Accession_of_Albania_to_the_European_Union

Accession of Albania to the European Union

Accession of Albania to the European Union

Ongoing accession process of Albania to the EU

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]

Quick Facts European Union, Status ...

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] 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

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.[5] 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.[6] On 5 December 2013, an MEP meeting recommended to the council to grant Albania candidate status.[7] 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.[8] In June 2018 the European Council agreed on a pathway to starting accession talks with Albania by the end of 2019.[9][10]

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.[11][12]

In May 2019, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn reiterated this recommendation.[13] 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.[14] The decision was vetoed again in October.[15] 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.[16][17]

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".[18]

More information Date, Event ...
More information Event, North Macedonia ...

Visa liberalisation process

On 1 January 2008 the visa facilitation and readmission agreements between Albania and the EU entered into force.[63] Albania received a road map from the EU for further visa liberalisation with Schengen countries in June 2008.[63]

Albania started issuing biometric passports on 24 May 2009, which were designed to comply with EU guidelines.[64][65] On 8 November 2010 the Council of the European Union approved visa-free travel to the EU for citizens of Albania.[22] The decision entered into force on 15 December 2010.[66]

EU financial aid

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.[67]

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.

Negotiation progress

The screening process has been completed though no chapters have been opened thus far.

More information Progression, 33 / 33 100% complete ...
More information Acquis chapter, Status as of Nov 2023 ...

† 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

More information Acquis chapter, EC Assessment in 2015 ...
More information Clusters, Acquis Chapter ...

Public opinion

A 2021 poll found that as many as 97% of Albanians are in favour of EU accession.[76]

Impact of joining

More information Member countries, Population ...

Albania's foreign relations with EU member states

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "EU Leaders Give Final OK To Begin North Macedonia, Albania Membership Talks". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 27 March 2020.
  2. [2]
    Dimitrievska, Valentina (23 June 2022). "Albania and North Macedonia remain stuck in EU accession process". bne IntelliNews. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  3. [3]
    "North Macedonia: Parliament approves deal to start EU bid". Deutsche Welle. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  4. [4]
    Casert, Raf (19 July 2022). "EU starts membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Ministers give nod to Albania's EU application". EUobserver. 17 November 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  6. [6]
    "Albania's Berisha delivers questionnaire responses to Brussels". 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  7. [7]
    "ViEU integration: progress reports for Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Iceland". European Parliament. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  8. [8]
    "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.
  9. [9]
    "European Council conclusions, 28 June 2018". European Council. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  10. [10]
    "Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process - Council conclusions" (PDF). European Council. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  11. [11]
    "Tsipras to Rama: Albania's EU accession depends on the respect of the Greek minority (original: Τσίπρας σε Ράμα: Η ένταξη της Αλβανίας στην ΕΕ περνά από τον σεβασμό της ελληνικής μειονότητας)". CNN. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  12. [12]
    "Berlin warns Tirana: Forget ambitions for "Greater Albania" (original: Προειδοποίηση Βερολίνου σε Τίρανα: Ξεχάστε τις φιλοδοξίες για "Μεγάλη Αλβανία"". Skai. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  13. [13]
    "EC: Albania and North Macedonia to open the negotiations". European Western Balkans. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  14. [14]
    "Divided Europe deals major blow to North Macedonia's EU accession hopes". Euraciv. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  15. [15]
    "EU blocks Albania and North Macedonia membership bids". BBC News. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  16. [16]
    "Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process - the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania - Council conclusions". Council of the European Union. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  17. [17]
    "Joint statement of the Members of the European Council" (PDF). European Council. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  18. [18]
    "Live: 2023 State of Union address by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen | DW News". YouTube.
  19. [19]
    "Albania - EU-Albania relations". European Commission. Archived from the original on 26 June 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  20. [20]
    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; Archived 11 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine; Balkan Insight
  21. [21]
    "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.
  22. [22]
    "Visa liberalisation for Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina" (PDF). Council of the European Union. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  23. [23]
    "FOCUS Information Agency". FOCUS Information Agency. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  24. [24]
    "Albanian lawmakers vote to curtail their constitutional immunity from prosecution". The Gazette (Montreal). 18 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.[permanent dead link]
  25. [25]
    "Albania Receives EU Candidate Status, With Conditions". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  26. [26]
    Commission, The European. "Key findings of the 2012 Progress Report on Albania" (PDF). Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  27. [27]
    "Albania might be EU candidate by December - World Bulletin". Worldbulletin.net. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  28. [28]
    "EU enlargement: priorities for 2014". European Commission. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  29. [29]
    "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.
  30. [30]
    "Council conclusions on Enlargement and Stabilisation and Association Process" (PDF). Council of the European Union. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  31. [31]
    "EU candidate status for Albania". European Commission. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  32. [32]
    "EU candidate status for Albania". European Union Delegation to Albania. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  33. [33]
    "European Council 26/27 June 2014 - Conclusions" (PDF). European Council. 27 June 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  34. [34]
    "Agenda 2014" (PDF). mfa.gr. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  35. [35]
    "Greece's EU Presidency and the Challenge of Western Balkan Enlargement Policies in Light of the Crisis" (PDF). suedosteuropa.uni. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  36. [36]
    "5 priorities for negotiations, Fleckenstein defends report in EP, "Reforms in Albania are ambitious"". Top Channel. 25 February 2015.
  37. [37]
    "Start of accession talks, Tirana demands a date, Brussels is silent". Independent Balkan News Agency. 24 March 2015.
  38. [38]
    "2014 progress report on Albania - 2014/2951(RSP)". European Parliament. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015.
  39. [39]
    "European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2015 on the 2014 Progress Report on Albania (2014/2951(RSP))". European Parliament. 30 April 2015.
  40. [40]
    "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.
  41. [41]
    "Germany decides to vote against the launch of negotiations between the EU and Albania". Balkaneu.com. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  42. [42]
    "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
  43. [43]
    "Τσίπρας σε Αλβανία: "Σεβαστείτε τα μειονοτικά δικαιώματα, αν θέλετε ένταξη στην ΕΕ"". Newpost.gr. 22 December 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  44. [44]
    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.
  45. [45]
    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.
  46. [46]
    European Commission (19 July 2022). "Albania Membership Status - European Commission". European Commission.
  47. [47]
    "SAA Agreement with Macedonia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  48. [48]
    "SAA Agreement with Croatia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  49. [49]
    "SAA Agreement with Albania". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  50. [50]
    "SAA Agreement with Montenegro". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  51. [51]
    "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.
  52. [52]
    "SAA Agreement with Bosnia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  53. [53]
    "SAA Agreement with Serbia". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  54. [54]
    "SAA Agreement with Kosovo*". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  55. [55]
    "Feasibility Study for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo*" (PDF). European Commission. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  56. [56]
    "EU starts the Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations with Kosovo". European Commission. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  57. [57]
    "Stabilization and Association Agreement is initialled". Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Kosovo. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  58. [58]
    "Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo signed". European Commission. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  59. [59]
    "Kosovo to negotiate on Stabilisation and Association Agreement". 27 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  60. [60]
    "Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiations successfully completed". European External Action Service. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  61. [61]
    "Kosovo Launches Crucial SAA Talks With EU". Balkan Insight. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  62. [62]
    "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.
  63. [63]
    "Albania - EU-Albania relations". European Commission. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  64. [64]
    Procedures to obtain the passport Archived 15 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine (alb)
  65. [65]
    "Modernization project helps improve public services in Albania". osce.org.
  66. [66]
    "Regulation (EU) no. 1091/2010 in the Official Journal". Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  67. [67]
    "EU assistance of €6 million has enabled the construction of 10 border crossing points and the refurbishment of 17 border police stations in Albania (22/07/2011)". Archived from the original on 26 June 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  68. [68]
    "Albania - European Commission". neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  69. [69]
    Albania 2023 Report (PDF) (Report). European Commission. 8 November 2023.
  70. [70]
    "Commission Staff Working Document: Albania 2015 Report" (PDF). European Commission. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  71. [71]
    "Commission Staff Working Document: Albania 2016 Report". Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  72. [72]
    "Commission Staff Working Document: Albania 2019 Report" (PDF). Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  73. [73]
    "Commission Staff Working Document: Albania 2020 Report" (PDF). Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  74. [74]
    "Commission Staff Working Document: Albania 2021 Report" (PDF). Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  75. [75]
    "Commission Staff Working Document: Albania 2022 Report" (PDF). Eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  76. [76]
    "European Parliament - 2021 Report on Albania" (PDF). European Parliament. May 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.

Further reading
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Accession_of_Albania_to_the_European_Union, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.