European Integration

EU integration is the greatest national objective that tops the political agenda of the Albanian government. Aware that Albania’s integration in the EU is the most efficient way to dynamic democratisation, the government is taking concrete steps to fulfil key reforms to bring the opening of accession negotiations closer, after obtaining the candidate country status. EU Integration is a crucial process that dictates concrete results, dialogue and partnership. Therefore, serious efforts are in place to ensure fulfilment of obligations.

We aim to apply a multifaceted cooperation with the conviction that success in the EU integration process means proper implementation of reforms and inclusiveness of all stakeholders: opposition, civil society, business community and interest groups. We strongly believe in concrete and open relations with our international partners that have been assisting us professionally and financially. We must accelerate towards finalisation of this process that helps strengthen the rule of law and improve the life of Albanian citizens.

EU – Albania history

09.11.2016

In view of the (...) progress in meeting the key priorities and subject to credible and tangible progress in the implementation of the justice reform, in particular the reevaluation of judges and prosecutors (vetting), the Commission recommends opening accession negotiations with Albania. 

( http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2016/20161109_strategy... )

07-08.11.2016 - 11th meeting EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee takes place in Brussels

08.09.2016 - Held works the 8th Meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between Albania and EU / Brussels

09.06.2016 - 7th meeting of the Stabilisation and Association EU Albania Committee Meeting  / Tiranë

19-20.05.2016 - Takes place the 10th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee / Tirana  

30.03.2016 - Takes place the 6th round of the EU-Albania High Level Dialogue / Tiranë

8-9.11.2015 - 9th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee takes place / Brussels

18.05.2015 - In Brussels is held the 7-th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Council 

24.03.2015 - Takes place the fifth round of the Albania-EU High Level Dialogue  / Tiranë

20.03.2015 - In Brussels is held the Stabilisation and Association EU-Albania Committee Meeting

16-17.03.2015- Takes place the 8-th Meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee / Tiranë

29.09.2014- Fourth meeting of High Level Dialogue EU-Albania takes place.

27.06.2014 - EU Candidate Status for Albania

24.06. 2014 - Third meeting of High Level Dialogue EU-Albania takes place. 

06.03.2014 – Second EU-Albania High Level Dialogue meeting takes place, attended by the Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, who is handed the Roadmap addressing the 5 key priorities. It provides detailed description of measures and concrete steps being taken to fulfil the five priorities.

11.11.2013 – EU-Albania High Level Dialogue launched, with representatives from the government, independent institutions and the opposition.

16.10.2013 – Taking note of the progress achieved by Albania, the European Commission recommends to the Council to grant Albania candidate status, on the understanding that Albania keeps up its anti-corruption efforts. This recommendation is included in the Development Strategy and Main Challenges 2013 - 2014

10.10.2012 – European Commission recommends that Albania be granted candidate status, subject to the completion of key measures in the areas of judicial and public administration reform and revision of the parliamentary rules.

21.03.2012 – Inter-ministerial Committee for European Integration approves the revised Action Plan addressing the recommendations of the EC Avis on Albania’s application for membership in the EU

December 2011 – Revision of the Action Plan addressing the recommendation of the EC Avis kicks off

10/06/2011 - Adoption of the Action Plan addressing the recommendation of the EC Avis.

15/12/2010 – Visa liberalisation for Albanian citizens travelling to Schengen area

9/11/2010 – Adoption of EC Avis for Albania’s application for membership in the EU.

08/11/2010 - Justice and Home Affairs Council adopts the visa-free regime for Albanian citizens.

23/06/2010 – European Parliament adopts resolution on visa-free regime with Albania

10/06/2010 – Albania hands over the answers to the additional questions of the EC Questionnaire

27/05/2010 – European Commission proposes lifting visa requirement for Albanian citizens having a biometric passport, within autumn 2010.

12/05/2010 – European Commission presents the Albanian government the additional questions to the Questionnaire

11/05/2010 – EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Council meets in Brussels

06/05/2010 – European Commission notifies the Albanian government on fact-finding missions to Albania under the expected Avis for candidate status.

14/04/2010 – Prime Minister Sali Berisha hands over the Questionnaire answers to Brussels

12/03/2010 – First SA Committee meeting takes place in Tirana

16/12/2009 – EC Questionnaire arrives in Tirana

16/11/2009 – EU Council of Ministers approves Albania’s application for membership.

12/11/2009 – European Parliament adopts Euro-parliamentarian Tanja Fajon’s report on visa liberalisation with the Western Balkan countries

28/4/2009 - Albania submits its application for EU membership

1 April 2009 - Entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)

6/2008 - The European Commission presents a road map identifying specific requirements for visa liberalisation with Albania.

March 2008 - Visa liberalisation dialogue launched

18/2/2008 - Council decision on a revised European Partnership for Albania

22/1/2008 -Albania and the EC sign the Financing Agreement for the instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2007 National Programme

1/2008 – Visa facilitation agreement enters into force.

11/07/2008 – Visa facilitation agreement between Albania and the European Communities and their Member States  ratified by 25 countries: Latvia (26 October 2006), Slovenia (12 February 2007), Slovakia (15 February 2007), Poland (15 March 2007), Sweden (21 March 2007), Hungary (23 April 2007), Spain (12 May 2007), Lithuania (17 May 2007),  Irlanda (31 May 2007),  Luxemburg (4 July 2007), Great Britain (16 October 2007), Italy (16 October 2007), Estonia (18 October 2007), Netherlands (26 November 2007), Finland (29 November 2007), Malta (21 April 2008), Denmark (24 April 2008), Czech Republic (6 May 2008), Austria (21 May 2008), Cyprus (31 May 2008), Belgium (25 June 2008), Portugal (11 July 2008).

5/9/2007 – NPISAA 2007 – 2012 approved by DCM No 557.

5/2007 - Adoption of the Multi-Annual Indicative Planning Document (MIPD) 2007-2009 for Albania under the IPA

1/12/2006 – Entry into force of the Interim Agreement

06/9/2006 – European Parliament votes in favour of the resolution for the ratification of the SAA that paves the way for its ratification by the 28 EU member states

27/7/2006 – Albanian Parliament ratifies the Interim Agreement and the SAA

17/7/2006 – Council adopts a regulation establishing a new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). It simplifies and projects EU external aid over the pre-accession period. IPA replaces the existing instruments (PHARE, SPA, SAPARD, CARDS) since 1 January 2007.

7/2006 – Adoption of National Plan for the Implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement

12/6/2006 - Signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (and the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related Matters) at the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Luxembourg

5/2006 - Entry into force of the EC-Albania readmission agreement

2/2006 – Stabilisation and Association Agreement initialled in Albania

14/4/2005 – EU-Albania readmission agreement signed in Luxembourg

12/2005 - Council decision on principles underlining a revised European Partnership for Albania.

6/2004 - Council decision on a first European Partnership for Albania and proposal for Albania to develop a Plan addressing the priorities of this document.

5/2004 – European Union launches TAIEX programme to assist approximation of legislation in SA countries.

12/2003 – EU-Albania Readmission Agreement initialled.

21/6/2003 - Thessaloniki European Council (so-called Zagreb II) confirmed the EU policy for the Western Balkans and paves the way for eligibility for instruments used by Member States.

2/2003 – First round of negotiations for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement kicks off.

31/1/2003 - Negotiations for a SAA between the EU and Albania officially launched by the Commission President Prodi.

21/10/2002 - Negotiating Directives for the negotiation of a SAA with Albania are adopted by the General Affairs Council in October.

6/2001 - The Commission recommends the undertaking of negotiations on SAA with Albania. The Goeteborg European Council invites the Commission to present draft negotiating directives for the negotiation of a SAA with Albania.

2001 - First year of the Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS)programme specifically designed for the SPA countries

11/2000 -Zagreb Summit intensified EU-Albania co-operation.

June 2000 - Feira European Council states that all the SAP countries are "potential candidates" for EU membership.

5/200 – European Commission presents CARDS Programme for South-east Europe for the period 2000-2006

2000 - Extension of duty-free access to EU market for products from Albania.

1/2000 – Feasibility report adopted by the General Affairs Council.

1999 – Albania benefits from Autonomous Trade Preferences with the EU.

11/1999 – Feasibility study approved by the European Commission.

9/1999 – Feasibility study of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement initiated.

5/1999 - The EU proposes the new Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) for five countries of South-Eastern Europe, including Albania. Albania becomes eligible for funding under CARDS.

1997 - The EU Council of Ministers establishes a regional approach, with political and economic conditions for the development of bilateral relations.

1992 - Trade and Co-operation Agreement between the EU and Albania. Albania becomes eligible for funding the Phare programme.

1991 – Diplomatic relations between Albania and the European Economic Community are established.