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Radio Free Europe
- September 18, 2026 14:38
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will skip Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina during her Balkans tour, the European Commission (EC) announced on Friday.
“Gjatë turneut, presidentja von der Leyen do t'i vizitojë Tiranën, Prishtinën, Podgoricën dhe Shkupin. Atje do të takohet me presidentët dhe kryeministrat, si dhe do të vizitojë projekte të financuara nga Bashkimi Evropian”, tha zëdhënësja e KE-së, Arianna Podesta.
The visit to the four countries in the region is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 2.
Von der Leyen has had a warm relationship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for years, often addressing him with the words "dear Aleksandar".
This approach has been criticized by experts dealing with the Western Balkans.
It was previously said that von der Leyen would not visit Serbia during her Balkan tour due to political and social tensions in the country, while the funeral of Ratko Mladic, convicted of war crimes and genocide, had prompted strong reactions in the European Union.
Several members of the European Parliament had also called on von der Leyen not to travel to Belgrade.
On the eve of parliamentary and general elections in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, von der Leyen plans to visit these two countries later, Podesta said.
This will be von der Leyen's sixth tour of the region, a visit that has now become a tradition ahead of the publication of the annual package of progress reports on EU candidate countries.
“Siç tha presidentja në samitin e qershorit, Bashkimi ynë nuk do të jetë i plotë pa Ballkanin Perëndimor. Gjatë bisedimeve me partnerët, ajo do të diskutojë për hapat e nevojshëm në rrugën e këtyre vendeve drejt Bashkimit Evropian, si dhe për procesin e integrimit gradual, të mbështetur nga Plani i Rritjes për Ballkanin Perëndimor”, tha zëdhënësja Podesta.