The meeting between Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took place under heavy security at the Prime Minister’s Office, while outside police kept the area blocked even after protesters dispersed into groups.
The meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office amid heightened measures
Inside the Prime Minister’s Office building, Rama and von der Leyen continued their discussions at a time when the situation outside the building was dominated by the increased presence of police forces.
The presence of the senior European official coincided with a protest taking place near the Prime Minister’s Office, bringing another episode of strong public-space management by the authorities.
Protesters split into groups
Outside the building, protesters dispersed into groups, while movement in the area remained under police surveillance.
No further details have been reported on developments after the dispersal, but the security perimeter was not lifted immediately.
Police kept the perimeter blocked
According to the official version reported from the scene, the situation near the Prime Minister’s Office remained under the control of law enforcement forces, which continued to monitor and keep the area sealed off.
Even after the protesters left, the police presence remained high, indicating that the authorities chose not to immediately ease control over the perimeter.
Protest during von der Leyen’s visit
The protest took place at the same time that Ursula von der Leyen was at the Prime Minister’s Office for the meeting with Edi Rama.
This coincided with a strict security regime in central Tirana, where the authorities’ focus remained on isolating the area around the government building.
Until the end of these developments, the area near the Prime Minister’s Office continued to be kept under heightened police control.
The meeting between Rama and von der Leyen took place in parallel with this situation on the ground, where the main emphasis fell on managing the protest and restricting the perimeter.