European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the European Union’s enlargement process was gaining momentum. She confirmed that Albania was expected to provisionally close another negotiating chapter today, covering enterprise and industrial policy. The decision was due during the 10th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg.

Meanwhile, Montenegro provisionally closed three more chapters last night. The EU also plans to open two negotiating clusters each with Ukraine and Moldova. Kos said member states would discuss stronger safeguards for the rule of law and the implementation of reforms. She stressed that the EU must become stronger and more efficient as it expands.

The commissioner also highlighted hybrid threats facing candidate countries. She said their experience could help protect democracy across Europe. Candidate countries will also be welcomed at the European Centre for Democratic Resilience to strengthen cooperation on democratic protection. The expected closure would bring Albania’s total to four negotiating chapters provisionally closed in its EU accession talks.

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