Ambassadors of the 27 European Union member states have officially approved the provisional draft of the EU Common Position (EUCP), confirming that the eighth Intergovernmental Conference with Albania will take place on May 26, 2026, at 19:00 in Brussels.

The meeting is expected to mark a major milestone in Albania’s European Union accession process, formally confirming that the country has fulfilled the interim benchmarks for Cluster 1 – “Fundamentals” – and establishing the closing benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24, covering Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, as well as Justice, Freedom and Security.

The conference will also assess Albania’s progress in key areas including the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, and economic governance criteria.

According to the decision, Albania has successfully met the interim conditions required under the “Fundamentals” cluster, opening the path toward the closing phase of EU membership negotiations.

The move is being described as one of the most important developments in Albania’s accession talks with the European Union, reflecting what EU officials consider steady progress in strengthening the rule of law, consolidating democratic institutions, and advancing reforms tied to European standards.

The decision recognizes Albania’s progress in judicial reform and highlights improvements in the independence, efficiency, and integrity of justice institutions, as well as efforts in combating corruption and organized crime.

It also acknowledges advances in the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression and media freedom, property rights, minority rights, equality, and non-discrimination, in line with the European Union’s core values and legal standards.

Today’s approval also reaffirms the European Union’s continued support for Albania’s European future and praises the commitment of Albanian institutions to implementing transformative reforms aimed at strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and sustainable economic and social development.

Building on the progress achieved so far and guided by a clear European vision, Albania says it remains committed to deepening reforms in the areas of judiciary and fundamental rights, justice and security, public procurement, statistics, and financial control, while advancing steadily toward full European Union membership within this decade.

Officials have described the EU integration process as Albania’s “Major National Project of European Transformation.”