EU leaders give optimism on enlargement, Albania could join by 2029

European Union leaders at the Bled summit delivered optimistic messages on enlargement, with Albania and Montenegro emerging as frontrunners to become the bloc’s newest members by 2029.

Why is this important: In the past ten months, Albania has opened five negotiation clusters and is expected to open the final one in mid-September. Clear timelines from Brussels signal the strongest momentum yet for Western Balkan accession.

Context: Two years ago in Bled, Charles Michel called for a concrete deadline, suggesting 2030 as the year the EU should expand. His successor as European Council president reiterated: “Enlargement is the best investment we can make to reconcile countries and histories. We will continue to work with our partners and take advantage of this positive momentum. The biggest challenge is not reforms, but the adaptation of a mindset and culture that overcomes historical conflicts.”

Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the process is nearly complete for Albania and Montenegro, with possible accession dates of 2028 for Montenegro and 2029 for Albania.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking alongside counterparts from Montenegro, Croatia, and Slovenia, said EU membership is valuable for strengthening institutions. “We never had institutions before in the true sense, and building them is the most difficult process,” he noted.

Rama emphasized Albania’s strong public support for EU integration, calling it decisive in the May 11 elections: “We are deeply committed to it. The reason we won so strongly this time was closely tied to the EU’s commitment and the call for everyone to rally around the flag to bring it into the EU.”

He also framed enlargement as a shield against outside interference: “If the EU enlarges with us, it becomes stronger, more compact. Otherwise, leaving part of the organism open allows microbes, viruses, infections to enter. If things go another way, it will be an open wound at the heart of Europe.”

Beyond enlargement, Rama argued Europe must be present in all global forums, including China’s. “Europe must be everywhere the world meets. Europe is above all peace, the culture of peace, peace in culture.”

In an earlier panel, he raised concerns about EU leadership: “The main problem is what direction Europe will take. Will it deepen into the United States of Europe, or break into pieces with each country becoming someone’s satellite? That is the big question — one I don’t have the answer to.”

Next steps: The EU Council is expected to confirm the opening of Albania’s final negotiation cluster in September, keeping the 2029 accession timeline in focus.