Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen@respublicae.eu

Good to see all Western Balkans partners in Berlin, one week after my visit to the region.

We are here to deepen our economic integration.

Starting with energy.

Our €1 billion Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans will help us shape our common energy future.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1588110563896446976

🇷🇸 Serbia is well advanced on its EU path.

Progress must continue.

The EU wants to count on Serbia as a reliable European partner.

Aligning in defence of common principles and values.

Working together for security and prosperity.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1586072227874852866

We are providing Serbia with €165 million in immediate grant support.

And EU-funded projects like the 🇷🇸🇧🇬 gas interconnector are working for your energy future.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1586009095571574784

The new, EU-funded Ivan Tunnel will improve connections from Mostar to Sarajevo and, further north, to Budapest.

It will give a formidable boost to 🇪🇺🇧🇦 trade and exchanges.

And to the 🇧🇦 economy as a whole.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585977565189111813

The EU stands with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the energy crisis.
 
We have prepared an energy support package for our Western Balkan partners. 

For 🇧🇦 it means €70 million in short-term support.
 
And investments in more reliable sources of energy – like solar, wind or biomass.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585940999477809152

Works on the railway connection between Tirana and Durrës are in full swing.

Very glad to have visited this great EU-funded project with my friend @ediramaal

It will be a key segment to connect Albania to the European rail.

Bringing our countries and people closer.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585680659888193539

Good meeting with President @BajramBegajAL

Our latest enlargement report shows the progress made by 🇦🇱

Now the accession process is firmly on tracks.

With Russia’s war on Ukraine, the EU is more committed than ever to this process.

This is a common investment in our future.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585679224882569217

Albania is moving forward on its EU path.

This is your success.

The result of years of efforts by the Albanian people.

I welcome our foreign policy alignment.

You are showing it again in your stand for a rules-based order in your UN Security Council term.

This honours you.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585653964678234113

Here, at the University of Pristina, the EU has funded a new district heating system, enabling the switch from heavy fuel oil to cleaner energy.

A good move for the environment - and for the inhabitants of Pristina.

This is our investment plan for the Western Balkans at work.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585586964757094403

I know how important visa liberalisation is for Kosovo, @AlbinKurti

The @EU_Commission believes you have fulfilled all the benchmarks.

Discussions have re-started.

We will support in any way we can.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585573903564414978

Good to be in Pristina again, President @VjosaOsmaniPRKS

The people of Kosovo continue to demonstrate their commitment to EU values, with ambitious reforms and by aligning with our response to Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Your hard work is being recognised.
It has to continue.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585546427266211842

Good meeting with President @SPendarovski

North Macedonia is progressing on its EU path.

It is strengthening its democracy and the rule of law.

Developing a solid market economy.

The youth of North Macedonia is dreaming of Europe.

This dream should come true.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585352865673281536

Very good phone call with UK PM @RishiSunak

🇪🇺🇬🇧 are strategic partners.

Looking forward to working on crucial issues such as Russia’s war on Ukraine and climate change.

And on finding joint solutions under the Protocol on IE/NI that will provide stability and predictability.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585344198492188675

The Frontex agreement we are signing today is important.

Not just because it strengthens our cooperation on migration.

But because it is translated in the Macedonian language.

On equal footing with all 24 EU languages.

The Macedonian language is your language.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585330023552397312

🇲🇰 Договорот со Фронтекс што го потпишуваме денес е важен.

Не само поради тоа што ја зајакнува нашата соработка во полето на миграција.

Туку поради тоа што е преведен на македонски јазик.

На исто рамниште со сите 24 јазици на ЕУ.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585328978667401217

Glad to start my visit of the Western Balkans in North Macedonia dear @DKovachevski

The people of North Macedonia are committed to EU values.

The negotiations process is gaining momentum.

All political forces united can deliver, for the benefit of citizens.

Now is the time.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585318694296907777

Glad to meet 🇷🇴 PM @NicolaeCiuca

We discussed Romania’s efforts to join Schengen, which @EU_Commission fully supports

We also talked about the rollout of #NextGenEU investments

And I thanked 🇷🇴 for its solidarity with Moldova in the energy crisis

This is the European way.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1585253342540075008

Good meeting with @DenysShmyhal

🇪🇺 will support Ukraine’s relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

With our global partners we’ll stand shoulder to shoulder to meet the country’s urgent needs

We are working on an international coordination platform to go live by end of year

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1584858860665602048

We need fast rehabilitation to ensure that life can continue in Ukraine.

We have already started repairing destroyed schools with €100 million and supplying 200 schools buses.

We also provide shelter items ahead of the winter, to give a roof to those who lost everything.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1584853454635532289

We need all hands on deck for the reconstruction.

International institutions. Private sector. Civil society.

It’s time for the platform to start working.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/vonderleyen/status/1584815898564579329