Commissioner Várhelyi travels to North Macedonia and Albania for his first mission to the Western Balkans

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi will travel to North Macedonia and to Albania on 15-16 January to stress the Commission’s commitment to the EU accession perspective of the two countries. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Várhelyi said: “By travelling on my first visit as a Commissioner to the Western Balkans, to North Macedonia and Albania, I want to send a strong signal that for the Commission and for me personally the European Union perspective for this region is a priority. We stand by our proposal to open accession talks with both countries and we are working to make it happen very soon. In Albania I will also visit the city of Durrës, which was heavily hit by the earthquake last November. To support the reconstruction of the country, we will organise a donors’ conference gathering the international community in Brussels on 17 February. We are already in touch with donors and partners to ensure the conference is a success.” In Skopje, North Macedonia, on 15 January, the Commissioner will meet with President Pendarovski, President of the Parliament Xhaferi, the new Prime Minister Spasovski, members of the government as well as the leaders of the two main political parties Mr Zaev (SDSM) and Mr Mickoski (VMRO-DPMNE). Commissioner Várhelyi will have a press point with the Prime Minister in the afternoon. In Tirana, Albania, on 16 January, the Commissioner will meet with President Meta, President of the Parliament Ruci, Prime Minister Rama, and representatives of the main opposition parlties. Commissioner Várhelyi will have a press conference with the Prime Minister and afterwards they will travel together to Durrës, the town mostly affected by the November’s earthquake. Videos and photos of the visit will be available on EbS.