Could you provide your assessment of the current state of accession negotiations with Albania and outline the primary obstacles that remain to be overcome?
Accession negotiations with Albania were formally launched in 2022, beginning with the Commission’s screening exercises of the acquis communautaire and bilateral dialogue sessions, where the country outlined its plans for progressive alignment with EU regulations. The pace of these negotiations gathered significant momentum from October 2024, following the opening of the "Fundamentals" Cluster. This cluster focuses on the rule of law, the functioning of democratic processes, fundamental rights, and other essential—and therefore sensitive—elements, including economic criteria and public procurement standards. Progress in these areas largely dictates the overall trajectory of the negotiations. Consequently, the primary challenge for Albania at this stage is to maintain a sustained and convincing reform momentum. In many respects, the quality of progress in these key sectors will serve as a litmus test for the entire accession process, directly influencing the decision-making of EU Member States within the Council.
It is also noteworthy that Albania has managed to open negotiations within very tight timeframes across three additional clusters: the internal market; competitiveness and inclusive growth; and external relations. The latter also serves as a catalyst for foreign trade. The opening of negotiations on so many chapters in such a short period is unprecedented in recent years. On one hand, this demonstrates Albania’s capacity to live up to its ambition of becoming a Member State in the near future, asserting itself as a frontrunner in the process. On the other hand, this rapid progress confirms that enlargement has regained a profound geopolitical dimension. It shows that Member States are honouring their commitment to a merit-based process, where countries demonstrating the capacity to adopt and implement substantive, deep-rooted reforms with sustainable results are consistently rewarded.
Currently, 24 of the 33 negotiating chapters stand open. Albania’s objective, which the European Union supports, is to close all chapters by the end of 2027 and potentially complete all formal steps for full membership by 2030. However, as this remains a merit-based process, the country’s unwavering commitment to advancing all necessary reforms will be indispensable to ensuring tangible and sustained progress across all sectors.
What economic and commercial opportunities does enlargement towards the Western Balkans offer?
Enlargement towards the Western Balkans paves the way for a wealth of economic and commercial opportunities for both EU operators and those within the region. Countries in the area already benefit from free trade agreements with the EU and boast a high degree of alignment with European standards and regulations. Investments in the region are poised to yield potentially significant benefits for EU enterprises. Furthermore, foreign investment not only fosters the development of local economies but also provides a competitive advantage to companies looking to export their products within the European market.
Which sectors present the greatest opportunities for investment and cross-border cooperation for Italy?
There are several areas of cooperation with Albania that are of paramount importance for supporting the country’s economic development. Among the priority sectors for foreign investment are critical raw materials, which are essential for the development of digital value chains. Further strategic sectors include the green and digital transitions, both of which serve as pillars for the sustainable transformation of the Albanian economy. Investment in human capital is also crucial, as it will help bridge the current mismatch between skills supply and demand. Finally, the development of supply chains and sustainable tourism represents another promising avenue for economic cooperation with Italy and other Member States.
What initiatives is the European Union promoting to improve the business environment in the Western Balkans, and how can Italian companies benefit?
The Western Balkan countries are deeply engaged in the EU accession process and, within this framework, are progressively strengthening their administrative capacities and aligning national legislation with the EU acquis across all economic sectors, including the business environment. In Albania, for instance, a comprehensive justice reform has been underway for years to guarantee judicial independence—a vital factor in securing the growth of foreign investment. In parallel, the European Union is supporting the region through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which has made six billion euros available. The plan is built upon four pillars: strengthening the region’s economic integration into the European Single Market; fostering regional economic integration through a Common Regional Market; accelerating fundamental reforms; and increasing financial assistance to support those reforms. In this context, each country has adopted a rigorous Reform Agenda in strategic sectors specifically designed to improve the operating environment for businesses. Companies from EU Member States can capitalise on these initiatives by seizing the opportunities arising from an increasingly integrated, stable, and transparent economic landscape.