Full Breakdown
EU Enlargement Tour Spotlights Balkan Candidates' Progress
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Core Event: Von der Leyen’s Balkan Visits Emphasize Accession Momentum
On October 1 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Tirana for a joint news conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. The visit was part of a three-day tour that began on September 30 and continued to October 2 in Podgorica, where von der Leyen met Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic and Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. In both capitals she highlighted the candidates’ recent reforms and reiterated the EU’s commitment to a merit-based enlargement process.
Background & Context: Accession Process for Albania and Montenegro
Albania has opened the final negotiating clusters and, in July, closed its first three chapters, including external relations. Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and provisionally closed 16, positioning it as the most advanced candidate in the Western Balkans. Both governments have pledged to continue reforms required to close remaining chapters before the end of 2026.
Data & Statistics: Reform Milestones and Funding
- Albania has completed more than 80 % of reform steps under the EU Growth Plan, according to von der Leyen.
- The country has already received €213 million in EU funding, with additional payments expected in the coming weeks.
- Montenegro’s accession negotiations cover 33 chapters, of which 16 are provisionally closed.
Official Statements & Responses
Von der Leyen described Albania as a “front-runner” whose progress is “in sight,” noting its 100 % alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy and stressing that the reforms must be fully implemented to benefit the Albanian people. She added that accession will remain merit-based but not slow. Prime Minister Rama affirmed Albania’s “ironclad will” to meet remaining requirements and highlighted recent successes against organized crime and corruption.
Regarding Montenegro, von der Leyen said the country’s opening of all chapters and provisional closure of 16 demonstrates “significant advancement,” and she reiterated the EU’s goal of seeing the Western Balkans become full members. She also announced that the Commission will present its pre-enlargement policy reviews next week and is preparing an accession treaty and a new enlargement package that may include safeguards drawn from previous treaties.
What’s Next: Upcoming Reviews and Treaty Preparations
The Commission’s pre-enlargement policy reviews, slated for release in the week following the tour, will assess institutional, policy, and budgetary adjustments needed for future members. Simultaneously, EU officials are drafting an accession treaty for Montenegro and continuing work on the enlargement package, with further details to be discussed in upcoming Commission meetings. Both Albania and Montenegro aim to close remaining chapters and finalize accession negotiations by the end of 2026.