The report assesses the implementation of reforms and Albania’s progress in EU accession negotiations, highlighting key priorities, achievements and challenges requiring further action.

Peleshi said parliament would carefully examine the report’s findings and recommendations and continue contributing to the alignment of Albanian legislation with EU standards, stronger parliamentary oversight and the advancement of accession-related reforms.

The 2026 report highlights progress in several key areas of Albania’s EU integration process, including the opening of all six negotiating clusters, covering 33 chapters, and the provisional closure of four chapters. It also acknowledges progress in judicial reform and the fight against corruption, economic growth and declining public debt, digital transformation, energy, education, science and innovation.

The report also notes Albania’s full alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and the financial support provided through the Western Balkans Growth Plan.

At the same time, it outlines priorities for further reforms, with parliament playing an important role through legislative alignment with European standards and stronger parliamentary oversight.

The Albanian Parliament remains committed to fulfilling its institutional responsibilities in support of the country’s strategic national objective of EU membership, with the aim of concluding accession negotiations by the end of 2027.

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Attacks on public institutions and the destruction of public and private property had nothing to do with the right to peaceful protest, Peleshi said, while acknowledging young people’s right to demand greater opportunities and aspire to the same future as their peers in the European Union.

“Attacks on institutions, arson and the destruction of property have nothing to do with students or their right to protest,” he wrote in a social media post accompanying a European Commission statement on the demonstrations.

Peleshi said violence could not resolve citizens’ grievances and called for mutual understanding, even where views differed.

“Let us sit down together, without prejudice or resentment. Every hour that passes makes dialogue more difficult,” he said.

He ended his message with a call for unity and cooperation, saying the country’s interests should take precedence over divisions.

“Let us extend a hand to one another today. We share one goal: Albania,” Peleshi said.

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Peleshi took part in the Conference of Speakers of EU Member States’ Parliaments, which brought together parliamentary leaders from member and candidate countries to discuss security challenges and the future of EU enlargement.

Addressing a session on Europe’s role in a changing global order, Peleshi outlined Albania’s positions on geopolitical developments, enlargement and the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

He said Europe faces a critical moment marked by strategic rivalry, hybrid threats, economic pressures and ongoing conflicts that directly affect the continent’s security.

Referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, Peleshi said such developments show that insecurity does not remain confined but spreads beyond borders.

He described EU enlargement as a key instrument for strengthening stability and security, warning that leaving the Western Balkans outside European structures creates space for external influence and instability.

A united Europe, he said, would be stronger and more resilient.

Peleshi stressed the need for a clear and credible EU perspective for the region, calling it a strong driver for reforms and democratic consolidation. He also pointed to the Western Balkans’ potential contributions to the bloc, including a young workforce, strategic location and energy resources.

He said the enlargement process should remain merit-based, but also require strong political will from EU member states and institutions, warning that unjustified delays risk weakening the bloc’s influence in the region.

Peleshi said Albania has made tangible progress and remains committed to its European path, aligning with EU foreign and security policy and contributing to international missions and NATO as a reliable ally.

He expressed hope the conference would help accelerate enlargement, noting that Albania and Montenegro are among the frontrunners, alongside other Western Balkan countries and candidates such as Moldova and Ukraine.

The conference in Denmark serves as a platform for parliamentary leaders to exchange views, strengthen cooperation and coordinate positions on Europe’s security challenges and EU enlargement.

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In discussions with Kosovo counterpart, Peleshi welcomed the timely constitution of Kosovo’s Parliament and the start of the new legislature. He highlighted the high level of parliamentary cooperation between the two legislatures, underpinned by the 2022 Memorandum of Cooperation and joint meetings in Tirana and Prishtina.

Peleshi also praised a resolution supporting former Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) leaders on trial at The Hague, describing it as a clear expression of political will and institutional solidarity, reaffirming support for a fair and impartial judicial process and for the dignity of Kosovo’s liberation struggle.

Both Peleshi and Haxhiu stressed the need to enhance the quality and frequency of cooperation between parliamentary committees, political groups, international delegations, lawmakers, and administrations of both parliaments, including information exchange and legislative alignment to support EU integration and international representation.

Meeting with President Osmani, Peleshi reaffirmed Albania’s full support for Kosovo on the international stage, including new recognitions and membership in regional and international organizations. He commended Kosovo’s clear pro-European orientation, alignment with EU foreign policy, and commitment to rule-of-law reforms.

Peleshi emphasized that Albania would continue to be Kosovo’s strongest advocate, particularly in efforts to achieve EU candidate status and NATO membership.

In talks with Prime Minister Kurti, the focus was on deepening bilateral cooperation across all dimensions and regional developments. The discussions reaffirmed support for the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia dialogue backed by the United States, aiming for a final agreement based on mutual recognition.

Both sides noted Kosovo’s clear commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and welcomed the EU’s removal of restrictive measures as a positive step for advancing its Euro-Atlantic agenda.

Peleshi’s visit underscored high-level political and institutional coordination between Albania and Kosovo, strengthening nationwide cooperation and sending a clear message of stability and strategic partnership in the region.

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Speaking at an event organised by Kosovo’s Embassy, Peleshi extended congratulations on behalf of Albania’s Parliament, calling the date “a historic moment of freedom, dignity and justice” for the Albanian nation.

He said Kosovo’s independence represented the triumph of a people’s right to live free and sovereign after decades of repression and discrimination, and paid tribute to the sacrifice and resilience of Kosovo’s citizens, including the role of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Peleshi said that despite being a young state, Kosovo had established itself as a democratic country and a factor of stability in the region.

He also highlighted the decisive support of the United States, NATO and the European Union during Kosovo’s path to independence.

Referring to ongoing judicial proceedings against former wartime leaders, Peleshi expressed concern and said justice in those cases was closely linked to the justice of Kosovo’s broader cause.

He reaffirmed Albania’s continued support for Kosovo’s membership in the European Union, NATO and the Council of Europe, and stressed the importance of deepening inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

In closing, Peleshi said Kosovo’s independence was “a victory of freedom over oppression” and reiterated Albania’s commitment to supporting Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

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Speaking at a meeting of the ruling Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Peleshi outlined parliamentary challenges on Albania’s path towards what he called “Albania 2030”.

Focusing on EU integration, Peleshi said Albania recorded its fastest-ever progress toward the bloc over the past year, both in opening negotiation chapters and in meeting technical and institutional requirements.

“On November 17, Albania opened the last cluster of accession negotiations. The goal now is to conclude them by 2027,” Peleshi said, adding he was optimistic about meeting the target, adding that the 2027 deadline was not a unilateral commitment or an electoral promise, but a date agreed with EU institutions.

He said parliament should set an example by raising ethical standards and parliamentary culture to the level of the countries Albania aims to join.

Peleshi added that European integration had been the main focus of the previous parliamentary session, noting that lawmakers had approved amendments to legislation governing parliament’s role in the accession process. The changes introduced accelerated procedures for reviewing laws aimed at aligning Albanian legislation with EU rules.

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In a social media message, Peleshi praised Nano as a dominant figure in an entire era of Albanian politics and as the visionary founder and leader of the Socialist Party until 2005.

“For Albanian politics, Fatos Nano remains a modern politician who brought a true European spirit into our public sphere. He was an intellectual fluent in the language of ideas, a liberal who believed in individual freedom and economic development, and a convinced Europeanist who saw Albania’s future only within the broader European family. At a time when many still thought with outdated mindsets, he spoke of the future,” Peleshi said.

Parliament Speaker emphasized that Nano was the architect of its historic transformation.

“He built the new left on the solid foundations of European social democracy, achieving what once seemed nearly impossible: keeping it standing when its thread was exceptionally thin. He had the courage to break dogmas, the vision to look beyond immediate crises, and the strength to build a political movement capable of governing and modernizing the country,” Peleshi concluded.

Fatos Nano, the economist who founded the ruling Socialist Party and served as prime minister during the country’s transition from communist rule, died on Friday aged 73 after a long illness.

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In a statement on social media, the U.S. Embassy said the meeting focused on Parliament’s priorities and key areas of interest for the Trump Administration, including increased defense spending and robust investment screening to strengthen security and prosperity for the United States and its Allies.

VanHorn said she looked forward to working closely with Parliament “to advance shared objectives that strengthen security and prosperity for the United States and its allies.”

Speaker Peleshi described the meeting as an opportunity to reaffirm Albania’s strategic partnership with the United States and to outline parliamentary priorities under his chairmanship.

The meeting comes just days after Peleshi was elected as Speaker of the Albanian Parliament.

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