Albania has taken another step closer to the European Union, officially opening negotiations today for Cluster 4: Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity.
At a joint press conference in Brussels, Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, addressed the progress of Albania’s EU integration path.
Kos praised Albania’s pace in the negotiation process, describing it as “impressive,” and encouraged Rama to maintain the momentum:
“Albania’s speed is impressive. I have been in office for less than a year, and this is already the fourth negotiating cluster we are opening with Albania during my mandate. That brings us to five clusters open and 28 chapters launched. Only one cluster remains, and I have no doubt we will do this very soon. I know that the Danish presidency and all member states are fully committed to making progress as soon as all criteria are met. Albania is showing that positive change is possible, and the EU rewards such change. Continue with this rhythm.”
She underlined the importance of broad national consensus by involving Parliament, civil society, and the private sector—particularly in critical areas such as justice reform, judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, property rights, minority rights, and media freedom.
Kos emphasized that once all chapters are opened, the EU’s ambition is to start closing them quickly, aligning with Albania’s target of completing the process by 2027.
The newly opened Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity cluster will support Albania’s economic growth while safeguarding its rich natural resources, improving wastewater management, reducing air pollution, and boosting renewable energy use. It also aims to strengthen transport links and integrate Albania more closely with European systems.
Citing public opinion data, Kos highlighted that 91% of Albanians support EU membership, 92% trust the EU, and 82% have a positive image of the EU—among the highest figures across candidate countries.
“The future of Albania is in the EU, and there is no doubt about this. Today we are one step closer to achieving this objective,” Kos concluded.
