EU Enlargement chief urges Albania to finalize negotiations with opening of last chapter

The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has called on Albania to take the final step in its EU accession process by opening the last negotiation cluster — on agriculture and food safety — within November.

Why is this important: This would mark the formal completion of the chapter-opening stage in Albania’s EU integration talks, putting the country among the frontrunners in the Western Balkans enlargement process. The cluster on agriculture and food safety is considered one of the most technically demanding, requiring alignment with complex EU standards on production, inspection, and consumer protection.

Context: Speaking in Brussels alongside Albania’s Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali, Kos praised Albania’s progress, noting that it has opened all clusters except one. “With your help, we hope to turn this last red mark on our enlargement wall yellow by November,” she said, highlighting Albania’s strong public support for EU membership, with 92% of citizens in favor.

Spiropali emphasized Albania’s commitment to completing the process on merit and reform performance, calling it both a strategic and transformational moment for the country. She reaffirmed Albania’s goal to advance through interim benchmarks and chapter closures by 2027, aligning with EU standards.

During her visit to Brussels, Spiropali also met with other senior EU officials to discuss the next steps in the negotiation process and ongoing reforms tied to the rule of law and public administration.