The European Union is holding its fifth intergovernmental conference with Albania today, May 22, 2025, marking another important step in the country’s path toward full EU membership.
The focus of this round is the opening of negotiations for Cluster 3: “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth.” This chapter is crucial, as it includes areas related to digital transformation, media, economic and monetary policy, science and research, education, and culture.
The Albanian delegation is led by Igli Hasani, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
This meeting follows the fourth intergovernmental conference, which was held on April 14 in Luxembourg, where negotiations were opened for the Internal Market chapter.
In the past eight months, Albania has successfully opened negotiations across 27 policy areas, demonstrating accelerated progress in its accession journey.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has emphasized that EU membership is a historic opportunity, adding that “it will not remain on the table forever unless we meet the required reforms.”
Albania aims to open all remaining chapters within this year and complete negotiations by 2027, targeting full EU membership by 2030.
