TIRANA - (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said here Thursday that the European Union will provide 80 million euros (79.7 million US dollars) in grants to Albania to tackle the energy crisis .

According to the Chairperson of the Commission, this energy support package will be part of the €500 million support package that the European Union will provide to the Western Balkan countries to help overcome the energy crisis and also as investments in energy communications, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

During a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Commission Chair emphasized that the immediate payment of the package will support Albanian families and small businesses at this difficult time and will also help the country to address the impact of high energy prices.

Albania is von der Leyen's second stop on her Western Balkans tour, following her visit to North Macedonia on Wednesday. She is also scheduled to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro.