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.

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Cluster 3 is considered an important segment on Serbia’s integration path toward the EU. Known as “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth,” it includes key areas such as digital transformation, economic and monetary policy, taxation, education and culture, science and research, as well as issues related to employment and social policies.

However, the final word does not belong to the European Commission. Opening this cluster requires the unanimous approval of all European Union member states, which will review the recommendation in the coming days.

Although the European Commission has given a positive signal, some member states had earlier expressed reservations about Serbia’s progress in the negotiations, calling for more tangible steps in democratic reforms, as well as progress in normalizing relations with Kosovo.

As a result, it still remains unclear whether the proposal will secure the unanimous support of the member states and whether Cluster 3 will be opened this month.

Lama: As far as relations with Kosovo are concerned, Serbia remains destabilizing, but it is clear that the EU is using both the ‘stick’ and the ‘carrot’ with Serbia

Former ambassador Alma Lama told “Bota sot” that the recommendation to open Chapter 3 of the negotiations with Serbia is related to internal reforms and not to Kosovo.

According to her, although Serbia appears to have fulfilled some formal criteria, it still remains far from alignment with the EU’s foreign policy, especially because of its pro-Russian stance.

“First of all, Serbia is part of the European Union membership process. The third chapter that the Commission has recommended to be opened is not linked to Kosovo, but to internal reforms in Serbia, such as the judiciary, the media and the legal framework for elections, and formally it appears to have met the criteria. As far as alignment with the EU’s foreign policy regarding Ukraine and Russia is concerned, Serbia remains far behind and is the only country in the region that maintains a pro-Russian stance,” she said.

Lama further assessed that Serbia continues to play a destabilizing role toward Kosovo, but stressed that the European Union is simultaneously using both pressure and incentives in its approach to Belgrade.

“As far as relations with Kosovo are concerned, Serbia remains destabilizing, but it is clear that the EU is using both the stick and the carrot with Serbia. The opening of negotiating chapters is a process that must be approved by all EU states, therefore this is not a done deal, while proof of the rule of law comes after the opening of the chapters, when the criteria must be fulfilled rigorously,” she stressed.

Arifi: Nevertheless, it is up to Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to do its job so that we are not caught by surprise

Along the same lines, former ambassador Avni Arifi said that although the European Commission has proposed opening Cluster 3, it remains difficult for this proposal to receive the support of all EU member states. He also called for greater engagement from Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

“It is true that the Commission has proposed opening Cluster 3 as a result of some reforms that the Serbian state has made in the field of media freedom, certain laws, as well as cooperation in foreign policy. However, this proposal is unlikely to receive the support of the member states, precisely taking into account the reasons you have mentioned.

As long as terrorists with bloodied hands continue to walk the streets of Belgrade, it is hard to believe that EU countries will agree. Nevertheless, it is up to Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to do its job so that we are not caught by surprise,” he told “Bota sot”.

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