Brussels, 27 April 2026, dtt-net.com – After 13 months of opening all 33 negotiating chapters in EU accession negotiations, the accelerated rhythm of Albania talks with the European bloc is slowing slowed down, as no new move is made for five months already. Albania opened first negotiating chapters in October 2024 and in November 2025 opened all of them. But since then, it has not closed any, as 27 member states and the European Commission are undergoing assessment of reforms known as Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR) aimed at a common position between EU governments before any further steps are decided.
“Discussions are evolving on the EU ‘draft interim Common Position’ which is based on the IBAR. More meetings to follow in the coming days and weeks to reach an agreement on the EUCP at COELA level. More details can’t be shared at this stage as we are in the middle of negotiations,” an EU official told dtt-net.com two weeks ago when asked of state of play of negotiations within the EU.
The slow down comes at the moment when the European Commission and some member states have expressed concern over Prime Minister Edi Rama refusal to lift immunity of indicted former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Belinda Balluku, who is charged by the prosecution of breaches of law related to two tenders in construction sector and is being investigated over several others.
The European Commission (EC) and German Embassy in Tirana last month addressed criticism to Rama and his Socialist Party (PS) for refusing to implement a request of special prosecution against organized crime (SPAK) to lift Balluku’s parliamentary immunity
“Ensuring a conducive environment for SPAK to effectively carry out its work is essential to credibly sustain Albania’s progress towards EU membership,” an EC spokesperson said, following the negative vote in the tense parliament’s session of March 13.
Germany’s embassy made the same reaction same day.
“Germany supports the process of Albania’s integration into the European Union in accordance with the wishes of the Albanians. A necessary condition for making progress in this merit-based process is the effective prosecution of corruption, even in high-ranking cases. Our clear expectation is that even in these cases, criminal prosecution through justice can be carried out quickly and without obstacles. Albanian politics is still being asked to guarantee this process,” the German embassy in Tirana reacted.
There is still no conclusion of members states negotiations over Albania’s IBAR report a month after consultations started.
