Oct 15, 2024 – Hungary, holding the EU presidency, has called for an Intergovernmental Conference after EU members agreed Albania met conditions to open the first chapter of membership talks. The meeting is taking place in Luxembourg, with Albania’s delegation led by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Focus on democratic reforms
Starting membership talks signals Albania’s shift toward political, economic, and social reform. According to the EU’s new enlargement rules, the first chapters focused on fundamental rights and rule of law are the most time-consuming.
The first group of chapters includes areas such as justice, the judiciary, democratic institutions, public procurement, and public administration reform. Progress in these areas will set the pace for the overall negotiations. Albania must open and close 33 chapters to join the EU.
Gladis Gjipali, Executive Director of the European Movement in Albania, said the process brings the country closer to EU policies and markets. “Albanian institutions will now focus on meeting EU standards,” Gjipali told DW Shqip. He added that while Albania won’t be a member yet, it will have access to EU funds and programs during the talks.
Mixed reactions on the negotiations
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, speaking alongside Rama, said Albania should already be in the EU. “Unfortunately, we face political obstacles,” he said, stressing Hungary’s support for good neighbor relations and backing the Western Balkans’ EU integration.
Silvio Gonzato, the EU Ambassador to Albania, called the start of negotiations a “critical moment” in the country’s EU journey. He urged Albanian political forces to treat integration as a national priority and stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation between institutions.
Gjipali also warned of potential risks, including reform fatigue and political polarization, which could slow down implementation of EU requirements. She pointed to the EU’s decision-making process, noting that vetoes from individual member states could cause further delays.
A long path to EU membership
Albania applied for EU membership in 2009 but only gained candidate status in 2014. Previous delays were caused by concerns over crime and corruption, with France and the Netherlands vetoing talks. Albania had hoped to start negotiations in 2021, but Bulgaria’s veto over a dispute with North Macedonia further delayed the process. Now, Albania will continue on its path to EU membership, independently of North Macedonia.
Credit: This article was originally published by DW and adapted into English by Tir-Fax.
