Last week, Tirana marked a major milestone on Albania’s path to joining the European Union by opening six key negotiation clusters. This achievement is also linked to the latest annual “Enlargement Package” from the European Commission, which now sees enlargement as an important geopolitical tool for a stronger, more unified Europe, and not just a technical process.
By Fjona Merkaj, Project Officer at ELF
Last week, Tirana marked a major milestone on Albania’s path to joining the European Union by opening six key negotiation clusters. This achievement is also linked to the latest annual “Enlargement Package” from the European Commission, which now sees enlargement as an important geopolitical tool for a stronger, more unified Europe, and not just a technical process.
In this new context, Albania plays a crucial role in the EU’s evolving approach. Tirana demonstrates that sustained effort and reforms can drive national growth and advance the region toward EU membership. The country’s strong commitment to reform has accelerated its progress and boosted the momentum in the region.
Albania: Progress Confirmed, Leadership Proven.
With this foundation established, and the broader context clear, it is essential to show that Albania has truly earned its leading role and is prepared for the next steps toward integration.
Brussels has consistently recognised this readiness, often naming Albania and Montenegro as regional leaders of enlargement. This is based on genuine reforms and is supported by strong praise for Albania’s step forwards in justice reform, anti-corruption efforts, and its commitment into tackling organised crime.
Next Phase: Addressing Gaps and Aligning Strategy
While the latest report serves as an endorsement, it also functions as a roadmap for future actions. It highlights the country’s weaknesses, including issues with parliamentary oversight and media freedom. To address these challenges and match the goal of accelerating negotiations, the pace of reforms must remain high and inclusive.
Additionally, Albania’s commitment to fully align with the EU’s common and external security policy signals its strategic choice and reliability as a future member. Similarly, Montenegro is also praised for its progress and is expected to join the Union by 2027. Taken together, Albania’s progress, along with its Western Balkan partners, shows the region can capitalise on this window of opportunity.
Staged Integration: The Engine for Acceleration
Looking beyond Albania’s achievements, its current momentum shows a bigger lesson: a flexible, staged approach is key to successfully completing the European project, as ELF has argued before.
Therefore, moving beyond the rigid “all-or-nothing” accession model is necessary to have a more flexible, staged integration. This approach, now reinforced by the European Commission, is a crucial mechanism for turbocharging reforms across Albania and all accession countries by a direct, merit-based link between performance and rewards.
A New Chapter unlocked for a United Europe
During a time of major geopolitical uncertainty, Albania’s real progress shows that enlargement is Europe’s strongest tool for unity and stability. Staged integration moves the focus from distant promises to more clear steps and realistic timing for joining the European Union.