Albania today opened Cluster 4 in its accession negotiations with the European Union (EU), the fifth in less than a year, stating that it aims to open the final cluster by the end of the year.
At the EU-Albania Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, negotiations on the Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity were opened, opening a total of 28 chapters so far.
Cluster 4 includes chapters 14 (transport policy), 15 (energy), 21 (trans-European networks) and 27 (environment and climate change).
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stated at a press conference that the EU is an "empire" to which Albania wants to belong.
"Today we opened another cluster, the fifth in 11 months. I think that's a record. We want to open the last cluster by the end of the year, I know that's ambitious, but I hope we'll succeed," said Rama.
He said that Albania still has many challenges and efforts ahead, but that there is no other way.
"Finally, for the first time in history, we can freely choose who we want to marry. In the past, we have been in forced marriages with other empires, but this is the empire we want to be a part of. An empire of values, rights and security in which our citizens will be confident that their freedom and rights will not be taken away," Rama said.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Albania has done "impressive work" and that she is confident that if it continues at this pace, it will open the last cluster by the end of the year.
"I know that the reforms we demand from candidate countries are sometimes not easy and require fundamental changes, but Albania has shown that positive change is possible and that the EU rewards it," Kos said.
The European Commissioner praised the Albanian authorities for the reforms they have implemented in recent years, adding that it is not easy to open clusters, but it is even more difficult to close chapters and that Albania must continue to implement reforms, especially in the areas of judicial reform, the fight against corruption, minority rights and media freedom.
Kos said that the Albanian government's goal is to complete the negotiations in the technical part by the end of 2027 and that the European Union supports that vision.
"There is no doubt that Albania's future is in the EU, and today we are one step closer to that goal," Kos said.
Before the start of the intergovernmental conference, she said that differences are visible among the candidate countries, and that one of the biggest roles in the accession process is played by the country's leadership.
"If the leadership shows a pro-European orientation, then citizens have the feeling that the country is heading in the right direction," Kos said.
Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre, whose country holds the EU presidency, said that the opening of another cluster in Albania's accession negotiations is a significant step and shows that real reforms bring real results.
"Over the years, Albania has made great efforts in judicial reform, the fight against corruption and harmonization with EU foreign policy. It has shown that it clearly sees its future in Europe, is delivering results and deserves recognition," said Bjere.
She added that the Danish EU presidency will continue to work on the enlargement process, which has become a geopolitical necessity after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We need to continue enlargement for a stronger and more secure EU, and that is why enlargement is a priority of the Danish presidency," said Bjere.
Albania opened four clusters from October 2024 to May this year – 1 (fundamentals), 2 (internal market), 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth) and 6 (foreign policy).
The only cluster that remained unopened is Cluster 5, which relates to resources, agriculture and cohesion.
Albania applied for EU membership in 2009, received candidate status in 2014, and the first intergovernmental conference between the European Union and Albania was held in 2022.
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