The conference is set to formalise the provisional closure of Chapter 25 (Science and Research), Chapter 26 (Education and Culture) and Chapter 30 (External Relations), marking the first chapters Albania has completed since accession negotiations began.

“Today is a ‘super Tuesday’ for EU enlargement. For the first time in more than two decades, we are holding four accession conferences on the same day. The four frontrunners – Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro – are all taking major steps forward on their path towards EU membership,” Kos told reporters.

She said the EU was opening negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on Cluster 6, covering areas including external relations as well as foreign, security and defence policy, where, she said, “the case for their EU membership is particularly strong.”

“Albania will close its first negotiating chapters, while Montenegro has entered the final stage of formal negotiations, having already closed 18 of its 33 chapters. Today’s momentum must now translate into tangible results on the ground,” Kos said.

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Speaking after the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, Costa said the EU enlargement process had gained renewed momentum across the region.

“Last week, we held an Intergovernmental Conference with Albania which opened up the next phase in the accession process. In addition, the Commission has proposed to close three negotiation chapters with Albania,” Costa said in remarks at the press conference following the EU-Western Balkans.

He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to enlargement, describing it as a geopolitical investment in peace, security and prosperity across Europe.

Costa stated that the Western Balkans are an integral part of the European Union’s future. He urged Western Balkan countries to seize the current momentum by accelerating reforms and advancing their integration efforts, while stressing that alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy remains a key requirement for membership.

He also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations for stability and economic development, adding that the European Union would remain the Western Balkans’ most reliable partner.

“The future of the Western Balkans lies with the future of the European Union,” Costa said.

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