The briefing room of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has announced the agenda of her visit to Tirana, set to take place on September 14^th.

Initially, Merkel has planned a meeting with the country’s prime minister, Edi Rama, with whom she’ll hold discussions regarding our bilateral relations, economic policies as well as Albanian’s integration into the EU.

By midday, the Chancellor will have met with the government leaders of the 6 Balkan countries, with whom she will sit over a business lunch, that will be focused on issues revolving around our regional cooperation. Afterwards, her itinerary in Albania will continue with a press conference.

Before her return to Berlin, Merkel will also conduct separate meetings with the prime ministers of Kosovo, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Merkel’s visit to Tirana will take place around 2 weeks before the German elections. She is expected to step down from political life and the candidate set to replace her at the CDU/CSU is Armin Laschet.

Polls show a tight race between CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats.

Back in 2014, Merkel pushed for what came to be known as the ‘Berlin Process’ – a platform that urges dialogue and cooperation between countries of the Western Balkans before their integration into the EU.

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