Tensions have risen outside Albania’s government headquarters as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds talks with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana.

A large number of protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister’s Office to demonstrate against the visit, while heavily reinforced police units were deployed around the building and along the main boulevard leading to the government headquarters.

Police established security cordons to prevent protesters from approaching the building. The situation became tense as some demonstrators attempted to cross the barriers, leading to clashes with police officers deployed in the area.

Security measures have been significantly increased along “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard, with officers controlling access to the area surrounding the Prime Minister’s Office while von der Leyen and Rama hold their meeting inside.

Von der Leyen arrived in Tirana as the first stop of a four-country tour of the Western Balkans. European integration is expected to be at the center of her visit, with the European Commission president also scheduled to meet Albanian President Bajram Begaj.

The visit comes at a significant moment for Albania’s EU membership ambitions and the broader enlargement process. Von der Leyen is also expected to promote a proposed roadmap aimed at helping Albania, Montenegro, Moldova and Ukraine advance toward EU membership.

The proposed framework includes priority reforms, indicative timelines and objectives for advancing negotiations, alongside commitments from EU member states to support the enlargement process.

The European Union is also considering a model of gradual integration for candidate countries. Attention is expected to turn to October 6, when a review of the EU’s pre-accession policy is due to be presented, and October 15-16, when EU leaders are expected to discuss enlargement and internal reforms.

The developments in Tirana come as Albania seeks to maintain momentum in its EU accession process, while the European Union continues to debate how future enlargement should be structured and implemented.