at Skopje airport by Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Maricik, who also welcomed her to the candidate country.

In a message posted on Facebook, he said that this visit was a positive signal for the European perspective of the region and a decisive moment for the European integration process. Ursula von der Leyen will meet with North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, who will hold a ceremonial welcome together with the government for her in Skopje. After the meeting, the two leaders will hold a joint press conference.

Von der Leyen will then continue her visit to the region in Pristina, from where she will leave on Tuesday for Podgorica and Belgrade. She will end her trip in Sarajevo on November 1. As previously announced by the European Commission, Von der Leyen's trip will be an opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation with the countries of the region as well as the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Cover photo: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives in North Macedonia (Photo: official Facebook page of Bojan Maricik)