European Commission chief assures Western Balkans of bloc’s enlargement progress

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a tour of the Western Balkan countries on Wednesday, assuring them that the enlargement of the trade bloc remained one of its priorities.

The Western Balkans countries - Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia - are at different stages in their applications for EU membership. The countries have been frustrated by the slow pace of the process, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022 has propelled European leaders to push the six to join the bloc.

Von der Leyen started a regional tour with a visit to Tirana, which last week formally opened the first accession negotiations to transition from being a candidate to EU member. She will next head to Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Von der Leyen hailed Tirana's "vision and patience and this is paying off....