ABC News – “Von der Leyen’s Visit, an Indicator of the Importance of the Western Balkans,” Gjipali: Albania advances toward Membership, October 13, 2025

The Executive Director of EMA, Gledis Gjipali, during an interview with ABC News, commented on the visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as a clear indication of the importance that the European Union attaches to the Western Balkans. The forum focused on key topics of integration and economic development. Specific discussions were held about projects, investments, and agreements that serve the interests of the country and regional policy.

It is important that these meetings are continuous and intensive, especially in recent months. On the other hand, regarding the start of the visit in Tirana and its continuation in other countries of the region, this does not necessarily convey a message concerning the negotiations. However, the meeting demonstrated Albania’s success in the integration process, where the opening of negotiation chapters has taken place in record time. Albania’s aspiration to become part of the European Union by 2030 was also appreciated.

Gjipali further added that the European Commission supports our country and other candidate states through various instruments, both financial and institutional, but the opinion and assessment of the member states also hold significant weight. He emphasized that Albania is currently in a very important phase of getting increasingly closer to the standards of the European Union.

ABC News – “Von der Leyen’s Visit, an Indicator of the Importance of the Western Balkans,” Gjipali: Albania Advances Toward Membership, October 13, 2025