In her address to the European Parliament on Tuesday, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos highlighted the progress made by the Western Balkan countries on their path toward European Union membership, with particular emphasis on recent developments in Albania.
Kos stated that Albania has taken an important step forward by fulfilling the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements on the rule of law, enabling the country to begin the process of closing negotiation chapters. However, she stressed that significant work still remains to be done in implementing the reforms required by the EU.
According to Kos, there is currently a “window of opportunity” to accelerate the enlargement process. The European Commission stands ready to move forward with the countries of the region, provided they continue implementing reforms and align themselves with European Union policies.
She also underlined that the enlargement process remains strictly merit-based and that European institutions will continue to strongly support countries that demonstrate sustained progress on their path toward EU integration.
Marta Kos’ Speech:
“Just yesterday, as we heard, we provisionally closed two additional chapters with Montenegro, bringing the total number of closed chapters to around half of all chapters. Montenegro’s progress has also prompted the Council to begin drafting its Accession Treaty, the first such treaty in 17 years. This will be a new generation of accession treaties. These are steps we have not seen since Croatia was negotiating its membership.
Albania has also recently taken an important step forward by fulfilling the interim benchmarks on the rule of law (IBAR), enabling the country to begin closing negotiation chapters. Nevertheless, there is still much work to be done.
We need to see this momentum continue across all Western Balkan countries. Today, there is a window of opportunity to advance towards membership, and we are encouraging all Western Balkan countries to seize it.
At the EU–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, we heard clear commitments from all Western Balkan leaders that the path toward the European Union remains their strategic priority.
The European Commission is ready to move forward with all of these countries, provided they deliver on their reform commitments and demonstrate sufficient alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as its visa policy.
I know I can also count on this Parliament to uphold a strictly merit-based enlargement process—this principle remains fully valid—supporting all our enlargement partners at every stage, while also being clear and firm whenever progress is insufficient or there is backsliding.
And I agree with you, Mr. Weiz: if they deliver results, we must deliver ours as well. Once we have granted them candidate status, that commitment also lies with us.
Therefore, let us support them wherever possible and stand by their side as they work towards membership in the European Union.”
