{"id":475,"date":"2025-12-15T13:18:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T13:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenextmile.eu\/?p=475"},"modified":"2025-12-15T13:18:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T13:18:47","slug":"albanias-eu-accession-sprint-balancing-momentum-reform-and-eu-scrutiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thenextmile.eu\/?p=475","title":{"rendered":"Albania\u2019s EU Accession Sprint: Balancing Momentum, Reform, and EU Scrutiny"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

15 December 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clingendael, Carnegie Europe, Jacques Delors Institute, DGAP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new policy brief, by Wouter Zweers et all, outlines the main conclusions of a factfinding mission to Tirana on 5 \u2013 7 October 2025, that was jointly conducted by experts from four European think tanks: The Clingendael Institute, Carnegie Europe, the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), and the Jacques Delors Institute. The mission was organised by the Jacques Delors Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albania\u2019s EU accession is advancing rapidly, backed by strong public support within Albania, geopolitical alignment, and PM Rama\u2019s active diplomacy.
Key reforms remain pending and require broader inclusion of civil society, local governments, the private sector, and the political opposition
Stronger domestic ownership and more rigorous EU scrutiny are needed to ensure credible, lasting progress as Albania enters a decisive phase of accession<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albania has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing EU candidate countries, having opened all negotiation clusters and aiming to complete talks by 2027. Its progress is driven by strong geopolitical alignment, broad public support, and Prime Minister Edi Rama\u2019s active engagement with EU leaders. Yet rapid advancement masks notable challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Albania\u2019s limited political pluralism and modest EU accession engagement from civil society, the private sector and local governments raise concerns about the sustainability and inclusiveness of reforms. Key reforms on media regulation, judicial reform, environmental protection and public procurement are still pending. This policy brief assesses Albania\u2019s political dynamics and reform trajectory. It argues that insufficient EU due diligence on key reforms risks weakening the EU\u2019s transformative power. Ensuring credible progress requires stronger domestic ownership and more rigorous and sincere EU assessments as Albania enters a decisive phase of accession<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can access the report here: Albania\u2019s EU Accession Sprint: Balancing Momentum, Reform, and EU Scrutiny<\/a> by Wouter Zweers, Dimitar Bechev, Iliriana Gjoni, Iliriana Gjoni, S\u00e9bastien Maillard, Milan Ni\u010d, Nikola Xaviereff, December 2025, Clingendael <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

15 December 2025 Clingendael, Carnegie Europe, Jacques Delors Institute, DGAP A new policy brief, by Wouter Zweers et all, outlines the main conclusions of a factfinding mission to Tirana on 5 \u2013 7 October 2025, that was jointly conducted by experts from four European think tanks: The Clingendael Institute, Carnegie Europe, the German Council on 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