European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is departing on Tuesday for a visit to the Western Balkan countries and on this occasion she reiterated that the future of the region is European.

“Today I begin my visit to our six Western Balkan partners ahead of our Summit next week. My message is clear: we share a common, European future. We are preparing it right now. By overcoming COVID, together. By investing strategically. By giving our youth opportunities,” the EC President tweeted prior to the visit.

It was confirmed last week that Von der Leyen would start the tour by visiting Albania on Tuesday, followed by North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia, while the visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina is planned for Thursday.

In her State of the Union address earlier this month in Strasbourg, she said she would convey a clear message about the EU's commitment to the accession process during this visit.

“We owe it to all those young people who believe in a European future,” she said.

Reportedly, Von der Leyen will attend the opening of the Svilaj bridge on the Sava river, which connects Bosnia and Croatia on Corridor 5C.