Albania’s EU accession process is picking up speed. At an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg—following a meeting of EU foreign ministers—negotiations officially began on the second cluster of Albania’s EU membership talks, focused on the Internal Market.

“We’ve agreed with the Commission on an ambitious roadmap. Our goal is to have all clusters opened and closed by 2027,” said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama during a press conference. “It’s bold, yes—but we’re fully committed, driven, and passionate about reaching this milestone.”

Backing this momentum, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking on behalf of the EU’s rotating presidency, called the enlargement process a “geostrategic investment”—vital for peace, security, and prosperity. He reiterated support for merit-based enlargement and urged Hungary to lift its veto on opening talks with Ukraine.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos praised Albania as “a true success story” of the EU’s enlargement process. She outlined the timeline: all clusters should be opened by the end of 2025, with closures beginning in 2026.

Kos also highlighted the significance of starting Internal Market negotiations in today’s geopolitical climate:

“While tariffs and protectionism are rising globally, our goal in this cluster is the opposite—breaking down trade barriers.”

Albania opened its first negotiation cluster—focused on the fundamentals of EU membership—in December 2024. The country’s accession journey officially began in July 2022, and with momentum building, 2025 is shaping up to be a breakthrough year.