The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today highlighted Albania's "extraordinarily rapid" progress on its European path and therefore announced the disbursement of 100 million euros from the Growth Plan.
"You have indeed made strong progress on key reforms. Thanks to this, I am pleased to announce the disbursement of 100 million euros. Now it is about implementation and I know that you are on the right track, this is the path for Albania to have access to all funds under the Growth Plan, which is close to one billion," she said at a press conference after meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama.
She said that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans provides access to the single market and brings new EU investments, in exchange for key reforms.
She also announced that roaming between Albania and the EU will be abolished next year, saying it will be good for business, tourism and bringing people closer together.
Commenting on SEPA, she said that since last week, money transfers between Albania and the EU have been safer and cheaper, which she highlighted as a major advantage for citizens and companies.
"The message is very clear - Albania is on the right path towards the EU. I want to emphasize that in the last three or four years there has been a surprising and extraordinary increase in the speed of progress," she added, announcing the opening of a cluster with Albania this fall.
"The geopolitical moment is now. Russian aggression against Ukraine has reshaped our continent, every European country must choose its place and Albania has clearly made its choice," she added.