The EU’s plan to close negotiations with Albania: October 6 at the Commission, October 15 at the EU leaders’ table

What had until now been an ambition expressed by Tirana to close accession negotiations has officially become the EU’s ambition. POLITICO, which has analyzed the European Commission’s statement on special plans for Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova, with objectives, reforms and approximate deadlines for concluding negotiations, says these plans mark the EU’s first practice of providing security that, against the backdrop of essential reforms, deadlines will be accepted and warning timelines offered for concluding the talks.

Referring to two senior European Commission officials, POLITICO reports that the roadmaps will define more clearly what each candidate country must fulfill, which reforms must be implemented and within what timeframes membership talks can be closed.

The Commission aims for these plans to give the most advanced countries a predictable path toward concluding negotiations, if they implement 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 the Union’s structures and policies.

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

At this stage, roadmaps are not foreseen for Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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