Integration: Brussels’ plan to close accession talks with Albania revealed — October 6 at the Commission, October 15 at the summit table

What has until now been an ambition expressed by Tirana for closing the membership negotiations has officially become the EU’s ambition too.

POLITICO, which analyzed the European Commission’s statement on the special plans for Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova — with approximate objectives, reforms and deadlines for concluding the negotiations — says these plans mark the EU’s first practice of offering, in the face of essential reforms, warning deadlines for completing the talks.

Citing two senior Commission officials, POLITICO reports that the roadmaps will define more clearly what each candidate country must deliver, which reforms must be carried out, and within what deadlines the membership talks could be closed.

The Commission aims for these plans to give the most advanced countries a predictable path toward concluding the negotiations — if they carry out the required reforms.

The initiative is also linked to a broader review of enlargement policy. According to the first draft of the document seen by POLITICO, enlargement is viewed as a “geopolitical necessity,” while the negotiation period should be used for the gradual integration of candidate countries into Union structures and policies.

The document will be presented to senior officials on October 6, while EU leaders are expected to discuss enlargement at the October 15 summit.

At this stage, no roadmaps are foreseen for Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to visit Albania and other Western Balkan countries this week.