Brussels, 14/02/2006 (Agence Europe) - Commission President José Manuel Barroso accompanied by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn begin a visit to the Western Balkans on 15 February, Barroso's first official visit to the region. On 15th - 16th February they will be in Zagreb, Croatia and in Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. On 17th February they will be in Pristina, Kosovo and Skopje, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Their tour will end on 18th February in Tirana, Albania and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Barroso and Rehn will encourage the leaders of the countries to reinforce their reform efforts, in order to make faster progress along the road towards European integration. This visit follows on from new measures planned by the European Commission in the countries to help them to improve their democracies and reform their economies. These measures will be discussed during the Gymnich type meeting on 10-11 March in Salzburg.