Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini will pay an official visit to Albania on Friday, for discussions with Albanian leaders on the latter's bid for European Union (EU) membership, according to Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA).
In Albania, Mogherini is expected to hold talks with her Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati before meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta and President Bujar Nishani.
Earlier this month, ATA, Albania's official news agency, reported that Mogherini will unveil the intention of the Italian presidency to support Albania in its efforts toward joining the European Union (EU).
Albania was granted the candidate status of the EU at the end of last month.
Mogherini will also visit Sarajevo, Prishtina, Skopje, Belgrade and Podgorica in her first western Balkan tour since Italy assumed the six-month presidency of the EU.
Italy took over the EU-rotating presidency on July 1 and will chair it in the second half of 2014. During the tour, Mogherini aims to convey a clear message on the importance of the European integration.
"European Union enlargement in the Balkan region constitutes one of the top priorities of the Italian EU presidency program," ATA quoted official sources from Rome as saying.