TIRANA, July 9 /ATA/-By Gjergji Mima/ State Minister for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said on Wednesday that Albania aims to close all EU accession negotiation chapters within less than 18 months, stressing that institutions are committed to fulfilling the obligations arising from the membership process.
Responding to an Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) question at a press conference on the progress of EU negotiations, Pirdeni said the process requires particular attention in several areas that are more complex and require increased financial, human and institutional capacities.
According to Pirdeni, Albania has made significant progress in several sectors, while work is ongoing in other areas to strengthen the legal framework, increase administrative capacities and ensure the implementation of European Union legislation.
Pirdeni said that immediately after receiving the negotiating positions from EU member states, all ministries and institutions drafted detailed action plans to meet the obligations and closing benchmarks of the negotiation chapters.
She stressed that the process has its own dynamics and complexities, singling out the environment and food safety as the most challenging areas.
“In the field of the environment, Albania needs to demonstrate not only the alignment of its legislation with European Union standards, but above all their practical implementation. Food safety is also of particular importance to ensure that Albania meets the requirements for becoming part of the European market,” the minister said.
Pirdeni stressed that continuous progress must be demonstrated in each negotiation chapter, particularly in Chapters 23 and 24, which cover the rule of law, justice and fundamental rights.
She said Albania has built a positive perception among European partners, demonstrating that it is ready to take on the obligations assumed by European Union member states.
“Today, we are aligning Albanian legislation with that of the European Union, often at the same time as EU member states themselves. Directives from 2024 and 2025 are already part of the obligations that Albania must fulfil. This means that we are moving at a pace comparable to that of European Union countries,” Pirdeni said.
According to Pirdeni, Albanian institutions have a clear plan to address the challenges of the negotiation process, while work continues across all negotiation chapters.
“We are addressing all areas of the process, and we believe that in the remaining period of less than 18 months we will be able to close the negotiation chapters one by one, paving the way for the formal launch of Albania’s EU accession process,“ Pirdeni said.
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