EU hands progress report to Albania, urges completion of key reforms to stay on 2027 track

The European Union has formally delivered its 2025 Progress Report to Prime Minister Edi Rama, with the EU Ambassador in Tirana hailing Albania’s efforts as “excellent” — while warning that key benchmarks must be met by year’s end to maintain momentum toward 2027 membership.

Why is this important: The clear call for action underscores that while Albania is among the frontrunners in the EU enlargement process, unresolved reform priorities could block the provisional closure of negotiation chapters, potentially derailing the 2027 accession goal.

Context: The report was handed over one day after its presentation in Brussels. Speaking in Tirana, EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato reiterated the European Commission’s praise but emphasized that Albania must deliver tangible results in the coming weeks.

“These milestones are non-negotiable. Without meeting them, no chapter can be closed, even provisionally,” Gonzato said.

What’s required: Gonzato listed the outstanding reforms Albania must complete by the end of 2025, including:

• Continued vetting of judges and prosecutors
• Stronger capacities to fight corruption, organized crime, and money laundering
• Measures to counter gender discrimination
• Reforms on whistleblower protection and media freedom
• Establishment of a national drug observatory
• Effective border management to prevent irregular migration flows

He also called for political consensus in parliament:
“Parliament has a critical role to play. We need healthy, even political, debates on how Albania will become an EU member. That’s what democracy is about.”

Rama’s response: Prime Minister Rama welcomed the report as confirmation that Albania is “on the right track” and described it as a “glass half-full.”

“This report says one main thing: Albania is on the right path to technically complete negotiations by 2027. That’s the message,” Rama said, adding that challenges remain but are surmountable.

He urged both supporters and critics of his government to take pride in the progress made:

“Feel good, all of you — whether supporters or opponents. This government has done its job for everyone,” Rama said. “Our government will not leave before bringing EU membership to Albania.”

Rama also addressed his proposal for limiting veto powers of new member states in EU decision-making. He argued such changes would ease existing members’ fears over enlargement and could be achieved through intergovernmental agreements rather than treaty amendments.

“It’s a positive step,” Rama said. “We are ready to take part in any discussion. What matters is that they’re not afraid of our veto, and we don’t ask for one.”

Ambassador Gonzato clarified that no such proposal is currently under discussion within EU institutions.

“The Commission is not suggesting treaty changes or two-tier memberships,” he said, referencing enlargement commissioner Marta Kos. “Her comments referred to mechanisms that safeguard the rule of law for new members — not a change to core EU principles.”