Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs.  FROM TIRANA TO OTTAWA, WITH LOVE  In 2003, European leaders in Thessaloniki promised that "the future of the Balkans is within the European Union". Fast-forward more than two decades, and six annual visits of President von der Leyen to the region. Against the backdrop of anti-government protests that have been ongoing for four months in Tirana, the Commission chief told Prime Minister Edi Rama that Albania is "among the frontrunners" and "the goal is on the horizon". The goal obviously being full EU membership, as of 2030 or so. The timing is tight: only three negotiation chapters have been closed so far, with 30 more to go by the end of next year. Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia also got a…