Today, the second Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) between the European Union and the Republic of Albania took place in Luxembourg, which basically started the country's membership negotiations. This was announced by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by BTA.
In accordance with the negotiating framework, the first negotiation cluster “Fundamental Issues” was opened, which includes topics of fundamental importance for building a democratic, pluralistic and prosperous society.
The Albanian delegation, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, also included the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hassani.
„Albania has just reached a very important stop in its EU integration process,“ wrote on the platform “X“ European Commissioner for Enlargement Olivier Varhei. He added: “Today we highly appreciate the determination and hard work of Albania. Due to the results achieved in the necessary reforms, we are able to open the first cluster – “Foundation questions“ which will allow us to proceed to the remaining clusters.“
„Bulgaria welcomes Albania for the progress achieved in the integration process, which is reflected in today's opening of negotiations on the first cluster. This cluster is key to progress and we encourage Albania to continue its efforts in all areas identified in the EU Common Position.
Among them is the need for further progress in protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, in line with Albania's commitments under the Rule of Law Roadmap,” stated the Bulgarian Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Rumen Alexandrov. He added that “Albania leads an active and constructive regional foreign policy and is among the candidates that fully harmonize its foreign policy with that of the EU.“
Before the intergovernmental conference, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis expressed the opinion that the first cluster should also include issues related to the rights of minorities in Albania.
The EU's new methodology for the enlargement process, adopted in 2021, envisages systematizing the negotiations in six groups or clusters and places much greater emphasis on fundamental reforms in candidate countries for membership. The first cluster “Fundamental Questions“ has a horizontal meaning and determines the dynamics of the entire negotiation process – it opens first and closes last.
The topics included in it concern fundamental EU values related to the rule of law, fundamental rights, the effective functioning of democratic institutions and others, whose sharing and implementation in practice by the candidate countries is a key indicator of their readiness for future membership in the EU.
Until the end of September, the process of integration of Albania and North Macedonia into the EU developed in parallel, but the two countries were separated after Skopje did not meet its commitments under the negotiating framework on time.