EU-BP Investment Forum/ Rama: The Western Balkans are Europe's new horizon

2025-10-13 12:12:00, Politikë CNA

Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered the opening speech at the EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum in Tirana. At the beginning of his speech, Rama welcomed the participants and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

The head of government described the Western Balkans as the new horizon of Europe, in whose countries he said European projects are being implemented faster than anywhere else. Rama further added that the Western Balkans could soon become a long-term space for European investments and businesses.

"Dear friends, neighbors, I want to wish you a very warm welcome to Tirana. Join me in welcoming the President of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen. Thank you dear Ursula for returning to the Western Balkans again. With your permission, I would also like to thank your team for the work to make this a reality.

At a certain point, the expectation for the EU became depressing. However, we did not stop working until the moment found us ready. We were ready to start the negotiation process together with the EC. The Western Balkans are now the new horizon of Europe. A horizon where Europe can discover its resourcefulness and love of life. The more we look at the world around us, the more we feel the need for Europe. And right in the heart of this peninsula lies a region with growth twice as fast as the European average and an entrepreneurial energy that is not afraid of tomorrow. The new horizon for me means a place where European investments find a new pace of speed. A place where projects can go from idea to realization faster than anywhere else.

The Western Balkans can become Europe's regulatory buffer. A space to build and test the future. Let us imagine a common area of ??new horizons. Let us make it a long-term living space for businesses to come. We are seeking to assist the EU in its efforts to build the European table from scratch. The next chapter of Europe's resilience will not be written only in Brussels, but also in Tirana, Podgorica, Belgrade, Skopje and Pristina. We seek the vision that once united iron and steel to create peace", Rama said, among other things. /CNA