Albania to open final EU negotiation cluster at intergovernmental conference on November 17

Albania will formally open its last remaining negotiation cluster — Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion — during the upcoming seventh intergovernmental conference with the EU, scheduled for November 17, the Danish EU Presidency has confirmed.

Why is this important: The milestone means that Albania will have opened all EU accession clusters within just 12 months — a feat Prime Minister Edi Rama called a “record” in the history of European integration. The rapid pace significantly strengthens Albania’s goal to complete technical negotiations by 2027 and become a full EU member by 2030.

Context: The intergovernmental conference is the latest formal step in Albania’s accession process. Speaking about the development, Rama praised Albania’s momentum and framed the EU path as central to the country’s ongoing transformation.

Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania:
“Albania has achieved the unthinkable: all negotiation chapters opened within 12 months — a historic record. Nothing can stop us from reaching our 2030 goal of EU membership, nor from closing negotiations by 202,” said PM Rama.

He also highlighted progress in economic growth, rising wages and pensions, increased foreign investment, and improved social services — all achieved, he said, without raising taxes.

“Albania is working and winning more respect every day,” he said.

EU ambassadors visit Tirana:

Ahead of the conference, all EU member state ambassadors, led by EU delegation chief Silvio Gonzato, were received by the Prime Minister for their annual enlargement meeting. The gathering followed the release of the European Commission’s 2025 Progress Report and focused on both achievements and remaining steps in Albania’s path toward membership.

The Albanian government emphasized the importance of keeping EU capitals informed about progress, as the final political decision on Albania’s membership rests with each national parliament.