Kutse konverentsile „EL laienemine: strateegiline tegevuskava Euroopa tuleviku jaoks“ 28.-29. september 2026, Tirana



CONCEPT NOTE

CONFERENCE OF THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA WITH THE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES OF THE PARLIAMENTS OF EU MEMBER STATES AND CANDIDATE COUNTRIES
EU ENLARGEMENT: A STRATEGIC AGENDA FOR EUROPE’S FUTURE

Tirana, 28 – 29 September 2026

1. Context and purpose of the conference

The European Union enlargement process stands at a defining moment, shaped by a rapidly evolving geopolitical environment and the need to strengthen Europe’s unity, resilience and strategic capacity. In this context, enlargement is not only an institutional process, but a strategic investment in peace, stability, security and the future of the European project.

The integration of the Western Balkans and other candidate countries into the European Union represents a significant opportunity to consolidate a Europe based on shared values, democratic principles, the rule of law and stronger regional cooperation.

Albania is currently at an advanced stage of this historic journey. Through sustained political commitment, comprehensive reforms and alignment with European standards, Albania has made significant progress in its accession process, demonstrating its readiness to contribute as a future member of the European Union. The opening of all negotiating clusters within 13 months represents an important milestone and reflects the country’s determination to advance toward full membership.

Against this background, the Parliament of Albania will organize an Inter-Parliamentary Conference bringing together representatives of the European affairs committees of EU Member States, Western Balkan partners and candidate countries, including Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Türkiye, and European institutions. The Conference aims to provide a strategic platform for discussion on the future of EU enlargement, exchange parliamentary perspectives, strengthen cooperation among national parliaments and reaffirm the role of enlargement as a strategic driver of democratic transformation, stability, and European unity.

2. EU enlargement as a strategic priority for Europe’s future

Today’s security environment demonstrates that Europe’s challenges are increasingly interconnected. Geopolitical competition, regional instability, hybrid threats and global uncertainty underline the importance of a stronger, more united and resilient European Union.

Therefore, EU enlargement should be viewed as a strategic process that extends the area of peace, democracy and prosperity. A credible and effective enlargement policy strengthens Europe’s influence, reinforces democratic institutions and contributes to long-term stability across the continent.

For the Western Balkans and all candidate countries, European integration remains the most powerful framework for sustainable reforms, reconciliation and regional cooperation. Progress toward membership represents not only a national aspiration, but a shared European interest.

3. The historical dimension of Albania’s European integration and the embrace of fundamental European principles

Albania’s European integration is the result of a long historical process, marked by several political, economic and social challenges. During this journey, the country has revealed its consistent willingness to align itself with the fundamental values and principles upon which the EU is founded: democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and free market economy.

Albania’s European choice has been clear from the moment the Albanian people were able to freely determine their strategic orientation. This orientation represents not just a political aspiration, but a comprehensive, tangible and enduring commitment to the European Union’s core values and principles. It enjoys broad political and public support to become an active and contributing part of the European project.

4. Reforms and the framework of Albania-European Union relations

The European integration process has required and continues to require profound reforms in all sectors of state governance. These reforms have been reflected in and assessed through the principal instruments of cooperation between Albania and the European Union, including the 1992 Preferential Agreement, the Stabilization and Association Agreement, visa liberalisation for the Schengen area and the granting of the candidate country status.

The opening of accession negotiations for all the negotiating clusters marked a historic milestone in this process and provided clear evidence of Albania’s readiness to undertake serious and long-term reforms, in line with the Copenhagen Criteria. The screening process, as the first step in accession negotiations, was successfully completed in November 2023, demonstrating the capacity of Albania’s public administration. This process paved the way for the opening of accession negotiations in all clusters, beginning with Cluster I, “Fundamentals,” in October 2024 and concluding with Cluster V, “Agriculture, resources and cohesion,” in November 20251. Further, 8th meeting of the Accession Conference with Albania confirmed that Albania has, overall, met the interim benchmarks on cluster 1 “Fundamentals”, officially opening the way for the country to enter the closing phase of negotiations for EU membership2.

Parliament has contributed to the preparation of the Negotiating Positions for the opening of accession negotiations with the EU for each of the six clusters and their respective chapters, through the recommendations provided by the Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. Albania is focused on fulfilling EU membership standards and advancing to the provisional closure of negotiations on individual negotiating chapters.

5. The role of parliaments and inter-parliamentary cooperation

Parliaments have fundamental role in the enlargement process of the European Union, particularly in ensuring democratic legitimacy, ensuring the implementation of key reforms, overseeing the process of accession negotiations and strengthening institutional transparency and accountability.

The Parliament of Albania plays a key role in the EU accession process through its legislative function, adopting the legal acts necessary to align Albanian legislation with the EU acquis. Recent legislative amendments provide procedures to expedite the review of draft laws aimed at approximating European Union legislation, while safeguarding the quality of the lawmaking process. Parliament exercises democratic oversight over the work of the government, as well as over the activity and effectiveness of independent institutions in meeting the requirements of EU accession. Through the National Council for European Integration, Parliament serves as an inclusive platform for political dialogue and cooperation among the governing majority, the opposition and civil society. At the end of this journey, Parliament will have the historic responsibility of ratifying the Treaty of Albania’s Accession to the European Union.

In this spirit, the Conference aims to contribute to strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue on the European Union enlargement process, promote the exchange of experiences and parliamentary best practices in the field of European integration, and reaffirm the role of parliaments in safeguarding and promoting the fundamental principles and shared European values, to the function of a credible, inclusive and sustainable enlargement process.

6. Objectives of the Conference

The Conference aims to:
• strengthen political and parliamentary dialogue on the future of EU enlargement;
• exchange experiences and best practices among European affairs committees;
• discuss the strategic importance of integrating the Western Balkans and EU candidate countries into the European Union;
• highlight Albania’s progress and path to the European integration process;
• reaffirm the role of parliaments in advancing reforms, democratic resilience and European unity.

7. Participants

• Representatives of parliaments (Low Chambers and Senates) of EU member countries (6 representatives from “bicameral” parliaments and 3 representatives from “unicameral” parliaments, for every member country) members of Committees on European/Foreign Affairs,
• Representatives of the parliaments of Western Balkans countries,
• Representatives of the parliaments of EU candidate countries, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Türkiye,
• Representatives of European institutions,
• Representatives of diplomatic corps of the countries participating in the conference.

8. Conclusion

The Conference will provide an opportunity to reaffirm a shared commitment to a stronger, more united and more resilient Europe.

It will highlight that EU enlargement is a process of institutional accession- based on the criteria, reforms and merit- but also a strategic project for Europe’s future, in strengthening peace, stability, democratic values and cooperation across the continent.

Through this Conference, the Parliament of Albania aims to contribute to a forward-looking regional and European dialogue and demonstrate Albania’s commitment and readiness to become an active and responsible member of the European family.



Tentative Program

Inter-Parliamentary Conference on EU Enlargement: A Strategic Agenda for Europe’s Future
Tirana, 27 – 29 September 2026

Day One, 27 September:
• Arrival of Delegations
• Reception hosted by the Chair of Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Igli Hasani

Day Two, 28 September:
• Welcome remarks (TBD) by the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Niko Peleshi; Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama; Representative of the European Parliament; Representative of the European Commission; Representative of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
• Session I: “EU enlargement agenda and Albania’s path toward accession”, moderated by a representative of the Albanian Parliament.
• Session II: “Enlargement as a Strategic Driver for Reform, Stability and Security”, moderated by a representative of a Parliament of a candidate country.
• Session III: “Parliamentary Leadership and Engagement in Advancing European Integration”, moderated by a representative of the EU Parliament/Irish Presidency/ Parliament of a member state.

Day Three, 29 September:
• Dialogue with the business community in Albania to discuss challenges and opportunities towards Albania’s EU accession.
• Visit and lunch in an agrobusiness company.
• Departure of the Delegations.



Conference on
EU ENLARGEMENT and the Accession of Albania

Tirana 28 – 29 September 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION

Venue

Plenary Hall of the Parliament

Accommodation

The accommodation of the delegations will be covered by the Albanian Parliament for two nights.
The delegations are composed by 2 MP and 1 staff from each Committee. (Bicameral Parliaments, each chamber shall have its own delegation)
In case any delegation requests accommodation for more than 3 people, they will need to cover the costs of accommodation for additional persons.

Transport

Each delegation shall bear the travel costs from the origin country to Albania and back, as well as the transportation from the airport “Mother Teresa” to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport “Mother Teresa”.
The organiser will provide transportation from the hotel to the conference venue and other events organised.

Registration

We invite all participants to send the registration NO LATER THAN 24 July 2026 in the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/tzB7pPDADB

Registration (badges and files for the conference) of the participants will take place at the hotel hall or at the venue of the conference. The information desk at the Hotel Hall will be open from 18.00 – 19.00.

Language:

The official language of the conference will be English.

Wi-Fi

Internet will be provided during the Conference.

Family Photo

The family photo will be taken at the premises of the Conference.

Time Zone

In Albania, Central European time is used (GMT + 1 hour).

Currency

The currency is Albanian LEK. A wide range of credit and debit cards can be used.

Passport and visa

Participants from EU Member States, Great Britain and Western Balkan Countries and European Partnership Countries can stay in Albania with a valid passport without visa up to 90 days

Tourist Information

Get to know Albania on one click: https://albania.al/

Contacts

Mr. Denis Gila
Advisor – Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs
Mob/WhatsApp: +355 694585496
E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Altin Fuga
Advisor – Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs
Mob/WhatsApp: +355 692153680
Email: [email protected]