6 October 2026 07:20 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Read original source ↗ · Email X Link

Ursula von der Leyen highlights Western Balkans accession progress

Key points

Ursula von der Leyen states that enlargement is a two-way process requiring preparation from both candidate countries and the European Union.
Montenegro and Albania are praised for their progress as frontrunners in the EU accession process.

TL;DR

Ursula von der Leyen visited the Western Balkans to reiterate EU support for accession and highlight that the EU must also prepare to welcome new members.
Montenegro and Albania are recognized as frontrunners in the accession process, having delivered over 90% and 80% of necessary reforms respectively.
The European Commission plans to present pre-enlargement policy reviews focusing on institutions, policies, and the budget.
The Growth Plan facilitates economic convergence with the Single Market by pairing European investments and partial market access with key reforms.
Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia joined the Single European Payment Area, and Montenegro joined the Roam like at home initiative.

Original text

European Commission - Announcement “Enlargement is a two-way process” says President von der Leyen during travel to the Western Balkans. Brussels, 6 October 2026 Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to the Western Balkans for the sixth consecutive year last week, where she reiterated the EU's support for the partners' paths toward EU accession . Her visit was also the occasion to emphasise that, while candidate countries are making progress, the EU must also be ready to welcome them. President von der Leyen praised the progress made by Montenegro and Albania , both frontrunners in the accession process. In Montenegro, she underlined the country's readiness, saying: “My first message is this: we believe in Montenegro '28 by 28'. And we will support you all the way. (…) The finish line is in sight. And crossing it would send a powerful signal across the Western Balkans: reforms deliver. And EU membership is within reach.” While in Albania , she praised the progress made by the country : “Albania is among the frontrunners in our accession process. Since I was last here, Albania has made remarkable progress. You opened the final cluster of negotiating chapters. And in July, you closed your first three chapters. Including external relations. This is important progress.” During her tour, the President of the Commission highlighted the need for the EU to ensure the Union is ready to welcome new Member States. She underlined the upcoming pre- enlargement policy reviews, which will have a look at what needs to be improved or changed. She declared: “You are getting ready. And so are we. Because enlargement is a two-way process. (…) That is why next week we will present our pre-enlargement policy reviews. We will look at our institutions, our policies, and our budget. All that has to be done to be ready to welcome a new Member State and to make sure our Union is ready to become larger in all the policies and institutions that we have.” President von der Leyen highlighted the success of the Growth Plan , which allows candidate countries' economies to gradually converge with the Single Market . In the words of the President, the Growth Plan's principle is the following: “ We bring more European investments. And, as you prepare to join our Union, we open parts of our Single Market to you already now. At the same time, you adopt the key reforms needed to compete and thrive in our respective markets. This is how your economy can gradually converge with the Single Market of the European Union.” Montenegro is leading integration in the region with over 90% of all necessary reforms delivered, followed by Albania with over 80% of reforms delivered. The President of the Commission also mentioned the Single European Payment Area, SEPA , which was joined by Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia . As the President of the Commission laid out, SEPA has the potential to save Western Balkan's companies around €500 million per year. President von der Leyen additionally mentioned Roam like at home, which allows to reduce roaming charges . Montenegro has joined Roam like at home, and negotiations are still ongoing with the other partners. During her visit to the region, the President also visited several projects. In Montenegro, she attended the inauguration of the new National Coordination Centre, which will equip Montenegro's border police to better monitor its borders and coordinate with EU agencies. In Albania, she visited the Emin Duraku school, which had been destroyed by the 2019 earthquake but was rebuilt thanks to the EU4Schools programme . Lastly, in Kosovo, she visited the University of Pristina, where the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences was built with European Funds . More information: Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Rama Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti Statement by President von der Leyen with Prime Minister of Montenegro Spajić Statement by President von der Leyen with Prime Minister of North Macedonia Mickoski Audiovisual coverage AC/26/2078 <@rel_link@> Related media Visit of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to Albania (Western Balkans tour)

Ursula von der Leyen highlights Western Balkans accession progress

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