Albania’s European prospects are becoming clearer. After provisionally closing negotiations on three chapters of the Community acquis last July (see EUROPE 13910/19), Tirana and the EU provisionally closed another chapter in Luxembourg on Tuesday 13 October: chapter 20, on enterprise and industrial policy. Four of the 33 chapters have now been provisionally closed.
“I encourage Prime Minister Rama and Albania to continue the momentum that you’ve created and to continue to implement the Commission's recommendations to secure further progress in the accession process”, said Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs. The Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU wants to accelerate the pace of negotiations before the end of its term.
“And I heard you, dear Thomas, loud and clear. You want to do more. We want at least to double. So let us work together, Albanians and Irish, and let us rock this house and let’s make it happen”, replied Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who aims to complete negotiations with the EU by the end of 2027. The exchange took place at the first of three Intergovernmental Conferences held on Tuesday 13 October, ahead of those with Ukraine and Moldova. Thomas Byrne called it “Super Tuesday” (see EUROPE 13956/8).
“Albania has set itself an ambitious goal of closing all negotiating chapters by the end of 2027, and we support this ambition”, added Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, who called on Albania to continue its reforms, particularly on the rule of law. (Original version in French by Louis Dubar)