Tirana/Brussels, 09 October 2026, dtt-net.com – 27 governments of EU member states have agreed to close later this month another negotiating chapter in membership talks of Albania, Albanian head of government said.
Edi Rama said that green light to close chapter 20 (Enterprise and industrial policy) was given, following a meeting of representatives of EU governments in Brussels.
“ALBANIA CLOSES FOURTH CHAPTER, countdown to historical objective begins. The EU green light for the closure of Chapter 20 negotiations strengthens the perspective for investments, innovation, competitiveness and employment,” Rama wrote through social media today.
Albania has so far opened all 33 negotiating chapters in the short period of 15 months since late 2024, and closed 3 chapters so far. Albanian government hopes to close accession talks by 2028 and join the EU by 2030.
The frontrunner, Montenegro is set to close at least 2 negotiating chapter this month, EU sources told dtt-net.com earlier this month.
Sources said that talks are going well mainly about chapter 18 (Statistics) and 19 (Social policy and employment) for Montenegro, aiming to be closed this and “potentially” more.
When it comes to chapter 14 (transport policy) no move is done so far, nor expected any time soon, as Croatia is blocking it because of unsolved bilateral disputes, with the maritime border disagreements about Kotor Bay at the centre of disputes.
Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiating chapters and closed 18 so far. As two chapters are automatically closed without talks, it has to close another 15.
The government in Podgorica hopes to close all remaining chapters later this year, hoping that the country will become member of the EU in 2028, provided that the disputes with Croatia are not prolonged further.