Germany is pushing for stricter standards in the European Union enlargement process, signaling that Albania will remain under close scrutiny until it receives a positive Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR) from the European Commission.
According to the German Council on Foreign Relations, Albania’s progress toward EU membership will continue to face a critical evaluation threshold until the country meets key reform requirements.
Tougher Approach on Corruption Cases
Berlin is reportedly taking a stricter stance on recent high-profile corruption cases in Tirana than many other EU member states.
German officials believe that ministers suspected of corruption should not only be dismissed from government positions but also face proper investigations by special prosecutors.
This approach reflects Germany’s broader insistence that rule of law and anti-corruption measures remain central to Albania’s EU accession path.
IBAR Seen as Key Milestone
Analysts note that once Albania secures a positive IBAR assessment, it could formally begin closing chapters in its EU accession negotiations.
At that stage, Albania could potentially advance together with Montenegro and Iceland as part of a broader EU enlargement package. The package could also include a special “pre-membership” status for Ukraine and Moldova, according to reports cited in European media.
Germany Also Keeps Door Open for Serbia
The government of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also attempted to keep the EU accession perspective open for Serbia, which Berlin sees as a key factor for the successful integration of the Western Balkans.
German center-right politicians argue that the EU integration of the entire region is closely linked to the accession of its largest country.
However, Serbia’s progress remains complicated. The ruling party of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is part of the same European political family as Germany’s CDU/CSU, though it is currently undergoing internal scrutiny due to concerns over democratic backsliding.
Serbia’s failure to fulfill previous EU commitments on the rule of law, combined with the government’s harsh response to student protesters and its continued ties with Russia, has made any significant progress in accession talks politically difficult for the time being.
