Statement by Commissioner Kos at the 6th Inter-Governmental Conference with Albania: Opening negotiations on Cluster 4 “Connectivity and Green Agenda”

Prime Minister, Minister Bjerre, 

Albanias speed is impressive! I have not yet even been in office for a year, but this is already the fourth time we are opening a negotiation cluster with Albania during my mandate.  

This brings us to 5 open clusters. That is 28 open chapters.  

Now there is only one cluster left to open. And I have no doubt that we will do that soon. I know the Danish Presidency and all EU Member States are fully committed to make progress, once all criteria are met.  

This success is the reward of the hard work of the authorities of Albania, who have been pushing reforms over many years. 

And I know that the reforms we are demanding from our candidates are not easy. They require fundamental changes.  

But your country, dear Prime Minister, is showing that they can be done. Albania shows that positive change is possible. And that the EU rewards positive change.  

Keep up the pace! While making sure to keep involving the parliament, civil society and the private sector. A broad national consensus improves the quality and the societal acceptance of laws.   

A special focus should be on critical areas such as justice reform, judicial independence and fight against corruption, property rights, minority issues and media freedom to meet the interim benchmarks. This is critical so we can start closing chapters as soon as possible, and to meet your ambition to close all of them by 2027. 

The cluster we have opened today is called “Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity”.  

The reforms it contains will help make sure that Albanias economic growth goes hand in hand with the protection of Albanias remarkable natural wealth. Reforms will protect natural resources, improve waste and water management and reduce air pollution. 

The transport reforms in this cluster will modernize roads, expand rail networks, and integrate Albania fully with EU and regional systems. The energy reforms will promote fair competition, expand renewable sources, and strengthen energy security.  

All of this make a difference in the lives of Albanians citizens. 

Albanias future is in the EU. There is no doubt about that. And today, we are one step closer to achieving that goal.