Dhuka: We are moving into the phase of closing chapters, the work extends to 157 institutions
Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka stated today that Albania is on the right path towards the European family to complete the conditions and criteria for membership by the end of 2027.
At the meeting, which was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, ministers and deputy ministers of the Government, Dhuka said that "Albania is moving with confident and consistent steps, without any interruption, on the path towards the European family, both in terms of technical preparation and in terms of the political will of the government and all institutions' reforms."
"Albania has received EU support from both the European Commission and the member states. However, much work remains to be done by 2027, but also beyond, by the end of the decade, when we aspire to have fulfilled the criteria to be a member of the European family," the minister said.
According to Dhuka, last year, Albania opened negotiations for all groupings of chapters, at a systematic pace, one grouping every 2-3 months, while he said that this pace is important to maintain for the purpose that our country has.
"The interim conditions are specific requirements for reforms and achievements, especially in relation to security and order, the fight against crime and organized crime, justice and human rights. All ministers and negotiators largely fulfilled all the requirements and Albania closed this phase in January of this year. Albania also received a positive assessment from the European Commission in February of this year and during March, member states are discussing every week regarding Albania's fulfillment of the conditions for order, security and human rights. We await with confidence and patience the assessment of member states in the coming weeks", she stressed.
The Minister said that "upon receiving a positive assessment from member states, Albania should move on to the next phase, that of closing chapters one by one, a total of 33 chapters."
"We have started work on the conditions for closing the chapters. With the opening of accession negotiations, the EU has given Albania the conditions for closing negotiations for 31 out of 33 chapters. Regarding the two chapters, which are law and justice, they will be given to Albania after the approval of the interim report, which is in process," she continued.
"In parallel, during 2025 we have been working to meet the conditions for the closure of negotiations. Albania is proactive and acts in advance for technical preparation, and this is the reason why all the results of the reforms are being realized on time, because work is being done on many fronts and in many institutions simultaneously," Dhuka affirmed.
Dhuka said that "the work is complex, not complicated, with the exception of some cases that are such by nature."
"The work extends to 157 institutions at two levels: Albania and the EU. Of particular importance is building acceptance of each reform both from interest groups and the public, as well as from the implementing institutions, the Parliament and the European Commission. Albania has fulfilled 24 intermediate conditions, otherwise 92 critical gaps. So far, Albania has received 101 conditions for the closure of negotiations after fulfilling 24 intermediate conditions," said Dhuka.
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