Albania for 2025, prepared by the EP Foreign Affairs Committee. In the document provided for BalkanWeb by journalist Ergys Gjenccaj, the progress achieved in the European integration process is assessed.

The draft resolution clearly emphasizes that the path towards concluding negotiations by the end of 2027 will depend on the real and sustainable implementation of key reforms.
According to the draft, the priorities remain: strengthening the rule of law;
the fight against corruption and organized crime;
guaranteeing the full functioning of democratic institutions;
protection of media freedom;
acceleration of socio-economic reforms.

The document underlines that formal progress in the technical negotiation process must be accompanied by concrete results in practice, so that Albania can advance towards full membership in the European Union. The draft report is expected to be discussed and voted on in the relevant structures of the European Parliament in the coming months.

Draft resolution on Albania

1-Welcomes Albania's extraordinary commitment to European integration, based on the consensus of all political forces and the overwhelming support of citizens, and appreciates the fact that Albania opened all negotiation chapters within just 13 months;

2-Welcomes Albania's ambition to conclude membership negotiations by the end of 2027 and the rapid progress achieved in recent years; stresses the need to ensure full and thorough implementation of the legislation;

3- Notes that the Commission assesses Albania's electoral framework as generally suitable for the holding of competitive elections, while reiterating concerns regarding the lack of a level playing field, misuse of administrative resources, allegations of vote-buying and pressure on voters; therefore calls on both the majority and the opposition to pursue a comprehensive electoral reform in a constructive and inclusive manner, in close cooperation with civil society, and to fully implement the outstanding OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations well in advance of the next electoral cycles;

4-Expresses concern about the ongoing political polarization and confrontational political discourse, which undermine parliamentary oversight, public trust and the effective functioning of democratic institutions;

5- Encourages the strengthening of parliamentary control over the executive, increased transparency in legislative procedures, and more meaningful consultation with civil society organizations, social partners, and independent institutions.

The rule of law, the judiciary and the fight against corruption

6- Welcomes the continued implementation of the judicial reform process, including the vetting process of judges and prosecutors, which has contributed to increasing accountability and integrity within the judicial system; however, notes the ongoing challenges related to the efficiency of the judiciary, the high backlog of cases, the consistency of judicial practice and attempts to exert undue influence;

7- Calls for the further strengthening of the governing bodies of the judicial system, guaranteeing their independence, transparency and professional capacity, as well as for sustainable investments in court infrastructure and the digitalization of the system;

8- Stresses that corruption remains a serious concern and that, despite progress in the legal and institutional framework, Albania needs to further consolidate concrete results in investigations, prosecutions and final decisions, especially in cases of high-level corruption;

9-Insists that corruption must be addressed at all levels, in order to strengthen citizens' trust in state institutions and create a predictable business environment;

10-Underlines the importance of the effective fight against organized crime, including money laundering and drug trafficking networks, and calls for the intensification of cooperation with EU agencies such as Europol and Eurojust;

Fundamental rights and media freedom

11- Calls for further efforts to protect freedom of expression and media pluralism, including increasing transparency on potential conflicts of interest of media owners, ensuring protection against political and economic pressure on journalists, and effectively investigating threats and attacks on media professionals;

12- Encourages Albania to strengthen the institutional framework for the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, including the Roma and Egyptian communities, persons with disabilities, migrant workers and LGBTIQ+ persons, and to ensure the effective implementation of anti-discrimination legislation; expresses concern about the anti-gender equality rhetoric present in political discourse;

13-Underlines the need to improve access to justice, especially for vulnerable and marginalized groups.

– Public administration reform and governance

14-Recognises the progress achieved in public administration reform, including strategic planning and coordination; stresses, however, that further efforts are needed to ensure merit-based recruitment and the depoliticisation of the civil service;

15-Calls for improved policy planning, evidence-based decision-making and transparent budgetary processes, including strengthening parliamentary oversight over public finances;

Socio-economic reforms and the environment

16-Welcomes Albania's commitment to implementing the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans; notes, however, that structural weaknesses persist, including informality, limited productivity growth and a challenging business environment; reiterates the importance of improving transport infrastructure between the Western Balkan countries and developing links with EU Member States;

17-Underlines the importance of investing in education, skills development and innovation to support sustainable growth and social cohesion;

18- Stresses the key importance of a genuine social dialogue to ensure that the benefits of enlargement are shared among different segments of the population; regrets the low frequency of meetings of the National Labour Council; calls for the strengthening of the tripartite consultation process, including adequate representation of trade unions; stresses the need to further support the capacity-building of social partners;

19- Notes with concern the Commission's assessment that there has been no progress in the field of environment and climate change over the past year.

Foreign policy and regional cooperation

20-Congratulates Albania on its continued and full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including the implementation of restrictive measures, its continued engagement in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, as well as its constructive role in promoting regional stability;

21-Underlines the importance of good neighborly relations and regional cooperation as essential components of the enlargement process and welcomes Albania's active participation in regional initiatives.