Albania is taking another important step toward full membership in the European Union.
The 9th Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the European Union is being held in Brussels, where the official closure of three additional negotiation chapters will be confirmed.
The chapters being closed are:
- Chapter 25 – Science and Research
- Chapter 26 – Education and Culture
- Chapter 30 – External Relations
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described July 14 as a “Super Tuesday” for EU enlargement, highlighting that, for the first time in more than two decades, four accession intergovernmental conferences are taking place on the same day.
In a video message published on the social media platform X, Kos praised the progress of candidate countries and noted that Albania is reaching another milestone on its European path by closing its first negotiation chapters.
“Today is a ‘Super Tuesday’ for EU enlargement. For the first time in more than two decades, we are holding four accession conferences on the same day. The four countries leading the process — Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro — are all taking important steps forward. Albania will close its first chapters, while Montenegro is approaching the final stage of formal negotiations after closing 18 out of 33 chapters. This momentum must now be transformed into concrete results on the ground,” Kos stated.
The development has been welcomed by the Albanian government as a clear political recognition from EU member states and the European Commission of Albania’s continued progress in reforms, institutional transformation, and the accession negotiation process.
According to the European Commission’s methodology, the closure of these chapters does not mean the process in these areas is permanently completed. Instead, it reflects the EU’s assessment that Albania has met the required standards at this stage of negotiations. The chapters will remain under monitoring until the country becomes a full member of the European Union.
If sufficient progress is not maintained, the chapters could be reopened under the EU’s negotiation framework.
Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Albanian delegation will meet with Commissioner Marta Kos and representatives of the EU presidency, followed by a joint press conference.
The Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels is being viewed by the Albanian government as another significant step toward achieving the strategic goal of full EU membership within this decade.
