TIRANA, July 15 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday hailed the outcome of the ninth Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference a day ago as “another milestone for European Albania” after the country closed negotiations on three chapters in its EU accession talks.
The chapters cover science and research (Chapter 25), education and culture (Chapter 26), and external relations (Chapter 30).
The government head took to the social media on Wednesday to share images from the ninth Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, describing it as “another milestone for European Albania.”
Ahead of the conference, Rama held an informal discussion with members of the Albanian delegation, asking Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka whether it would be possible to close more than three chapters at a time.
Dhuka said negotiating chapters are generally closed in groups of three, as that format has proved more effective in discussions with EU member states.
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha noted that Tuesday marked the first time in two decades that four intergovernmental conferences had been held in a single day.
“It is the first time in two decades that four have been held in one day,” Hoxha said, with Dhuka adding that the last such occasion dated back to 2002.
Speaking alongside Rama and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, praised Albania’s progress toward EU membership.
“With the closure of these chapters, Albania is entering a new phase of the accession process. Albania has opened all six negotiating clusters within a year. We commend your pace, your determination and, above all, your consistency, Prime Minister,” Byrne said.
Kos described the development as “a major moment for Albania on its path to the European Union.”
“This is a ‘Super Tuesday’ for EU enlargement, and Albania is part of it,” she said.
Addressing reporters after the conference, Rama said the provisional closure of the three chapters represented more than another procedural step.
“It is a clear acknowledgement that Albania is moving forward, that reforms are delivering results, and that our country is increasingly ready to assume the responsibilities of European Union membership,” he said.
/u.sh/
