EU confirms accelerated pace of Albania's accession: Negotiations open for Group 3 chapters!
The Council of the European Union yesterday adopted the EU common position on the opening of accession negotiations with Albania on 8 new chapters of Cluster 3: Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, marking another important and historic step forward in Albania's negotiations for accession to the European Union. The Fifth Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union and Albania will be held on 22 May 2025, in Brussels.
This grouping represents inclusive growth for prosperity and includes eight areas or chapters: Chapter 10 (Digital Transformation and Media), Chapter 16 (Taxation), Chapter 17 (Economic and Monetary Policy), Chapter 19 (Social Policy and Employment), Chapter 20 (Enterprise and Industrial Policy), Chapter 25 (Science and Research), Chapter 26 (Education and Culture), Chapter 29 (Customs Union). Progress in these areas is essential to guarantee Albania's fiscal stability, industrial modernization, increased innovation, improved working conditions and participation in European initiatives in scientific research, education and digitalization.
With this decision, negotiations have been opened so far for a total of 27 areas (chapters and criteria) in just eight months, following the successful opening of Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) on 15 October 2024, Cluster 6 (External Relations) on 17 December 2024, and Cluster 2 (Internal Market) on 14 April 2025. This accelerated pace of opening negotiations reflects both Albania's commitment to reforms and the EU's renewed emphasis on enlargement as a strategic priority.
The successful conclusion of these negotiations is expected to bring tangible improvements to the lives of Albanian citizens, such as simpler and more transparent public services, fairer tax policies geared towards becoming part of the EU single market, stronger protections for workers and more secure jobs. This creates opportunities for Albanian businesses to grow and prepare to compete for more opportunities in European markets, and at the same time increases Albania's growth rates by transforming this growth into more prosperity and better living conditions, while giving young people greater access to EU education, scholarships, research opportunities and training programmes.
This decision brings Albania closer to realizing the Albania 2030 vision, where the benefits and results of EU integration can be directly applied in everyday life, with better services, more welfare opportunities and a stronger and more stable country for all our citizens. This decision also underlines the EU's commitment to a merit-based enlargement process that rewards reforms and proven progress.
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