On May 26, 2026, the 8th Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level between the European Union and Albania took place in Brussels, marking a particularly important moment in the country’s path toward European Union membership.

The Albanian delegation was led by Prime Minister Edi Rama and included the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha; the Minister of State and Chief Negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka; the Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari; the Minister of Justice, Toni Gogu; the Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj; as well as members of the negotiating team.

The conference welcomed and supported the European Commission’s report on the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR), according to which Albania has achieved a sufficient level of progress in Cluster 1, “Fundamentals.” At the same time, the European Union’s Common Position on the closing benchmarks for this cluster was also approved.

This development is considered a historic moment in Albania’s European integration process and another milestone on the road toward EU membership.

According to the official statement, this progress represents recognition of the reforms undertaken by Albania in key areas such as strengthening the rule of law, consolidating democratic governance, judicial reform, increasing security standards, protecting fundamental rights, and strengthening institutional accountability.

These reforms are described as the foundation of every functional democracy and the basis upon which the vision for a European Albania is being built.

The results of the conference further consolidate the country’s European journey, strengthen the confidence of European partners in Albania’s institutional capacities and political will, and are considered an important investment toward achieving the strategic objective of full membership in the European Union within this decade.

Albania is the first country in the current enlargement process to reach this stage under the European Union’s new methodology, paving the way for the next phase of negotiations — the closing of chapters.

The statement emphasized that the next phase will require greater commitment, more efficient interinstitutional coordination, and intensified reforms from all negotiating structures.

It was also underlined that Albania remains fully committed to fulfilling the obligations related to closing the chapters and continuing its steady progress toward full membership in the European Union.

In conclusion, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs congratulated the negotiating team and everyone involved in the process, while expressing gratitude to European partners, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, her team, the Cypriot Presidency, and the member states of the European Union for their continued support and cooperation.