On 24 June 2014, in line with its Conclusions of 17 December 2013, following the Commission’s report of 4 June and in light of the continued progress, the Council decided to grant Albania candidate status
http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/albania/documents/press_releases/gac_june_en.pdf
Council decision was endorsed by the European Council in its meeting of 26 June 2014. This merit based decision is a testimony of the dynamism and credibility of the Enlargement process and its transformative power. It opens a period of higher responsibilities for Albania to address the recommendations in the Commission’s report and the implementation of the key priorities in view of opening the accession negotiations.