The Fifth Intergovernmental Conference on Albania’s EU membership took place today in Brussels.

Ambassador Agnieszka Bartol, Permanent Representative of Poland to the EU, led the EU delegation on behalf of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. Director-General Gert Jan Koopman from the European Commission also participated. Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, led the Albanian delegation.

The meeting opened negotiations with Albania on Cluster 3: “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth.”

This cluster includes the following chapters:

• Chapter 10 – Digital Transformation and Media
• Chapter 16 – Taxation
• Chapter 17 – Economic and Monetary Policy
• Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment
• Chapter 20 – Enterprise and Industrial Policy
• Chapter 25 – Science and Research
• Chapter 26 – Education and Culture
• Chapter 29 – Customs Union

The EU also set benchmarks for the provisional closure of these chapters.

This conference follows the opening of Cluster 1 “Fundamentals” on October 15, 2024, Cluster 6 “External Relations” on December 17, 2024, and Cluster 2 “Internal Market” on April 14, 2025.

“The EU will continue to monitor Albania’s progress in aligning with and implementing the EU acquis and standards throughout the negotiations. The accession conference will revisit this cluster at an appropriate time,” said the Council of the European Union in a press release.

/a.c/