TIRANA, July 15 – Albania has provisionally closed its first 3 European Union negotiation chapters: Chapter 25 on Science and Research, Chapter 26 on Education and Culture, and Chapter 30 on External Relations. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage from the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels and described it as “another milestone day for European Albania”.
Before the conference, Rama met informally with the Albanian delegation. He asked Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka if Albania could close more than 3 chapters at once. Dhuka explained that the EU prefers closing chapters in groups of 3 because this format makes discussions with member states more effective. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha noted that the EU held 4 intergovernmental meetings on the same day for the first time in 2 decades. Dhuka added that the last similar case dated back to 2002.
During the joint press conference, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne praised Albania’s commitment to EU membership. He said the closure of the chapters opens a new phase in the accession process. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos called the moment a major step for Albania and described it as a “Super Tuesday” for EU enlargement. Rama said the achievement confirms that Albania is moving forward, reforms are producing results, and the country is becoming more prepared for EU membership responsibilities.
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