Albania is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the European Union (EU). It applied for EU membership on 28 April 2009, and has since June 2014 been an official candidate for accession. The Council of the European Union decided in March 2020 to open accession negotiations with Albania.[1]
However, the country did not start accession negotiations because its candidacy was linked to that of North Macedonia, which was vetoed by Bulgaria.[2] On 24 June 2022, Bulgaria's parliament approved lifting the country's veto on opening EU accession talks with North Macedonia. On 16 July 2022, the Assembly of North Macedonia also approved the revised French proposal, allowing accession negotiations to begin.[3] The start of negotiations was officially launched on 19 July 2022.[4] As of October 2024[update], Albania aims to be ready for accession by 2030, a timeline acknowledged by Prime Minister Edi Rama as "very ambitious."[5]
Officially recognised by the EU as a "potential candidate country" in 2000, Albania started negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2003. This was successfully agreed and signed on 12 June 2006, thus completing the first major step toward Albania's full membership in the EU.
Albania applied for European Union membership on 28 April 2009. After Albania's application for EU membership, the Council of the European Union asked the European Commission on 16 November 2009 to prepare an assessment on the readiness of Albania to start accession negotiations.[6] On 16 December 2009, the European Commission submitted the Questionnaire on accession preparation to the Albanian government. Albania returned answers to the Commission on 14 April 2010.[7] On 5 December 2013, an MEP meeting recommended to the council to grant Albania candidate status.[8] On 23 June 2014, under the Greek EU Presidency, the Council of the European Union agreed to grant Albania candidate status, which was endorsed by the European Council a few days later. Following in the steps of countries joining the EU in 2004, Albania has been extensively engaged with EU institutions, and joined NATO as a full member in 2009.
The European Commission recommended that the EU open membership talks with Albania in its November 2016 assessment.[9] In June 2018 the European Council agreed on a pathway to starting accession talks with Albania by the end of 2019.[10][11]
Albania's EU accession is bundled with North Macedonia's EU accession. Albania is given certain pre-conditions for starting the accession negotiations, such as passing reforms in the justice system, a new electoral law, opening trials for corrupt judges and respect for the human rights of its Greek minority.[12][13]
In May 2019, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn reiterated this recommendation.[14] However, in June the EU General Affairs Council decided to postpone their decision on opening negotiations to October, due to objections from a number of countries including the Netherlands and France.[15] The decision was vetoed again in October.[16] On 25 March 2020, the Council of the European Union decided to open accession negotiations, which was endorsed by the European Council the following day.[17][18]
On 25 September 2024, the EU announced the decoupling of Albania from North Macedonia on the EU accession path, due to the disputes between North Macedonia and Bulgaria around the Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia, which had delayed further talks.[21] Following the decision on decoupling of their processes, the EU opened negotiations on the first chapters with Albania separately on 15 October 2024.[21]
On 19 November 2024, Albania and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership.[22]
Timeline
Date
Event
1992
A Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the EU and Albania was signed, and Albania became eligible for funding under the EU Phare programme.
1997
The EU Council of Ministers established political and economic conditionality for the development of bilateral relations between Albania and the EU.
1999
The EU proposed the new Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) for five countries of Southeastern Europe, including Albania. Starting from 1999 Albania benefited from Autonomous Trade Preferences with the EU.
2000
Duty-free access to EU market was granted for products from Albania.[23]
June 2000
The European Council stated that all the SAP countries are "potential candidates" for EU membership.
November 2000
At the Zagreb Summit, the SAP was officially endorsed by the EU and the Western Balkan countries (including Albania).
2001
The first year of the new CARDS programme specifically designed for the SAP countries.
June 2001
The Commission recommended the undertaking of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Albania. The Göteborg European Council invited the commission to present draft negotiating directives for the negotiation of a SAA.
31 January 2003
The directives for the negotiation of a SAA with Albania were adopted. Commission President Prodi officially launches the negotiations for a SAA between the EU and Albania.
June 2003
At the Thessaloniki Summit, the SAP was confirmed as the EU policy for the Western Balkans and the EU perspective for these countries was confirmed (countries participating in the SAP started to be eligible for EU accession and would join the EU once they would become ready).
December 2005
The council made the decision on the principles of a revised European Partnership for Albania.
12 June 2006
The SAA was signed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg.[23]
9 November 2006
The European Commission decided to start visa facilitation negotiations with Albania.
13 April 2007
The visa facilitation agreement was signed in Zagreb. The signing EUCommissionerFranco Frattini was quoted saying that this is the first step toward a full abolishment of the visa requirements and the free movement of Albanian citizens in the EU.
1 January 2008
The visa facilitation agreement entered into force.
The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) entered into force.
28 April 2009
Albania formally applied for membership in the European Union.[23]
16 November 2009
The Council of the EU asked the European Commission to prepare an assessment on Albania's readiness to start accession negotiations. The Commission submitted the questionnaire on accession preparation to the Albanian government.[6]
14 April 2010
Albania submitted answers to the European Commission's questionnaire,[7] but candidacy status was not granted by the EU in December 2010 due to a long-lasting political row in the country.[24]
27 May 2010
The European Commission proposed visa free travel for Albania. The adopted proposal enabled citizens of Albania to travel to Schengen countries without needing a short term visa.[25]
Visa-free access for Albanians to the Schengen area entered into force.
10 October 2012
The European Commission recommended that Albania be granted EU candidate status, subject to the completion of key measures in certain areas.
August 2012
The Albanian Parliament rejected a proposal to abolish immunity for parliament members, ministers and people in some other official positions. The EU required this to be abolished along with 11 other main issues, so candidate status was further delayed.[27] However, in September 2012 a constitutional amendment was unanimously passed which limited the immunity of parliamentarians.[28]
October 2012
The European Commission evaluated the progress of Albania to comply with 12 key conditions to achieve official candidate status and start accession negotiations. The report concluded that if Albania managed to hold a fair and democratic parliamentary election in June 2013, and also implemented the remaining changes to comply with the eight key priorities still not fully met, then the Council of the European Union would recommended granting Albania official candidate status.[29][30]
23 June 2013
Albania held a general election, generally regarded as free and fair.[31]
16 October 2013
The European Commission released its annual reports on prospective member states which concluded that the Albanian election was held in an "orderly manner" and that progress had been made in meeting other conditions; as such it recommended granting Albania candidate status.[32]
5 December 2013
In an MEP meeting it was recommended that "...the Council should acknowledge the progress made by Albania by granting it candidate status without undue delay."[8] However, several states, including Denmark and the Netherlands, remained opposed to granting Albania candidate status until it demonstrated that its recent progress could be sustained.[33] Consequently, the Council of the European Union, at its meeting in December 2013, agreed to postpone the decision on candidate status until June 2014.[34]
24 June 2014
Under the Greek EU Presidency, the Council of the European Union agreed to grant Albania candidate status,[35][36] which was endorsed by the European Council a few days later.[37] This coincided with the 10th anniversary of the "Agenda 2014",[38] proposed by the Greek Government in 2004, as part of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki, for boosting the integration of all the Western Balkan states into the European Union.[39]
March 2015
At the fifth "High Level Dialogue meeting" between Albania and the EU, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement (Johannes Hahn) notified Albania that the setting of a start date for accession negotiations to begin still required the following two conditions to be met: 1) The government need to reopen political dialogue with the parliamentary opposition, 2) Albania must deliver quality reforms for all 5 earlier identified key areas not yet complied with (public administration, rule of law, corruption, organised crime, fundamental rights[40]).[41] This official stance, was fully supported by the European Parliament through its pass of a Resolution comment in April 2015,[42] which agreed with all conclusions drawn by the commission's latest 2014 Progress Report on Albania.[43] The Albanian Prime Minister outlined the next step of his government would be to submit a detailed progress report on the implementation of the 5 key reforms to the Commission in Autumn 2015, and then he expected the accession negotiations should start shortly afterwards - before the end of 2015.[41]
22 July 2016
The Albanian parliament approved constitutional amendments on justice reforms.
9 November 2016
The Commission recommended the launch of negotiations.[44]
26 November 2016
Germany announced that it would veto the opening accession talks until 2018.[45]
The European Parliament warned the government leaders that the parliamentary elections in June must be "free and fair" before negotiations could begin to admit the country into the Union. The MEPs also expressed concern about the country's "selective justice, corruption, the overall length of judicial proceedings and political interference in investigations and court cases" but the EU Press Release expressed some optimism: "It is important for Albania to maintain today's reform momentum and we must be ready to support it as much as possible in this process".[46]
The European Commissioner Johannes Hahn recommended that the EU open membership talks with Albania.[14] On 1 June 2019, the Council set out the path to opening accession negotiations, with talks thought to begin shortly thereafter.
September 2019
Germany's Bundestag set as its preconditions for Albania's EU accession negotiations the reforms in the justice system, continue the fight against drug trafficking, a new electoral law, creation of SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Structure), functioning of the Constitutional Court & the Supreme court, appoint the new Prosecutor General, trials for the corrupt judges, and also drop some ambitions of Greater Albania.[48]
24 March 2020
EU ministers reached a political agreement on opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.[49]
19 July 2022
The first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on accession negotiations was held between the EU and Albania. This marked the formal start of the accession talks. Additionally, the European Commission started the screening process.[50]
25 September 2024
EU decides to decouple Albania from North Macedonia on the EU accession path and announces that accession chapters for Albania will open on 15 October 2024.
15 October 2024
Albania opens negotiations on the "Cluster 1 - Fundamentals" chapters at the intergovernmental conference on 15 October.[51]
16 December 2024
Albania opens Negotiations on Cluster 6 - External relations, including the following negotiating chapters:
Chapter 30 – External relations
Chapter 31 – Foreign, security and defence policy"[52]
^Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro (SiM). Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.[57]
^Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of SiM, with a modified mandate from July 2006.
^Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but is still claimed by Serbia as part of its territory. The European Union remains divided, with five EU member states not recognizing its independence. The EU launched a Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism for Kosovo] on 6 November 2002 with the aim of aligning its policy with EU standards. On 10 October 2012 the European Commission found that there were no legal obstacles to Kosovo signing a SAA with the EU, as independence is not required for such an agreement.[61]
^ abcNo Interim Agreement associated with Kosovo's SAA was concluded.[65]
^Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently.[62][66][67]
Visa liberalisation process
On 1 January 2008 the visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Albania and the EU entered into force.[69]
Albania received a road map from the EU for further visa liberalisation with Schengen countries in June 2008.[69]
Albania started issuing biometric passports on 24 May 2009, which were designed to comply with EU guidelines.[70][71] On 8 November 2010 the Council of the European Union approved visa-free travel to the EU for citizens of Albania.[26] The decision entered into force on 15 December 2010.[72]
EU financial aid
In 2011, the EU paid €6 million to construct or refurbish border crossing points and border police stations to help Albania fight organised crime and illegal trafficking.[73]
Until 2020, Albania had been receiving €1.2bn of developmental aid from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries.
In 2024, the EU welcomed political agreement on the €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, overall amount of the Facility for the period 2024-2027 is €6 billion.[74] To finance the loan support, the European Union will raise €4 billion on the financial market until the end of 2027. The €2 billion of non-repayable support will be financed through additional resources from the Mid-Term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).[75]Albania is expected to receive €922 million until 2027.[76]
Negotiation progress
The screening process has been completed and 7 chapters have been opened thus far.
1 chapter at an early stage 8 chapters with some level of preparation 17 chapters with moderate preparation 7 chapters with good level of preparation 2 chapters with nothing to adopt
7 chapters open
1. Free Movement of Goods
Moderately prepared†
Chapter not yet opened
2. Freedom of Movement For Workers
Some level of preparation
Chapter not yet opened
3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments
Moderately prepared
Chapter not yet opened
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights
Moderately prepared
Chapter open
24. Justice, Freedom & Security
Moderately prepared
Chapter open
25. Science & Research
Some level of preparation
Chapter not yet opened
26. Education & Culture
Moderately prepared
Chapter not yet opened
27. Environment & Climate Change
Some level of preparation
Chapter not yet opened
28. Consumer & Health Protection
Early stage
Chapter not yet opened
29. Customs Union
Moderately prepared
Chapter not yet opened
30. External Relations
Good level of preparation
Chapter open
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy
Good level of preparation
Chapter open
32. Financial Control
Moderately prepared
Chapter open
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions
Some level of preparation
Chapter not yet opened
34. Institutions
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
35. Other Issues
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".
†† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation".
totally incompatible early stage considerable efforts needed some level of preparation further efforts needed moderately prepared no major difficulties expected good level of preparation well prepared / well advanced
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared†
Moderately prepared†
Moderately prepared†
Moderately prepared†
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
24. Justice, Freedom & Security
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Early stage
25. Science & Research
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
26. Education & Culture
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
27. Environment & Climate Change
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Early stage
28. Consumer & Health Protection
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
Early stage
29. Customs Union
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
30. External Relations
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
Good level of preparation
32. Financial Control
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
Moderately prepared
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
Some level of preparation
34. Institutions
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
35. Other Issues
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Nothing to adopt
Legend:
† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".
†† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation".
totally incompatible early stage considerable efforts needed some level of preparation further efforts needed moderately prepared no major difficulties expected good level of preparation well prepared / well advanced