Denmark takes EU presidency on July 1, signals support for enlargement
Starting July 1, Denmark will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union. In advance of this, Copenhagen has reaffirmed its strong backing for the EU enlargement process — with Albania high on its agenda.
Why is this important: Denmark is a consistent supporter of EU enlargement and has endorsed every step Albania has taken in its path toward membership. Its presidency comes at a key moment for Albania, which aims to conclude technical negotiations by 2027.
Context: Danish Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre visited Tirana for talks with Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani. She emphasized her government’s view that EU enlargement is a strategic priority, not just for candidate countries but for the EU itself.
“Enlargement is more important than ever due to geopolitical developments. Enlargement is not just good for candidate countries, but it’s also crucial for the EU, which must be stronger and larger. I am very confident that Albania will make major progress and become the EU’s newest member in the coming years,” she said.
Foreign Minister Hasani reiterated the government’s goal of concluding the technical negotiation process by 2027 — a timeline publicly backed by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
“We are confident that under Denmark’s leadership, the enlargement process will remain high on the EU agenda.”
What’s next: Two days after Denmark takes over the presidency, Albania’s negotiating team — led by the Prime Minister — will travel to Brussels to open Cluster 3: “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth.” This group includes eight individual chapters.
The Albanian government has also declared its aim to open Cluster 4 (Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity) and Cluster 5 (Resources, Agriculture, and Cohesion) within this calendar year.
Go deeper
Berisha denounces May 11 vote as a “farce” amid mounting pressure over defeat
Published on May 20, 2025
Why is this important: Berisha came to power by ousting Lulzim Basha — the very man he once helped install — on the argument that Basha’s 2021 defeat disqualified him from leading. Yet Berisha has now produced a far worse result. The contradiction and a series of miscalculations and mistakes in the run-up to the campaign, is now fueling internal criticism and raising questions about his grip on the party.
“100 days in prison”: Veliaj says detention is unjust, vows to keep fighting
Published on May 20, 2025
Why is this important: Veliaj remains in custody under charges of corruption and money laundering, despite not being formally indicted. He claims the ongoing detention is a violation of his electoral mandate and an attack on democratic institutions. His case has sparked political debate about the line between justice and political obstruction.
Albania concludes vote count: Socialists secure historic fourth term as opposition collapses
Published on May 20, 2025
Why is this important: After 12 years in power, Albanians have handed Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party a fourth consecutive mandate — a rare feat in European politics. Meanwhile, the opposition under Sali Berisha suffered another sharp blow, shrinking to one of its weakest results ever. Berisha, who is facing trial for corruption and has been declared non grata by both the U.S. and the U.K., now leads a party whose perspective seems increasingly bleak. As Rama put it: “Albanians chose to keep the same government because they want a different opposition.”