EU begins its first chapter of membership negotiations with Albania

October 15, 2024
EU Flag & Albania Flag
  • The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said Albania should become part of the bloc by 2030.

The first phase of the EU's membership negotiations with Albania began today in Luxembourg.

In the Western Balkan nation's quest to join the bloc, the Accession Conference with Albania, which was held at the ministerial level, is in its second meeting.

On behalf of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led the EU mission, while Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, led the Albanian delegation.

Albania Should Join EU by 2030, Its PM Says

According to Balkan Insight, the Albanian prime minister stated that the Western Balkans are just as important to the European Union as the EU is to the Western Balkans.

By the end of 2030, Rama stated, his nation need to join the group.
We are now on the way up with clear ideas, with a strong will, and there is no doubt that we will achieve what should be achieved, which means that Albania should join the EU by 2030.
--Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama

Albania Opens 5 Negotiating Chapters as Part of Cluster 1

The first phase of Albania's membership admission discussions has commenced with the start of the first round of talks with the European Union.

Clusters of negotiating chapters are also one of the primary milestones in the EU accession process for nations seeking to join the bloc.

There are 22 negotiating chapters, divided into six clusters, among them:

  1. Fundamentals
  2. Internal market
  3. Competitiveness and inclusive growth
  4. Green agenda and sustainable connectivity
  5. Resources, agriculture and cohesion
  6. External relations
Negotiations on fundamentals that have already begun with Albania are the first ones to open and the last to close.

Fundamentals consists of the following chapters:

  • Chapter 5– Public Procurement
  • Chapter 18– Statistics
  • Chapter 23– Judiciary and Fundamental Rights
  • Chapter 24– Justice, Freedom and Security
  • Chapter 32– Financial Control

Albania’s Journey on EU Membership Continues

Albania does not belong to the Schengen Zone or the European Union. In 2009, the nation formally applied to join the European Union.

In 2014, the Western Balkan nation became a contender. The rule of law and respect for human and minority rights are among the areas where the nation still needs to improve, according to the Commission's most recent progress report.

The accession negotiations between Albania and North Macedonia began in 2022. In July 2022, the inaugural Intergovernmental Conference took place in Brussels.

Nevertheless, the EU has determined that Albania should pursue EU membership on its own.