The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved Albania’s 2025 progress report with 58 votes in favor, highlighting the country’s steady advancement toward European Union membership while calling for more sustained and comprehensive reforms.

The report, prepared by the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, acknowledges the country’s progress in key areas of the accession process but stresses that reforms must go further and have a tangible impact on citizens’ daily lives.

“First of all, I would like to thank all shadow rapporteurs for the very efficient, constructive and successful negotiations. Secondly, I want to underline that Albania is considered by our Commissioner as one of the two frontrunners in the enlargement process,” Schieder said. He added that the report aims not only to reflect the European Commission’s findings but also to emphasize that reforms should translate into real improvements for citizens, particularly in the social sphere.

The report also highlights Albania’s strong commitment to EU integration, noting broad political consensus across parties and solid public support for membership.

Within just 13 months, Albania has opened all negotiation clusters related to accession talks and has taken significant steps in judicial reform. Particular recognition is given to the work of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), seen as a key pillar in strengthening the rule of law.

However, the report identifies electoral reform as a priority area, calling for improvements in line with recommendations from international bodies, including the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

It also commends Albania’s alignment with the EU’s foreign policy and its role in promoting regional stability, underlining that cooperation with other Western Balkan countries remains essential to the enlargement process.

The approval of the report is viewed as a positive signal for Albania’s EU path, while reinforcing the need for continued reform efforts to meet membership criteria.