EU backs Albania’s rapid progress on reforms, eyes full chapter opening soon

The European Commission voiced full support for Albania’s push to open all remaining EU accession negotiation chapters as quickly as possible. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos praised Albania’s reform pace during a European Parliament hearing, calling it a frontrunner alongside Montenegro in rule-of-law progress.

Why this is important: This strong endorsement signals Brussels’ increasing confidence in Albania’s EU trajectory. Opening all negotiation chapters would mark a major milestone in the country’s path toward membership—one that few candidate states reach this swiftly.

Context: Speaking before the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Kos cited Albania as an example of accelerated reform implementation. She highlighted the country’s leadership—especially in legal and institutional reforms—as a reason for opening additional clusters of negotiation chapters in recent months.

“Albania and Montenegro are the frontrunners in the enlargement process, especially in the area of the rule of law. But whatever we do with candidate countries, we must apply what I call the ‘eagle eye’—we must monitor not just laws being passed, but whether they are implemented. That’s the hardest part.”

Kos noted that two new clusters were opened with Albania in the last two months and confirmed the Commission’s enthusiasm to continue with this momentum. However, she stressed that chapter closure—rather than mere opening—will be the real test of Albania’s readiness.

What happened: The Commission acknowledged that while legislative reforms are crucial, the practical enforcement of these reforms remains the real benchmark for EU membership. Kos made clear that future progress will depend on the credibility and consistency of reform execution.

She also made brief remarks on the broader regional context, emphasizing the importance of stability in Kosovo and the need for constructive dialogue with Serbia, mediated by the EU. Kosovo’s path toward the EU, she said, runs through normalization—not unilateral action.

What’s next: Albania is expected to open more negotiation chapters in the coming months. The Commission will maintain close monitoring of reform implementation as the country moves toward the next stage: chapter closure. If progress continues, Albania could position itself among the top candidates for EU accession in the region.