Meinl-Reisinger in Albania: Progress towards EU membership

Meinl-Reisinger in Albania: Progress towards EU membership

On Tuesday, November 24, 2025, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) will visit Albania. In doing so, it underlines Albania's role as an important candidate for EU accession, together with Montenegro, which is currently considered the “front runner” among the candidates. During her stay in Tirana, she will meet with her Albanian counterpart Elisa Spiropali and Prime Minister Edi Rama.

A central concern of the visit is the deepening of economic relations between Austria and Albania. Meinl-Reisinger particularly emphasizes Albania's progress in the EU accession process. In recent years, Albania has implemented fundamental reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions.

Progress and challenges

The latest progress reports from the European External Action Service emphasize that Albania has made significant progress since the intergovernmental conference in October 2024. Five out of six chapter clusters for EU accession have already been opened, and the remaining chapter could still open in November 2025. These successes are reflected in the high level of support among the population: 91 percent of Albanians support EU membership.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos emphasizes that completion of the integration process is achievable by 2027, although challenges remain. The question of the maritime borders with Greece has now been clarified, which should further facilitate talks about accession.

EU accession process at a glance

Albania has had the prospect of joining the EU since 2003, which was confirmed at various summits of the EU-Western Balkan states, most recently in December 2024 in Brussels. The first accession conference took place on July 19, 2022, which marked the official starting signal for the accession negotiations. Albania has gradually moved closer to the EU since the early 1990s, starting with the establishment of diplomatic relations in June 1991 and the entry into force of a trade and cooperation agreement in 1992.

An important milestone was the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in 2006, which came into force in 2009. The application to join the EU was submitted in April 2009 and in 2014 Albania received candidate status. The EU has since provided the country with support through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), which amounts to up to 9 billion euros in the 2021-2027 financial framework.

Austria is one of the largest investors in Albania with an investment volume of 896 million euros. This underlines Austria's continued commitment to Albania's reform efforts and European integration, which are crucial for the stability and prosperity of the region.

In summary, Albania is on a promising path to EU membership. The progress made in recent years is encouraging, but it remains important to continue to press ahead with the reforms that have been initiated in order to make the accession process successful. Like RTSH and the [Foreign Amt](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/europa/ Extension-nachbarschaft/eu-beitrittswandeln-node/eu-albanien-250058) report, the goal of a possible chapter closure by 2027 is certainly achievable.

For further information about Meinl-Reisinger's visit to Albania and the status of the EU accession process, we refer to Vienna.at.