Albania and Croatia plan intergovernmental summit in 2026, discuss energy and EU cooperation

Following the first-ever G2G summit with Italy, the Albanian government is now planning a similar intergovernmental meeting with Croatia, potentially in 2026. The announcement was made after a meeting in Zagreb between Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, and her Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlić Radman.

Why is this important: The planned Albania–Croatia G2G summit would mark a deepening of bilateral ties and a move toward a new level of institutional cooperation between the two countries, both NATO members and partners on major regional infrastructure projects.

Context: Croatia, the most recent EU member, has long supported Albania’s EU accession process. The two foreign ministers emphasized that Croatia’s experience with fast-track negotiations can serve as a model for Albania’s own path toward full membership.

“Albania’s progress proves that Croatia’s merit-based approach to enlargement is the right one. Albania is a strong example of this. Croatia fully supports Albania’s EU aspirations,” declared Gordan Grlić Radman, Foreign Minister of Croatia.

Energy and infrastructure cooperation: Both countries are part of the Adriatic–Ionian Highway (Blue Corridor) project, and the ministers confirmed that they also discussed plans currently under review for the development of the Adriatic–Ionian gas pipeline — a strategic energy initiative for the wider region.