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| Prime Minister Rama with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi |
Today marks a significant milestone for Albania as it officially begins concrete negotiations for EU membership, starting with discussions on the first group of chapters, known as the "Fundamentals." This historic moment was formalized during the Second Intergovernmental Conference, held in Luxembourg, which launched the country's accession process to the European Union.
The "Fundamentals" Chapters – The Core of the Accession Process
The first group of chapters, referred to as the "Fundamentals," covers the most important and complex issues in the accession negotiations. These chapters address critical topics such as the judiciary, fundamental rights, justice and security, public procurement, statistics, and financial control. This group is the first to be opened and the last to be closed, playing a crucial role in setting the standards Albania must meet to become an EU member.
Reactions from European and Albanian Leaders
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama described this day as "a moment of historic significance" for the country. He emphasized the importance of this step not only for Albania but also for the European Union, noting that the EU has awakened after Russia's aggression in Ukraine, underscoring the need for deeper European integration.
"This opening of the fundamental chapters represents a great achievement for both sides," said Rama, adding that Albania aims to fulfill the obligations arising from these negotiations without delay and hopes to complete the accession process within the next six years.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, hailed the moment as "historic" and expressed hope that additional chapters, particularly in the area of foreign relations, could be opened within the year. He stressed that Albania is practically ready for EU membership and urged for the continuation of swift progress in the process.
Albania’s Long Road to EU Membership
Albania’s path to EU membership has been long and challenging. In 2018, the European Commission recommended opening negotiations with Albania, and in March 2020, the European Council approved this recommendation. However, it took another two years to hold the first Intergovernmental Conference, which took place in 2022. Today, after two more years of preparation and waiting, Albania has officially entered the membership process, with the opening of discussions on the first set of chapters.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi described the opening of negotiations as "an important decision" that paves the way for substantive talks on the conditions for Albania’s EU membership. Varhelyi emphasized that this is now the time to negotiate the criteria Albania must meet to become an EU member.
Hopes for Opening More Chapters
Minister Szijjártó expressed optimism about the further progress of the accession process, noting that Hungary’s presidency aims to open additional important chapters during its term. He criticized some EU member states for holding double standards, stating that he hopes the process will proceed fairly and transparently.
Conclusion
The launch of formal membership talks represents a major turning point for Albania and another step toward realizing the country’s long-standing aspiration to join the European family. While the road ahead remains long and challenging, the hope that Albania could become an EU member within the next six years is strong, marking a new era of cooperation and integration with the European continent.