The government has reacted after the European Commission today formally presented its “Pre-Enlargement Policy Reviews”, setting out the framework for internal institutional and governance reforms, as well as safeguard mechanisms that will accompany the European Union’s next wave of enlargement.
In its response, the government stressed that this strategic document consolidates Albania’s position as one of the leading countries in the enlargement process.
The government noted that the document confirms that the EU’s internal reforms and the progress of candidate countries will move forward in parallel, with a specific roadmap for Albania’s accession expected to be included in the 2026 Enlargement Package.
“The comprehensive review underlines that the European Union’s existing policies do not require a complete structural overhaul in order to accommodate new members.
The EU is implementing the principle of ‘Integration by Design’, incorporating enlargement scenarios from the outset in the development of future policies and the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
This approach aims to preserve the Union’s capacity to act and strengthen the role of enlargement in ensuring European security and stability.
The document focuses on three key reform elements:
First, a review of the Article 7 mechanism concerning serious breaches of the rule of law. Instead of the current threshold of four-fifths of member states for suspending voting rights in the Council, the European Commission proposes the use of a ‘reverse qualified majority’ (Reverse QMV). Under this mechanism, a Commission decision to impose sanctions would automatically enter into force unless member states form the required majority to overturn it. The aim is to make the protection of European values more effective and the mechanism easier to implement.
Second, the introduction of strict financial safeguards. The document proposes freezing or restricting access to new EU funds in cases where a member or candidate country breaches its commitments or fails to respect the principles of the rule of law.
Third, the establishment of rules governing the rights of new members. Countries joining the EU would enjoy rights fully equal to those of the current 27 member states, including the right to have a commissioner and the right of veto in decision-making.
However, the possibility is envisaged for new members to voluntarily commit to refraining from using their veto on issues related to bilateral disputes in the context of enlargement, thereby preventing such disputes from blocking the process.
The new framework also supports a merit-based ‘Gradual Integration’ model, allowing Albania progressive access to key EU sectors and programmes before full membership. This model envisages accelerated integration in areas such as cybersecurity, military mobility, the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and trans-European energy networks, bringing tangible economic and infrastructure benefits.
The European Commission document describes strategic support for enlargement as an investment whose benefits outweigh the costs for EU citizens. It stresses that bringing the countries that have advanced furthest in the process, such as Montenegro and Albania, closer to the EU will contribute to strengthening security and stability by expanding the European market and area.
This policy review represents a strong political signal of the European Union’s support for Albania’s progress towards the strategic ‘Albania 2030’ objective.
Reforms and national consensus remain essential for membership in the European family.
Albania remains fully committed to continuing its work with the same determination and dedication to meeting all criteria and fulfilling the historic mission of achieving full membership of the European Union within this decade,” the government said in its response.
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