Vata: Closing Three EU Chapters Is Progress, but Albania Still Faces Major Membership Challenges

Albania marked an important step in its European integration process on Tuesday.

At the 9th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, held yesterday, the provisional closure of three negotiating chapters was confirmed: Chapter 25 “Science and Research”, Chapter 26 “Education and Culture” and Chapter 30 “External Relations”.

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described the development as an event of importance for the EU’s enlargement policy and highlighted Albania’s progress towards membership.

“Today is a ‘Super Tuesday’ for European Union enlargement. For the first time in more than two decades, we are holding four accession conferences on the same day. Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro are taking major steps forward on their path towards EU membership,” Kos told the media.

She said that Ukraine and Moldova are opening Chapter 6, related to protection and security, while Albania is closing its first three negotiating chapters. Kos added that Montenegro has entered the final stage of negotiations, having closed 18 out of 33 chapters.

“Today’s moment must be turned into concrete results on the ground,” the Enlargement Commissioner stressed.

The closure of Chapter 25, “Science and Research”, is seen as evidence of Albania’s progress in scientific research, innovation and technological development. It is also linked to the implementation of the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), which aims to bring the Albanian economy closer to the European Single Market.

Meanwhile, Chapter 26, “Education and Culture”, reflects the steps taken to modernise education, improve quality and inclusion in the sector, as well as develop youth and cultural policies in line with European standards.

The closure of Chapter 30, “External Relations”, assesses Albania as a reliable EU partner due to the alignment of its trade policy and international agreements with Union policies.

Prime Minister Edi Rama described the closure of the first three chapters as an important moment for Albania’s integration, following the conclusion of the 9th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference.

During a press conference alongside Marta Kos, Rama said the latest development was another “milestone” on the country’s irreversible path towards membership in the European Union.

“This is not merely a step, but a clear assessment that Albania is moving forward, that reforms are producing results and that our country is increasingly prepared to assume the responsibilities of membership,” Rama said.

According to the prime minister, the completion of these chapters also sends a strong signal for the EU enlargement process, as Albania’s results are receiving the appropriate response from the European Union. He noted that reforms are bringing European standards closer to Albanian citizens, who, he said, are raising their demands and expectations of the government.

“We are building the Albania we want to see as a full-fledged member of the European Union. Proof of this is that citizens are demanding more and are increasingly less tolerant of what does not work,” Prime Minister Rama concluded.

Albanian analyst Ilir Vata, in a statement to the newspaper “Bota sot”, interprets the closure of the chapters as an opportunity to advance reforms, investment and the alignment of Albanian standards with those of the European Union.

“Albania has entered an important phase of the European Union integration process, and the provisional closure of three chapters shows that the country is moving forward on this long journey. The integration process is difficult and complex. Closing chapters does not mean that Albania has become part of the EU, but rather that the way is opening for deeper reforms, investment and the alignment of the country’s standards with those of the European Union. Question: Commissioner Marta Kos ranked Albania among the countries making the greatest progress in EU enlargement,” Vata stated.

According to the analyst, Brussels has supported and encouraged Albania, while he believes that Marta Kos displays more optimism than the Albanian government itself.

“Yes, Brussels has encouraged Albania and pushed for the acceleration of reforms. In fact, the country has made progress in several indicators, such as justice reform and infrastructure investment, but this is still not enough. A great deal of work is needed for Albania to come closer to European Union standards. I think Marta Kos is more optimistic than the Albanian government itself, but her statements are intended to motivate the country to speed up reforms and achieve European standards,” he said.

Vata also spoke to “Bota sot” about the expected impact on Albanian citizens and institutions of closing the chapters on Scientific Research, Education and Culture, as well as External Relations.

“Citizens will be direct beneficiaries only when education meets European Union standards, but that day still appears far away. Education in Albania is going through a difficult period. Many schools are closing in rural areas, while problems with infrastructure continue in major cities. Classes are still held in shifts, classrooms are overcrowded and the quality of teaching remains a challenge. Private schools, in my opinion, have created serious problems in the quality of education, in some cases favouring formalism and the devaluation of graduation standards. Scientific research is almost non-existent. The Academy of Sciences needs profound reform. Culture and art also face inherited and new problems; there is a lack of a legal framework harmonised with European Union standards. As a result, art and culture continue to lack the necessary institutional support,” Vata stressed.

He believes that, at the current pace, Albania may need more than a decade to become part of the European Union.

The analyst also listed the main issues that the country needs to address.

“Albania’s membership in the European Union does not depend only on Brussels, but above all on the fulfilment of obligations by the country itself. Closing chapters does not automatically imply membership, but requires continued reforms and the achievement of European standards. At the current pace, I think Albania may need more than a decade to join. The country remains among the poorest in Europe. Major challenges remain raising the subsistence minimum, pensions, road infrastructure, drinking water supply, resolving property issues, the integration of politically persecuted people, the fight against organised crime, money laundering and corruption, as well as completing the property legalisation process. Albania also continues to face challenges in the functioning of democracy, reforming the Electoral Code, territorial reform, media independence and the institutional handling of the legacy of the communist dictatorship. Only through progress in these areas can it genuinely move closer to European Union standards,” the analyst concluded.