Accession of Albania to the European Union

Ongoing accession process of Albania to the EU

Accession of Albania to the European Union

Status| Candidate negotiating
Earliest possible entry| 2027

Application

European perspective| 2003
Membership application| 24 April 2009
Candidate status| 24 June 2014
Screening| July 2022
Screened & negotiations commence| 15 October 2024

Negotiations

Clusters open| 4
Chapters open| 24
Clusters closed| 0
Chapters closed| 0  | 0% complete

Memberships & Treaties

Association Agreement
1 April 2009
Economic and monetary policy
EU Free Trade Agreement| part of the SAA
World Trade Organization (WTO)| Member since 8 September 2000
Euro & the Eurozone| The euro is widely accepted in Albania, although it has no formal approval, and the official currency of the country is the Albanian Lek.
Travel
Schengen visa liberalisation| 15 December 2010
Energy
Energy Community| 24 May 2006
Euratom| There are no nuclear power plants or research reactors in Albania.
ENTSO-E| Operatori i Sistemit te Transmetimit is a member
Foreign and military policy
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)| 1 April 2009
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)| 17 September 1991
Human rights and international courts
Council of Europe (CoE)| Member since 13 July 1995
International Criminal Court (ICC)| Member since 1 May 2003
International Court of Justice (ICJ)| Entitled to appear since 14 December 1955

Impact (27+1)

| Population| 446,828,803| 449,845,596  0.63%

|
|

Area| 4,233,262 km2
1,634,472 mi2| 4,264,004 km2 0.68%
1,645,572 mi2 0.68%
HDI| 0.896| 0.891  0.22%
GDP (PPP)| $25.399 trillion|
GDP per capita (PPP)| $56,928|
GDP| $17.818 trillion|
GDP per capita| $39,940|
Gini| 30.0| 31.31  0.4%
Official Languages| 24| Albanian 1

Politics of Albania

Constitution

* Human rights

Executive

* President: Bajram Begaj (list)
* Prime Minister: Edi Rama (list)
* Deputy Prime Minister: Belinda Balluku (list)
* Cabinet

Legislature

* Parliament
* Speaker: Elisa Spiropali (list)
* Committees
* Members
* Leader of the Opposition

Judiciary

* Constitutional Court
* Administrative Court
* Court of Justice (ordinary jurisdiction)
* Supreme Court

Administrative divisions

* Counties
* Municipalities
*     * Cities
* Villages

Elections

* Recent elections
* Presidential
*     * 2012
* 2017
* 2022

* Parliamentary
*     * 2017
* 2021
* 2025

* Local
*     * 2015
* 2019
* 2023

* Referendums
*     * 1994
* 1997
* 1998

* Political parties
* Parliamentary
*     * PD
* PS
* PL
* PDIU
* PSD
* PR
* PBDNJ
* PM
* DJATHTAS
* PAA
* LZhK
* PLL
* KEA

Foreign relations

* Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
* Minister: Igli Hasani

* * *

* Diplomatic missions of / in Albania

* * *

* Nationality law
* Passport
* Visa requirements
* Visa policy

Albania

* v
* t
* e

Albania is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the European Union (EU). It applied for EU membership on 28 April 2009, and has since June 2014 been an official candidate for accession. The Council of the European Union decided in March 2020 to open accession negotiations with Albania.[1]

However, the country did not start accession negotiations because its candidacy was linked to that of North Macedonia, which was vetoed by Bulgaria.[2] On 24 June 2022, Bulgaria's parliament approved lifting the country's veto on opening EU accession talks with North Macedonia. On 16 July 2022, the Assembly of North Macedonia also approved the revised French proposal, allowing accession negotiations to begin.[3] The start of negotiations was officially launched on 19 July 2022.[4] As of October 2024[update], Albania aims to be ready for accession by 2030, a timeline acknowledged by Prime Minister Edi Rama as "very ambitious."[5] After the 2025 Albanian parliamentary elections which led to the victory of Edi Rama's party, Emmanuel Macron stated that "in two years to come, as now he has a clear mandate (Edi Rama), he (Albania) will join the EU”, suggesting an entry of Albania as early as 2027.[6][7]

It is one of nine current EU candidate countries, together with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.

## Chronology of relations with the European Union

[edit]

Officially recognised by the EU as a "potential candidate country" in 2000, Albania started negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2003. This was successfully agreed and signed on 12 June 2006, thus completing the first major step toward Albania's full membership in the EU.

Albania applied for European Union membership on 28 April 2009. After Albania's application for EU membership, the Council of the European Union asked the European Commission on 16 November 2009 to prepare an assessment on the readiness of Albania to start accession negotiations.[8] On 16 December 2009, the European Commission submitted the Questionnaire on accession preparation to the Albanian government. Albania returned answers to the Commission on 14 April 2010.[9] On 5 December 2013, an MEP meeting recommended to the council to grant Albania candidate status.[10] On 23 June 2014, under the Greek EU Presidency, the Council of the European Union agreed to grant Albania candidate status, which was endorsed by the European Council a few days later. Following in the steps of countries joining the EU in 2004, Albania has been extensively engaged with EU institutions, and joined NATO as a full member in 2009.

The European Commission recommended that the EU open membership talks with Albania in its November 2016 assessment.[11] In June 2018 the European Council agreed on a pathway to starting accession talks with Albania by the end of 2019.[12][13]

Albania's EU accession is bundled with North Macedonia's EU accession. Albania is given certain pre-conditions for starting the accession negotiations, such as passing reforms in the justice system, a new electoral law, opening trials for corrupt judges and respect for the human rights of its Greek minority.[14][15]

In May 2019, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn reiterated this recommendation.[16] However, in June the EU General Affairs Council decided to postpone their decision on opening negotiations to October, due to objections from a number of countries including the Netherlands and France.[17] The decision was vetoed again in October.[18] On 25 March 2020, the Council of the European Union decided to open accession negotiations, which was endorsed by the European Council the following day.[19][20]

In December 2022, Prime Minister Edi Rama hosted the 2022 EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana.[21]

On 13 September 2023, during her State of the European Union address, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen stated that the future of the Western Balkans was "in our Union".[22]

On 25 September 2024, the EU announced the decoupling of Albania from North Macedonia on the EU accession path, due to the disputes between North Macedonia and Bulgaria around the Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia, which had delayed further talks.[23] Following the decision on the decoupling of their processes, the EU opened negotiations on cluster 1 (Fundamentals) with Albania separately on 15 October 2024.[23]

On 19 November 2024, Albania and the European Union signed a Security and Defence Partnership.[24]

On 17 December 2024, the EU opened negotiations on cluster 6 (External relations) with Albania.[25] On 14 April 2025, negotiations were opened on cluster 2 (Internal market),[26] and on 22 May 2025, also on cluster 3 (Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth).[27] Meanwhile, clusters 4 (Green agenda and sustainable connectivity) and 5 (Resources, agriculture and cohesion) were expected to be opened in June,[28] alongside the first closing of chapters in early 2026.[29]

Timeline  Date  | Event

|

1992 | A Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the EU and Albania was signed, and Albania became eligible for funding under the EU Phare programme.
1997 | The EU Council of Ministers established political and economic conditionality for the development of bilateral relations between Albania and the EU.
1999 | The EU proposed the new Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) for five countries of Southeastern Europe, including Albania. Starting from 1999 Albania benefited from Autonomous Trade Preferences with the EU.
2000 | Duty-free access to EU market was granted for products from Albania.[30]
June 2000 | The European Council stated that all the SAP countries are "potential candidates" for EU membership.
November 2000 | At the Zagreb Summit, the SAP was officially endorsed by the EU and the Western Balkan countries (including Albania).
2001 | The first year of the new CARDS programme specifically designed for the SAP countries.
June 2001 | The Commission recommended the undertaking of negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Albania. The Göteborg European Council invited the commission to present draft negotiating directives for the negotiation of a SAA.
31 January 2003 | The directives for the negotiation of a SAA with Albania were adopted. Commission President Prodi officially launches the negotiations for a SAA between the EU and Albania.
June 2003 | At the Thessaloniki Summit, the SAP was confirmed as the EU policy for the Western Balkans and the EU perspective for these countries was confirmed (countries participating in the SAP started to be eligible for EU accession and would join the EU once they would become ready).
December 2005 | The council made the decision on the principles of a revised European Partnership for Albania.
12 June 2006 | The SAA was signed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg.[30]
9 November 2006 | The European Commission decided to start visa facilitation negotiations with Albania.
13 April 2007 | The visa facilitation agreement was signed in Zagreb. The signing EU Commissioner Franco Frattini was quoted saying that this is the first step toward a full abolishment of the visa requirements and the free movement of Albanian citizens in the EU.
1 January 2008 | The visa facilitation agreement entered into force.
7 March 2008 | EU Commissioner Franco Frattini while in Tirana opened the dialogue toward the liberalisation of the visa regime between Albania and EU.
1 April 2009 | The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) entered into force.
28 April 2009 | Albania formally applied for membership in the European Union.[30]
16 November 2009 | The Council of the EU asked the European Commission to prepare an assessment on Albania's readiness to start accession negotiations. The Commission submitted the questionnaire on accession preparation to the Albanian government.[8]
14 April 2010 | Albania submitted answers to the European Commission's questionnaire,[9] but candidacy status was not granted by the EU in December 2010 due to a long-lasting political row in the country.[31]
27 May 2010 | The European Commission proposed visa free travel for Albania. The adopted proposal enabled citizens of Albania to travel to Schengen countries without needing a short term visa.[32]
8 November 2010 | The Council of the European Union approved visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for Albanian citizens.[33]
15 December 2010 | Visa-free access for Albanians to the Schengen area entered into force.
10 October 2012 | The European Commission recommended that Albania be granted EU candidate status, subject to the completion of key measures in certain areas.
August 2012 | The Albanian Parliament rejected a proposal to abolish immunity for parliament members, ministers and people in some other official positions. The EU required this to be abolished along with 11 other main issues, so candidate status was further delayed.[34] However, in September 2012 a constitutional amendment was unanimously passed which limited the immunity of parliamentarians.[35]
October 2012 | The European Commission evaluated the progress of Albania to comply with 12 key conditions to achieve official candidate status and start accession negotiations. The report concluded that if Albania managed to hold a fair and democratic parliamentary election in June 2013, and also implemented the remaining changes to comply with the eight key priorities still not fully met, then the Council of the European Union would recommended granting Albania official candidate status.[36][37]
23 June 2013 | Albania held a general election, generally regarded as free and fair.[38]
16 October 2013 | The European Commission released its annual reports on prospective member states which concluded that the Albanian election was held in an "orderly manner" and that progress had been made in meeting other conditions; as such it recommended granting Albania candidate status.[39]
5 December 2013 | In an MEP meeting it was recommended that "...the Council should acknowledge the progress made by Albania by granting it candidate status without undue delay."[10] However, several states, including Denmark and the Netherlands, remained opposed to granting Albania candidate status until it demonstrated that its recent progress could be sustained.[40] Consequently, the Council of the European Union, at its meeting in December 2013, agreed to postpone the decision on candidate status until June 2014.[41]
24 June 2014 | Under the Greek EU Presidency, the Council of the European Union agreed to grant Albania candidate status,[42][43] which was endorsed by the European Council a few days later.[44] This coincided with the 10th anniversary of the "Agenda 2014",[45] proposed by the Greek Government in 2004, as part of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki, for boosting the integration of all the Western Balkan states into the European Union.[46]
March 2015 | At the fifth "High Level Dialogue meeting" between Albania and the EU, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement (Johannes Hahn) notified Albania that the setting of a start date for accession negotiations to begin still required the following two conditions to be met: 1) The government need to reopen political dialogue with the parliamentary opposition, 2) Albania must deliver quality reforms for all 5 earlier identified key areas not yet complied with (public administration, rule of law, corruption, organised crime, fundamental rights[47]).[48] This official stance, was fully supported by the European Parliament through its pass of a Resolution comment in April 2015,[49] which agreed with all conclusions drawn by the commission's latest 2014 Progress Report on Albania.[50] The Albanian Prime Minister outlined the next step of his government would be to submit a detailed progress report on the implementation of the 5 key reforms to the Commission in Autumn 2015, and then he expected the accession negotiations should start shortly afterwards - before the end of 2015.[48]
22 July 2016 | The Albanian parliament approved constitutional amendments on justice reforms.
9 November 2016 | The Commission recommended the launch of negotiations.[51]
26 November 2016 | Germany announced that it would veto the opening accession talks until 2018.[52]
Early 2017[when?] | The European Parliament warned the government leaders that the parliamentary elections in June must be "free and fair" before negotiations could begin to admit the country into the Union. The MEPs also expressed concern about the country's "selective justice, corruption, the overall length of judicial proceedings and political interference in investigations and court cases" but the EU Press Release expressed some optimism: "It is important for Albania to maintain today's reform momentum and we must be ready to support it as much as possible in this process".[53]
December 2018 | Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stated that respect of the rights of the Greek minority in Albania is a precondition for Albania's entry into the European Union.[54][14]
June 2019 | The European Commissioner Johannes Hahn recommended that the EU open membership talks with Albania.[16] On 1 June 2019, the Council set out the path to opening accession negotiations, with talks thought to begin shortly thereafter.
September 2019 | Germany's Bundestag set as its preconditions for Albania's EU accession negotiations the reforms in the justice system, continue the fight against drug trafficking, a new electoral law, creation of SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Structure), functioning of the Constitutional Court & the Supreme court, appoint the new Prosecutor General, trials for the corrupt judges, and also drop some ambitions of Greater Albania.[55]
24 March 2020 | EU ministers reached a political agreement on opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.[56]
19 July 2022 | The first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on accession negotiations was held between the EU and Albania. This marked the formal start of the accession talks. Additionally, the European Commission started the screening process.[57]
25 September 2024 | The EU decides to decouple Albania from North Macedonia on the EU accession path and announces that accession chapters for Albania will open on 15 October 2024.
15 October 2024 | Albania opens negotiations with the EU on cluster 1 (Fundamentals) at the Second Intergovernmental Conference.[58]
16 December 2024 | Albania opens negotiations with the EU on cluster 6 (External relations) at the Third Intergovernmental Conference.
14 April 2025 | Albania opens negotiations with the EU on cluster 2 (Internal market) at the Fourth Intergovernmental Conference.[26]
22 May 2025 | Albania opens negotiations with the EU on cluster 3 (Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth) at the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference.[27]
Status of SAA ratification  | Event | North Macedonia [59] | Croatia [60] | Albania [61] | Montenegro [62][Note 1] | Bosnia and
Herzegovina [64] | Serbia [65][Note 2] | Kosovo [66][Note 3]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

SAA negotiations start | 2000-04-05  | 2000-11-24  | 2003-01-31  | 2005-10-10  | 2005-11-25  | 2005-10-10  | 2013-10-28[68]
SAA initialled | 2000-11-24  | 2001-05-14  | 2006-02-28  | 2007-03-15  | 2007-12-04  | 2007-11-07  | 2014-07-25[69]
SAA/IA signature | 2001-04-09  | 2001-10-29  | 2006-06-12  | 2007-10-15  | 2008-06-16  | 2008-04-29  | 2015-10-27[70]
Interim Agreement:
EC ratification  | 2001-04-27  | 2002-01-30  | 2006-06-12  | 2007-10-15  | 2008-06-16  | 2009-12-08  | N/A [Note 4]
SAP state ratification  | 2001-04-27  | 2002-01-30  | 2006-10-09  | 2007-11-14  | 2008-06-20  | 2008-09-22  | N/A [Note 4]
entry into force  | 2001-06-01  | 2002-03-01  | 2006-12-01  | 2008-01-01  | 2008-07-01  | 2010-02-01  | N/A [Note 4]
Deposit of the instrument of ratification:
SAP state  | 2001-04-27  | 2002-01-30  | 2006-11-09  | 2007-11-13  | 2009-02-26  | 2008-09-22  | 2016-02-26
Austria | 2002-09-06  | 2002-03-15  | 2008-05-21  | 2008-07-04  | 2009-09-04  | 2011-01-13  | N/A
Belgium | 2003-12-29  | 2003-12-17  | 2008-10-22  | 2010-03-29  | 2010-03-29  | 2012-03-20  | N/A
Bulgaria | joined the EU later  | 2008-05-30  | 2009-03-13  | 2010-08-12  | N/A
Croatia | joined the EU later  | N/A
Cyprus | joined the EU later  | 2008-05-30  | 2008-11-20  | 2009-07-02  | 2010-11-26  | N/A
Czech Republic | joined the EU later  | 2008-05-07  | 2009-02-19  | 2009-07-23  | 2011-01-28  | N/A
Denmark | 2002-04-10  | 2002-05-08  | 2008-04-24  | 2008-06-25  | 2009-05-26  | 2011-03-04  | N/A
Estonia | joined the EU later  | 2007-10-17  | 2007-11-22  | 2008-09-11  | 2010-08-19  | N/A
Finland | 2004-01-06  | 2004-01-06  | 2007-11-29  | 2009-03-18  | 2009-04-07  | 2011-10-21  | N/A
France | 2003-06-04  | 2003-06-04  | 2009-02-12  | 2009-07-30  | 2011-02-10  | 2012-01-16  | N/A
Germany | 2002-06-20  | 2002-10-18  | 2009-02-19  | 2009-11-16  | 2009-08-14  | 2012-02-24  | N/A
Greece | 2003-08-27  | 2003-08-27  | 2009-02-26  | 2010-03-04  | 2010-09-20  | 2011-03-10  | N/A
Hungary | joined the EU later  | 2007-04-23  | 2008-05-14  | 2008-10-22  | 2010-11-16  | N/A
Ireland | 2002-05-06  | 2002-05-06  | 2007-06-11  | 2009-06-04  | 2009-06-04  | 2011-09-29  | N/A
Italy | 2003-10-30  | 2004-10-06  | 2008-01-07  | 2009-10-13  | 2010-09-08  | 2011-01-06  | N/A
Latvia | joined the EU later  | 2006-12-19  | 2008-10-17  | 2009-11-12  | 2011-05-30  | N/A
Lithuania | joined the EU later  | 2007-05-17  | 2009-03-04  | 2009-05-04  | 2013-06-26  | N/A
Luxembourg | 2003-07-28  | 2003-08-01  | 2007-07-04  | 2009-06-11  | 2010-12-22  | 2011-01-21  | N/A
Malta | joined the EU later  | 2008-04-21  | 2008-12-11  | 2010-01-07  | 2010-07-06  | N/A
Netherlands | 2002-09-09  | 2004-04-30  | 2007-12-10  | 2009-01-29  | 2009-09-30  | 2012-02-27  | N/A
Poland | joined the EU later  | 2007-04-14  | 2009-02-06  | 2010-04-07  | 2012-01-13  | N/A
Portugal | 2003-07-14  | 2003-07-14  | 2008-07-11  | 2008-09-23  | 2009-06-29  | 2011-03-04  | N/A
Romania | joined the EU later  | 2009-01-15  | 2010-01-08  | 2012-05-22  | N/A
Slovakia | joined the EU later  | 2007-07-20  | 2008-07-29  | 2009-03-17  | 2010-11-11  | N/A
Slovenia | joined the EU later  | 2007-01-18  | 2008-02-07  | 2009-03-10  | 2010-12-07  | N/A
Spain | 2002-10-04  | 2002-10-04  | 2007-05-03  | 2009-03-12  | 2010-06-15  | 2010-06-21  | N/A
Sweden | 2002-06-25  | 2003-03-27  | 2007-03-21  | 2009-03-11  | 2009-09-14  | 2011-04-15  | N/A
United Kingdom | 2002-12-17  | 2004-09-03  | 2007-10-16  | 2010-01-12  | 2010-04-20  | 2011-08-11  | N/A
European Communities or
European Union and Euratom | 2004-02-25  | 2004-12-21  | 2009-02-26  | 2010-03-29  | 2015-04-30  | 2013-07-22  | 2016-02-24 [Note 5]
SAA entry into force | 2004-04-01  | 2005-02-01  | 2009-04-01  | 2010-05-01  | 2015-06-01  | 2013-09-01  | 2016-04-01[74]
EU membership (SAA lapsed) | (TBD)  | 2013-07-01  | (TBD)  | (TBD)  | (TBD)  | (TBD)  | (TBD)

N/A: Not applicable.

1. ^ Montenegro started negotiations in November 2005 while a part of Serbia and Montenegro. Separate technical negotiations were conducted regarding issues of sub-state organizational competency. A mandate for direct negotiations with Montenegro was established in July 2006. Direct negotiations were initiated on 26 September 2006 and concluded on 1 December 2006.[63]
2. ^ Serbia started negotiations in November 2005 while part of Serbia and Montenegro, with a modified mandate from July 2006.
3. ^ Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but is still claimed by Serbia as part of its territory. The European Union remains divided, with five EU member states not recognizing its independence. The EU launched a Stabilisation Tracking Mechanism for Kosovo] on 6 November 2002 with the aim of aligning its policy with EU standards. On 10 October 2012 the European Commission found that there were no legal obstacles to Kosovo signing a SAA with the EU, as independence is not required for such an agreement.[67]
4. ^ a b c No Interim Agreement associated with Kosovo's SAA was concluded.[71]
5. ^ Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently.[68][72][73]

## Visa liberalisation process

[edit]

On 1 January 2008 the visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Albania and the EU entered into force.[75] Albania received a road map from the EU for further visa liberalisation with Schengen countries in June 2008.[75]

Albania started issuing biometric passports on 24 May 2009, which were designed to comply with EU guidelines.[76][77] On 8 November 2010 the Council of the European Union approved visa-free travel to the Schengen Area for citizens of Albania.[33] The decision entered into force on 15 December 2010.[78]

## EU financial aid

[edit]

In 2011, the EU paid €6 million to construct or refurbish border crossing points and border police stations to help Albania fight organised crime and illegal trafficking.[79]

Until 2020, Albania had been receiving €1.2bn of developmental aid from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, a funding mechanism for EU candidate countries.

In 2024, the EU welcomed political agreement on the €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, overall amount of the Facility for the period 2024-2027 is €6 billion.[80] To finance the loan support, the European Union will raise €4 billion on the financial market until the end of 2027. The €2 billion of non-repayable support will be financed through additional resources from the Mid-Term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).[81] Albania is expected to receive €922 million until 2027.[82]

## Negotiation progress

[edit]

The screening process has been completed and 24 chapters have been opened thus far.

Screening and Chapter Dates  Progression | 33 / 33 | 100% complete

33 / 33 | 100% complete

24 / 33 | 72.7% complete

| |

|

0 / 33 | 0% complete

Acquis chapter[83] | Screening Started | Screening Completed | Chapter Opened | Chapter Closed
1\. Free Movement of Goods | 2023-01-30 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
2\. Freedom of Movement For Workers | 2023-01-30 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
3\. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | 2023-01-17 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
4\. Free Movement of Capital | 2022-10-07 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
5\. Public Procurement | 2022-09-15 | 2023-01-16 | 2024-10-15 | –
6\. Company Law | 2023-02-03 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
7\. Intellectual Property Law | 2023-01-17 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
8\. Competition Policy | 2023-01-17 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
9\. Financial Services | 2022-10-07 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
10\. Information Society & Media | 2023-03-27 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
11\. Agriculture & Rural Development | 2023-11-13 | 2023-11-24 | – | –
12\. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | 2023-11-20 | 2023-11-24 | – | –
13\. Fisheries | 2023-11-20 | 2023-11-24 | – | –
14\. Transport Policy | 2023-03-15 | 2023-09-29 | – | –
15\. Energy | 2023-03-15 | 2023-09-29 | – | –
16\. Taxation | 2023-03-31 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
17\. Economic & Monetary Policy | 2023-06-13 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
18\. Statistics | 2022-09-19 | 2023-01-16 | 2024-10-15 | –
19\. Social Policy & Employment | 2023-05-23 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
20\. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | 2023-05-26 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
21\. Trans-European Networks | 2023-03-15 | 2023-09-29 | – | –
22\. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | 2023-07-17 | 2023-10-25 | – | –
23\. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | 2022-09-27 | 2023-01-16 | 2024-10-15 | −
24\. Justice, Freedom & Security | 2022-09-27 | 2023-01-16 | 2024-10-15 | –
25\. Science & Research | 2023-04-28 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
26\. Education & Culture | 2023-04-27 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
27\. Environment & Climate Change | 2023-03-18 | 2023-09-29 | – | –
28\. Consumer & Health Protection | 2023-02-17 | 2023-03-09 | 2025-04-14 | –
29\. Customs Union | 2022-10-20 | 2023-06-15 | 2025-05-22 | –
30\. External Relations | 2023-11-16 | 2023-11-17 | 2024-12-17 | –
31\. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | 2023-11-16 | 2023-11-17 | 2024-12-17 | –
32\. Financial Control | 2022-12-09 | 2023-01-16 | 2024-10-15 | –
33\. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | 2023-07-17 | 2023-10-25 | – | –
34\. Institutions | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A
35\. Other Issues | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A
October 2024 European Commission Report  Acquis chapter | Status as of Oct 2024[84] | Chapter Status as of 2025

|
|

Overview | 1 chapter at an early stage
8 chapters with some level of preparation
17 chapters with moderate preparation
7 chapters with good level of preparation
2 chapters with nothing to adopt | 24 chapters open, 9 not yet opened.
1\. Free Movement of Goods | Moderately prepared† | Chapter open
2\. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Some level of preparation | Chapter open
3\. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
4\. Free Movement of Capital | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
5\. Public Procurement | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
6\. Company Law | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
7\. Intellectual Property Law | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
8\. Competition Policy | Moderately prepared† | Chapter open
9\. Financial Services | Good level of preparation†† | Chapter open
10\. Information Society & Media | Good level of preparation†† | Chapter open
11\. Agriculture & Rural Development | Some level of preparation | Chapter not yet opened
12\. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Some level of preparation | Chapter not yet opened
13\. Fisheries | Moderately prepared | Chapter not yet opened
14\. Transport Policy | Some level of preparation | Chapter not yet opened
15\. Energy | Good level of preparation†† | Chapter not yet opened
16\. Taxation | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
17\. Economic & Monetary Policy | Good level of preparation†† | Chapter open
18\. Statistics | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
19\. Social Policy & Employment | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
20\. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Good level of preparation†† | Chapter open
21\. Trans-European Networks | Some level of preparation | Chapter not yet opened
22\. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Moderately prepared | Chapter not yet opened
23\. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
24\. Justice, Freedom & Security | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
25\. Science & Research | Some level of preparation | Chapter open
26\. Education & Culture | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
27\. Environment & Climate Change | Some level of preparation | Chapter not yet opened
28\. Consumer & Health Protection | Early stage | Chapter open
29\. Customs Union | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
30\. External Relations | Good level of preparation | Chapter open
31\. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Good level of preparation | Chapter open
32\. Financial Control | Moderately prepared | Chapter open
33\. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Some level of preparation | Chapter not yet opened
34\. Institutions | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt
35\. Other Issues | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt

† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

†† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation".

Negotiation History Acquis chapter | EC Assessment in 2015[85] | EC Assessment in 2016[86] | EC Assessment in 2018[87] | EC Assessment in 2019[88] | EC Assessment in 2020[89] | EC Assessment in 2021[90] | EC Assessment in 2022[91] | EC Assessment in 2023[92] | EC Assessment in 2024[84]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1\. Free Movement of Goods | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared†
2\. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
3\. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
4\. Free Movement of Capital | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
5\. Public Procurement | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
6\. Company Law | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
7\. Intellectual Property Law | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
8\. Competition Policy | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared†
9\. Financial Services | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation†† | Good level of preparation††
10\. Information Society & Media | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation††
11\. Agriculture & Rural Development | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
12\. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
13\. Fisheries | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
14\. Transport Policy | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
15\. Energy | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation†† | Good level of preparation††
16\. Taxation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
17\. Economic & Monetary Policy | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation†† | Good level of preparation††
18\. Statistics | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
19\. Social Policy & Employment | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
20\. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation††
21\. Trans-European Networks | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
22\. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
23\. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared† | Moderately prepared
24\. Justice, Freedom & Security | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
25\. Science & Research | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
26\. Education & Culture | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
27\. Environment & Climate Change | Early stage | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
28\. Consumer & Health Protection | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage | Early stage
29\. Customs Union | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
30\. External Relations | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation
31\. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation | Good level of preparation
32\. Financial Control | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared | Moderately prepared
33\. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation | Some level of preparation
34\. Institutions | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt  | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt
35\. Other Issues | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt  | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt | Nothing to adopt
Legend:

† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "some level of preparation" AND "moderately prepared".

†† indicates chapters in which the European Commission has simultaneously awarded the chapter both "moderately prepared" AND "good level of preparation".

totally incompatible   early stage   considerable efforts needed   some level of preparation   further efforts needed   moderately prepared   no major difficulties expected   good level of preparation   well prepared / well advanced

Clusters of negotiating chapters  Clusters | Acquis Chapter | State of Play | Cluster Opened  | Cluster Closed

|
|
|
|

Overview | Overview | 24 out of 33 | 4 out of 6  | 0 out of 6
Fundamentals  | 23\. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | Opened | Opened | –
24\. Justice, Freedom & Security | Opened
Economic criteria  | –
Functioning of democratic institutions  | –
Public administration reform  | –
5\. Public Procurement | Opened
18\. Statistics | Opened
32\. Financial Control | Opened
Internal market  | 1\. Free Movement of Goods | Opened | Opened | –
2\. Freedom of Movement For Workers | Opened
3\. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | Opened
4\. Free Movement of Capital | Opened
6\. Company Law | Opened
7\. Intellectual Property Law | Opened
8\. Competition Policy | Opened
9\. Financial Services | Opened
28\. Consumer & Health Protection | Opened
Competitiveness

and inclusive growth

| 10\. Information Society & Media | Opened | Opened | –
16\. Taxation | Opened
17\. Economic & Monetary Policy | Opened
19\. Social Policy & Employment | Opened
20\. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | Opened
25\. Science & Research | Opened
26\. Education & Culture | Opened
29\. Customs Union | Opened
Green agenda

and sustainable connectivity

| 14\. Transport Policy | – | – | –
15\. Energy | –
21\. Trans-European Networks | –
27\. Environment | –
Resources, agriculture

and cohesion

| 11\. Agriculture & Rural Development | – | – | –
12\. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | –
13\. Fisheries | –
22\. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | –
33\. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | –
External relations  | 30\. External Relations | Opened | Opened | –
31\. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | Opened
| 34\. Institutions | – | – | –
35\. Other Issues | – | –  | –

## Public opinion

[edit]

Back in 2012, 86.5 percent of Albanians were in favour of a EU membership bid,[93] whilst in a 2021 poll it was found that as many as 97% of Albanians are in favour of EU accession.[94]

## Impact of joining

[edit]

Member countries  | Population  | Area (km2)  | GDP
(billion US$) (2024)  | GDP
per capita (US$)  | Languages

|
|
|
|
|

Albania | 2,402,113 [95] | 28,748  | 26.130 [96] | 10,878  | Albanian
EU27  | 449,206,579 [97] | 4,233,262  | 19,403 [98] | 43,194  | 24
EU27+1  | 451,608,692
(+0.53%) | 4,262,010
(+0.68%) | 19,429
(+0.135%) | 43,022
(–0.39%) | 25

## Albania's foreign relations with EU member states

[edit]

* Austria
* Belgium
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark

* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Ireland

* Italy
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Poland

* Portugal
* Romania
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden

|
|
|

## See also

[edit]

* Accession of Armenia to the European Union
* Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union
* Accession of Georgia to the European Union
* Accession of Kosovo to the European Union
* Accession of Moldova to the European Union
* Accession of Montenegro to the European Union
* Accession of North Macedonia to the European Union
* Accession of Serbia to the European Union
* Accession of Ukraine to the European Union
* Albania–NATO relations
* Delegation of European Union to Albania
* Enlargement of the European Union
* Future enlargement of the European Union
* Albania–Greece relations

## References

[edit]

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3. ^ "North Macedonia: Parliament approves deal to start EU bid". Deutsche Welle. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
4. ^ Casert, Raf (19 July 2022). "EU starts membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
5. ^ Tidey, Alice (15 October 2024). "Albania aims to be EU member by 2030, PM Rama says after 'historic' talks". Euronews. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
6. ^ "Macron urges regional investment as Albania nears EU goal". Arab News. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
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9. ^ a b "Albania's Berisha delivers questionnaire responses to Brussels". 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
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27. ^ a b "5th Accession Conference with Albania, 22 May 2025". Consilium. Retrieved 22 May 2025.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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31. ^ MEMO/10/553 |- |November 2010 || The European Council releases its first response to the Opinion on Albania; Enlargement Strategy and Progress Report 2010 Archived 20 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine; [1] Archived 11 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Balkan Insight
32. ^ "European Commission proposes visa free travel for Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina". 27 May 2010. Archived from the original on 1 June 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
33. ^ a b "Visa liberalisation for Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina" (PDF). Council of the European Union. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
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38. ^ "Albania might be EU candidate by December - World Bulletin". Worldbulletin.net. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
39. ^ "EU enlargement: priorities for 2014". European Commission. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
40. ^ "Serbia Expected To Get EU Membership Boost; Delay For Albania". 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
41. ^ "Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process" (PDF). Council of the European Union. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
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44. ^ "European Council 26/27 June 2014 - Conclusions" (PDF). European Council. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
45. ^ "Agenda 2014" (PDF). mfa.gr. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
46. ^ "Greece's EU Presidency and the Challenge of Western Balkan Enlargement Policies in Light of the Crisis" (PDF). suedosteuropa.uni. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
47. ^ "5 priorities for negotiations, Fleckenstein defends report in EP, "Reforms in Albania are ambitious"". Top Channel. 25 February 2015.
48. ^ a b "Start of accession talks, Tirana demands a date, Brussels is silent". Independent Balkan News Agency. 24 March 2015.
49. ^ "2014 progress report on Albania - 2014/2951(RSP)". European Parliament. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015.
50. ^ "European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2015 on the 2014 Progress Report on Albania (2014/2951(RSP))". European Parliament. 30 April 2015.
51. ^ "Communication From The Commission to The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic and Social Committee and The Committee of the Regions" (PDF). Europa (web portal). 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
52. ^ "Germany decides to vote against the launch of negotiations between the EU and Albania". Balkaneu.com. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
53. ^ "Foreign affairs MEPs assess reform efforts in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina". European Parliament. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017. "Albania needs to implement EU-related reforms credibly, and ensure that its June parliamentary elections are free and fair, if it is to start EU accession negotiations"
54. ^ "Τσίπρας σε Αλβανία: "Σεβαστείτε τα μειονοτικά δικαιώματα, αν θέλετε ένταξη στην ΕΕ"". Newpost.gr. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
55. ^ Establishing agreement between the Bundestag and the Federal Government on the application of the Republic of Albania for accession to the European Union and on the recommendation made by the European Commission and the High Representative on 29 May 2019 that accession negotiations be opened (PDF) (Report). German Bundestag, 19th electoral term. 26 September 2019.
56. ^ RFE/RL's Balkan Service (24 March 2020). "After Years of Delay, North Macedonia, Albania Get OK To Begin EU Accession Talks". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
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58. ^ Restelica, Bleona (26 September 2024). "EU Separates Albania's Accession Path From North Macedonia". SchengenNews. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
59. ^ "SAA Agreement with Macedonia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
60. ^ "SAA Agreement with Croatia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
61. ^ "SAA Agreement with Albania". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
62. ^ "SAA Agreement with Montenegro". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
63. ^ "EU, Montenegro complete negotiations on pre-membership deal to bring country closer to bloc". International Herald Tribune. The Associated Press. 1 December 2006. Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
64. ^ "SAA Agreement with Bosnia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
65. ^ "SAA Agreement with Serbia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
66. ^ "SAA Agreement with Kosovo*". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
67. ^ "Feasibility Study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo*" (PDF). European Commission. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
68. ^ a b "EU starts the Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations with Kosovo". European Commission. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
69. ^ "Stabilization and Association Agreement is initialled". Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Kosovo. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
70. ^ "Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo signed". European Commission. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
71. ^ "Kosovo to negotiate on Stabilisation and Association Agreement". 27 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
72. ^ "Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations successfully completed". European External Action Service. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
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74. ^ "Information relating to the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo (*), of the other part". EUR-Lex. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
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## Further reading

[edit]

* Albania and the European Union: the tumultuous journey towards integration ... By Mirela Bogdani, John Loughlin, 2007
* Delegation of the European Union to Albania
* European Commission - Enlargement: Country Profile.
* Albanian Ministry of European Integration
* Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* European Commission - Western Balkans: Enhancing the European perspective
* European Commission - Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2009-2010

* v
* t
* e

Foreign relations of the European Union

Bilateral relations

See also: Economic relationships with third countries

Africa|

* Algeria
* Cape Verde
* Egypt
* Libya
* Morocco
* South Africa
* Sudan
* Tunisia

Americas|

* Argentina
* trade
* Brazil
* Canada
* Colombia
* Cuba
* Greenland
* Mexico
* Peru
* United States
* Uruguay

Asia|

* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* China
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Lebanon
* Malaysia
* Nepal
* North Korea
* Pakistan
* Palestine†
* Philippines
* South Korea
* Syria
* Taiwan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

Europe|

| Internal|

* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Poland
* Slovenia

|

External|

* Albania
* Andorra
* Armenia
* Accession negotiations
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Faroe Islands
* Georgia
* Accession negotiations
* Iceland
* Kosovo†
* Liechtenstein
* Moldova
* Accession negotiations
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* North Macedonia
* Northern Cyprus†
* Norway
* Russia
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Sovereign Military Order of Malta
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Accession negotiations
* Ukraine
* Accession negotiations
* United Kingdom
* Vatican City

Oceania|

* Australia
* Micronesia
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea

Former|

* Yugoslavia

General|

* Overseas territories of member states
* European microstates
* Largest trading partners
* Association Agreements
* Free trade agreements
* European Union Sanctions

* †= Disputed state, may not be recognised as an independent state by some or all European Union members.

Multilateral relations and initiatives

| Organisations|

* Arab League
* ASEAN
* Council of Europe
* ECHR
* G7
* ICC
* IOC
* Mercosur
* NATO
* UN

|

Initiatives|

* African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
* Asia–Europe Meeting
* CARIFORUM
* Customs Union
* Eastern Partnership
* Energy Community
* Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly
* European Common Aviation Area
* European Economic Area
* Euro-Mediterranean free trade area
* Euro-Mediterranean Partnership
* Euronest
* Economic Partnership Agreements
* EU CBRN Risk Mitigation CoE Initiative
* Neighbourhood Policy
* Northern Dimension
* Mediterranean Union
* Stabilisation and Association Process

Administration and policies

| Foreign and Security Policy|

* Global Strategy
* Neighbourhood Policy
* Enlargement
* Security and Defence Policy

|

Administration|

* Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department
* Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development
* External Action Service
* Foreign Affairs Council
* High Representative Josep Borrell
* Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee
* Foreign Policy Instruments Service
* Diplomatic missions of the EU (ambassadors) / to the EU
* Special Representatives

Funding|

* Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
* Global Europe

* v
* t
* e

Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union

Leadership|

* High Representative
* Director General of the Military Staff/Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability
* Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability
* Chairman of the Military Committee
* European Council
* Foreign Affairs Council

Structure|

| External Action Service|

* Command structure on the civilian/military strategic and operational levels (Military Planning and Conduct Capability within the Military Staff, Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability, Joint Support Coordination Cell)
* Intelligence and Situation Centre (Club de Berne)
* Crisis Management and Planning Directorate
* Security & Defence College

|

Agencies|

* Defence Agency
* Institute for Security Studies
* Satellite Centre

Council preparatory bodies|

* Committee of Permanent Representatives
* Political and Security Committee
* Politico-Military Group
* Military Committee
* Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management

European Commission bodies|

* Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space

Funding|

* Defence Fund

Policies|

* Security Strategy
* Everything but Arms
* Annual Review

Equipment|

* Galileo navigation system
* Secure Software-defined Radio (PESCO)

Decorations|

* Service medal
* Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service
* Monitor mission medal

Related|

* Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
* Headline Goal 2010
* Military Erasmus
* Military Mobility (PESCO)
* Intelligence School (PESCO)
* Kortenberg building
* NATO relations (Berlin Plus agreement, Joint Declaration)

* v
* t
* e

Foreign relations of Albania

Bilateral relations

| Africa|

* Egypt
* Libya
* Sudan

|

Americas|

* Brazil
* Canada
* Mexico
* Peru
* United States

Asia|

* Azerbaijan
* China
* India
* Iran
* Israel
* Japan
* North Korea
* Palestine
* Turkey

Europe|

* Austria
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Hungary
* Ireland
* Italy
* Kosovo
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Malta
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* North Macedonia
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Vatican City

Oceania|

Australia

Former|

* Soviet Union
* Yugoslavia

Multilateral relations

* European Union (EU)
* North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
* Open Balkan
* United Nations (UN)

Diplomacy

* Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Diplomatic missions of Albania / in Albania

* v
* t
* e

Enlargement and partners of the European Union

Previous enlargements|

* 1973 (Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom)
* 1981 (Greece)
* 1986 (Portugal, Spain)
* 1995 (Austria, Finland, Sweden)
* 2004 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia)
* 2007 (Bulgaria, Romania)
* 2013 (Croatia)
* Statistics

Candidates|

| Negotiating|

| Screened|

* Albania
* status
* Montenegro
* status
* Moldova
* status
* relations
* North Macedonia
* status
* Serbia
* status
* Ukraine
* status
* relations

|

Pre-negotiations|

* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* status
* Georgia
* status
* relations

Suspended negotiations|

* Turkey
* status
* relations

Potential candidates|

* Kosovo
* status

Partnerships|

| Eastern Partnership|

* Armenia
* status
* relations
* Azerbaijan
* relations
* Belarus (suspended)
* relations

|

Northern Dimension|

* Iceland
* relations
* Norway
* relations
* Russia
* relations

Customs union|

* Andorra
* relations
* Monaco
* relations
* San Marino
* relations

Free trade agreements|

* Liechtenstein
* relations
*  Switzerland
* relations
* United Kingdom
* relations
* Trade and Cooperation Agreement

Other geographically
European countries|

* Kazakhstan
* relations
* Vatican City
* relations

* Current membership
* Criteria
* Withdrawal
* Brexit

* v
* t
* e

Berlin Process

Conferences|

* 2014 Berlin
* 2015 Vienna
* 2016 Paris
* 2017 Trieste
* 2018 London
* 2019 Poznań
* 2020 Sofia
* 2021 Berlin
* 2022 Berlin
* 2023 Tirana

Bodies|

* Southeast Europe Transport Community

Non-member states|

| Screened candidates|

* Albania
* Montenegro
* North Macedonia
* Serbia

|

Unscreened candidates|

* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Ukraine
* Georgia
* Moldova

Unscreened potential candidates

* Kosovo

Member states|

| European Union partner states|

* Austria
* France
* Germany
* Italy

|

Other European Union states involved|

* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Poland
* Slovenia

See Also: Future enlargement of the European Union

* v
* t
* e

Albania articles

History|

| Illyrians|

* Ardiaei
* Albanoi
* Amantes
* Amantini
* Balaites
* Bylliones
* Dassaretii
* Enchele
* Labeatae
* Parthini
* Taulantii

|

Middle Ages
(1190–1385)

* Principality of Arbanon
* Kingdom of Albania
* Despotate of Arta
* House of Kastrioti

Ottoman period
(1385–1912)

* Skanderbeg's rebellion
* League of Lezhë
* Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini
* Arbëni Council
* Islamization of Albania
* Albanian Pashaliks
* Massacre of the Albanian Beys
* Revolts of 1833–1839
* Uprising of Dervish Cara
* Albanian National Awakening
* League of Prizren
* Congress of Manastir
* Revolt of 1910
* Malissori uprising
* Taksim meeting
* Revolt of 1912
* Kimza Government

Independence
(1912–present)

* Declaration of Independence
* Anthem
* Provisional Government of Albania
* Albania during the Balkan Wars
* Republic of Central Albania
* Principality of Albania (1914–25)
* World War I in Albania
* Autonomous Province of Korçë
* Italian protectorate
* Vlora War
* Republic of Mirdita
* Albanian Republic (1925–1928)
* Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939)
* Union with Italian kingdom
* Italian invasion of Albania
* German Nazi occupation
* The Holocaust in Albania
* Albanian resistance during World War II
* Communist Albania (1946–91)
* Orthography Congress (1972)
* Post-Communist Albania
* 1997 Civil Unrest
* NATO membership
* EU Accession

See also|

* Origins
* Timeline
* Archives

Geography|

| Landscape|

* Mountains
* Rivers
* Lakes
* Islands

|

Environment|

* Climate
* Biodiversity
* Habitat
* Protected areas

Politics|

| Executive|

* Government (agencies)
* Head of state (list)
* Prime Minister
* Foreign relations
* Political parties
* Treaties
* Visa policy

|

Judiciary|

| Vetting Institutions|

* KPA
* IKP
* ONM
* KPK

|

* Constitution
* Corruption
* EURALIUS
* SPAK
* Prosecutor General

Subdivisions|

* NUTS
* Counties
* Municipalities
* Cities and towns
* Communes
* Villages
* Maps

Legislature|

* Elections
* Assembly (speakers)
* Members
* Opposition

Human rights|

* Abortion
* Capital punishment
* Assassinations
* LGBT
* Ombudsman

Security|

* Military
* Police
* Organized crime
* Prisons
* Border crossings

Economy|

| Finance|

* Banking
* Lek (currency)
* Taxation
* Trade unions
* State Supreme Audit

|

Retail|

* Shopping centers
* Supermarkets

Industry|

* Agriculture
* Healthcare
* Companies

Energy|

| Operators|

* KESH
* OST
* OSHEE
* ERE

|

* Hydropower plants

Natural resources|

* Oil and gas
* Mining

Infrastructure|

* Highways
* Aviation
* Ports
* Railways
* Bridges
* Tunnels
* Highrises (structures)
* Telecommunications
* Posta Shqiptare
* Squatting

Tourism|

| Monuments|

* Archaeological sites
* Castles
* Mosques
* Tekkes
* Churches
* Lighthouses

|

* Adriatic Sea Coast
* Ionian Sea Coast (riviera)
* Beaches
* Images of Albania

Society|

| People|

* Demographics
* Census
* Tribes
* Noble families
* Diaspora
* Women

|

Culture|

| Art (galleries)|

* Architecture
* Photography
* Museums
* Theatres

|

Education|

* Alphabet
* scripts
* Abetare
* Language
* Literature
* Research institutes
* Libraries
* Universities
* Publishers
* Proverbs
* Albanology

Tradition|

* Folk beliefs
* Besa
* Oda
* Secularism
* Religion
* Nevruz
* Sworn virgins

Costumes|

* Qeleshe
* Fustanella
* Xhubleta
* Brez
* Opinga
* Xhamadan

Cuisine|

* Gjellë
* Tavë kosi
* Kabuni
* Raki
* Beer
* Wine
* Cognac Skënderbeu

Sports|

| Football|

* National team
* Clubs
* Players
* Stadiums

|

Other sports|

* Weightlifting
* Athletics
* Cycling
* Basketball
* Volleyball
* Swimming
* Olympics
* Indoor arenas

Entertainment|

* Music
* Television
* Radio
* Cinema

Symbols|

* Heraldry
* Flag (list)
* Coat of arms (armorial)
* Epitaph of Gllavenica
* Sign language
* Orders, decorations and medals
* Passport
* .al

Other|

* Public holidays
* Smoking
* Copyright law

* Outline
* Index
* Bibliography

* Category

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