TIRANA, November 21 – Tirana hosted the Ministerial held under the Western Balkans Leaders’ Summit on the EU Growth Plan “Our Road to the EU”. The meeting brought together ministers and senior representatives from the region and the European Union.

Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka opened the Ministerial. She appeared with senior European Commission officials Gert-Jan Koopman and Emmanuel Giauffret.

Meanwhile, ministers responsible for European integration, trade and economic cooperation joined the talks. Senior representatives from the European Commission, regional organisations and development partners also attended, including the EIB, the EBRD and the World Bank.

The meeting focused on progress in initiatives that affected citizens and businesses. Participants highlighted the reduced roaming tariff regime for Western Balkan countries, which aimed to follow the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” model.

Discussions moved to other strategic areas. Delegates examined economic integration and efforts to link regional economies to the EU’s industrial value chains. They also addressed the development of an AI ecosystem in the region. In addition, they reviewed steps toward applying SEPA to lower the cost and time of bank transfers.

Transport and trade followed. Delegates discussed plans to ease cross-border movement, modernise border points and expand the Green Lanes within the region and with neighbouring EU member states. Reform agendas in the economy and the rule of law also remained central as key elements of the Growth Plan. At the same time, participants assessed the region’s further integration into the EU Single Market and the strengthening of the Western Balkans Regional Common Market.

The Ministerial reconfirmed the commitment of all sides to accelerate reforms and regional cooperation as essential steps toward the Western Balkans’ EU membership path.

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