The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is in Tirana for an official visit as part of a 4-day tour in the Balkans.

At the joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu asked Von der Leyen if the decision to open negotiations with Albania was more political, considering the opening of the camp in Gjadër.

The Chief Commissioner categorically denied such a thing, while emphasizing that the process of opening negotiations is based on the merits of each country and Albania, as she said, fully deserved it.

“The short answer to this question is clearly no. The process to open negotiations with the EU is clear and detailed. The opening of negotiations is based on the merits of each country. Next week we will release the report on the expansion situation, the explanation will be made for the countries and you will see that the result for Albania is excellent”, said Von der Leyen.