This week, at the invitation of Ambassador Mimoza Halimi, a meeting was held to discuss Albania’s European aspirations and the significant progress the country has made toward EU membership. Key milestones were recalled: the 2009 membership application, candidate status in 2014, and the launch of accession negotiations in 2022.
Since then, Albania has been steadily opening negotiation clusters, including fundamentals, external relations, the internal market, competitiveness and inclusive growth, and the green agenda. Talks are ongoing to open the final cluster on agriculture, resources, and cohesion, which would bring the country closer to completing the negotiation process.
During the discussion, it was emphasized that Albania still faces important tasks: maintaining strong judicial vetting standards, strengthening anti-corruption efforts, improving media conditions, and ensuring stable implementation of EU law. Albania aims to conclude negotiations by 2027, while EU enlargement in the Western Balkans remains key to the stability and security of the entire continent. The meeting hosted by Ambassador Halimi reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to continued reforms and progress toward the EU.
