Historic

Albania’s relations with the European Union, based on the national objective of EU integration, are strategic and a priority of the foreign policy. The primary interest of Albania in relation to the EU is future EU accession. The current objective remains the opening of the accession talks with the EU, as a key and qualitative step towards achieving the ultimate goal of EU membership. Work is underway to concretize expectations for a positive decision to open talks with the EU.

In 1991 Albania established diplomatic relations with the European Community.

In 2000, Albania was formally recognized by the European Union as a potential candidate country.

The Thessaloniki Summit of EU leaders in 2003 adopted the Stabilization and Association process, thus confirming the prospect of EU membership of the Western Balkan countries, including Albania.

Negotiations on the EU-Albania Stability and Association Agreement began in 2003. The negotiation process on the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Albania was concluded and signed at the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg on 12 June 2006.

The SAA entered into force on 1 April 2009. Also in April 2009, Albania formally applied to join the EU.

In November 2009, based on the questionnaire submitted by the European Commission to Albania regarding the country’s accession preparation, negotiations on the candidate status began.

On June 27, 2014, Albania was granted candidate status and set out five key priorities (public administration, rule of law, fight against corruption, organized crime, fundamental rights) that Albania needed to be fulfilled before the start of accession negotiations

On 9 November 2016, based on the achievement of these key priorities, the Commission first proposed to the Council the commencement of accession negotiations with Albania, subject to concrete progress in implementing justice reform, in particular in the vetting process of the judges and prosecutors.

On 17 April 2018, in its Annual Enlargement Package, the European Commission recommended that the Council decide to open accession negotiations with Albania in the light of Albania’s steady progress, preservation and deepening of reforms.

On June 26, 2018, the EU General Affairs Council agreed to respond positively to the progress made by Albania and to set the path to the opening of accession negotiations in June 2019.

On May 29, 2019, the European Commission presented the annual Enlargement Package, recommending again the immediate opening of accession negotiations for Albania.

On June 18 2019, the General Affairs Council reaffirmed its conclusions of 26 June 2018, took good note of the Commission’s recommendation to open accession negotiations with Albania and decided to revert to the issue with a view to reaching a clear and substantive decision as soon as possible and no later than October 2019.

The European Council of 17-18 October 2019 considered opening accession negotiations with Albania. The Council decided to return to the matter before May 2020.

 

Visa-free regime
On November 9, 2006, the European Commission decided to start visa facilitation negotiations with Albania.

The Visa Facilitation Agreement was signed by the parties on 13 April 2007, in Zagreb. It paved the way for the complete abolition of visas and free movement for Albanian citizens to EU countries.

Following the entry into force of the Agreement, on 1 January 2008, on 7 March 2008, in Tirana, negotiations began between the European Commission and the Albanian Government to reach a consensus on visa liberalization between the parties.

At the conclusion of the talks, in May 2010, the Commission proposed to allow Albanian citizens to travel to Schengen countries without the need for a short-term visa.

On 8 November 2010, the Council approved the Commission proposal and the visa-free regime entered into force on 15 December 2010.

The European Commission is authorized to evaluate annually the implementation of the Agreement. In its latest report in December 2018, the European Commission stated that Albania has fulfilled its obligations, proposing to maintain this regime with Albania. (Click here)