Brussels: At the ninth Accession Conference between the European Union (EU) and Albania, scheduled for Tuesday in Brussels, Albania is set to close Chapters 25, 26, and 30, marking a significant milestone in its EU accession journey. This development follows the opening of the first negotiation chapters with the EU on October 15, 2024, and signifies the completion of the first three chapters in Albania's EU membership bid.
According to Anadolu Agency, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating that closing these chapters is "another important milestone in Albania's path toward EU membership." He highlighted the accelerated process of integrating EU legislation into national law, aided by artificial intelligence, which has allowed Albania to complete much of the necessary work in a short timeframe.
Rama further noted that EU membership is not merely about meeting formal conditions, but involves the incorporation of approximately 4,000 legislative and regulatory acts into Albania's legal framework and ensuring their effective implementation. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described the Accession Conference as "a milestone for Albania, marking the beginning of the closure of negotiating chapters."
In a related development, Albania is set to host the next NATO Summit in its capital, Tirana, which is being seen as a significant achievement for the country and its leadership. Following NATO's 36th Summit held in Ankara, analysts believe that the 37th NATO Summit could further bolster Albania's strategic position.
Albanian security policy expert Juxhina Sotiri Gjoni noted that the recent summit in Ankara marked the operational implementation of decisions made at previous summits in Vilnius and The Hague. Gjoni emphasized Trkiye's role as a key actor and geopolitical anchor in the region, highlighting its leadership in the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe.
Gjoni stated that hosting the NATO Summit in Tirana would be a pivotal moment in Albania's geopolitical history, transforming it from a consumer of security to a decision-maker and provider of stability in the Western Balkans. The summit, she noted, would represent formal recognition by allies that Albania's infrastructure meets modern defense requirements.
Gjoni also referenced the "Joint Declaration on Defense Cooperation" signed in March 2025 by Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia, positioning Albania as a regional defense leader. She underscored the importance of integrating Kosovo into regional security structures to counter hybrid threats and external interference.
Albania's journey toward EU membership began with its official application in 2009. After receiving a favorable opinion from the European Commission in 2012, Albania was granted candidate country status in 2014. Formal accession negotiations commenced in July 2022. The country achieved a key Euro-Atlantic integration goal by becoming a NATO member in 2009 following its invitation to join at the Bucharest Summit in 2008.