Why is it important: Albania has held EU candidate status for over a decade. Internal challenges within the country, as well as issues within the EU itself, have delayed the accession process for Albania, which is widely regarded as one of the most pro-European countries in the region. Securing EU membership would not only enhance Albania’s political standing but also reinforce legal reforms, democratic principles, and economic growth.

Why is this important: The EU integration process is a national priority, and its success hinges on political unity. EU officials have repeatedly stressed the need for cooperation between Albania’s ruling and opposition parties to progress through the negotiation chapters. Despite unanimous support for European membership, actual political actions, not just rhetoric, will determine Albania’s ability to advance towards EU accession.

Why it matters: Even before Von der Leyen’s letter the Abania – Italy model was being closely watched by EU leaders desperate to find solutions to the increasingly polarizing migration problem. Indeed the awareness that the agreement with Italy could contribute to a EU level solution to the problem may well have been one of the key considerations behind the Albanian Government’s decision to agree to work with Italy. Von der Leyen’s letter seems to confirm that the model is now viewed as a possible solution and that there is a shift in the EU on migration management.  By creating external hubs in third countries, the EU aims to streamline the asylum process and prevent dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean. The Italy-Albania agreement, which serves as a model, could offer practical insights on how to handle asylum claims while keeping migrants outside EU borders until their applications are processed.