This afternoon in Brussels, the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the European Union was held, marking the official opening of accession negotiations for eight new chapters under Cluster 3: “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth.” This represents another historic milestone in Albania’s path toward EU membership.

Present at the conference, Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, commented on the development:

“A new cornerstone laid with the official opening of Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth – during the Fifth Intergovernmental Conference held in Brussels. The opening of eight new chapters today reflects Albania’s merit-based progress and is a clear sign of how much we have achieved in such a short time,” said Hasani.

He emphasized that Albania’s journey toward the EU has never been clearer or more determined.

Cluster 3 includes the following eight chapters:

• Chapter 10: Digital Transformation and Media

• Chapter 16: Taxation

• Chapter 17: Economic and Monetary Policy

• Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

• Chapter 20: Enterprise and Industrial Policy

• Chapter 25: Science and Research

• Chapter 26: Education and Culture

• Chapter 29: Customs Union

Progress in these areas is essential to ensure fiscal stability, industrial modernization, increased innovation, improved working conditions, and Albania’s participation in European scientific research, education, and digitalization initiatives.

With the opening of this cluster, Albania moves closer to realizing the “Albania 2030” vision, where the benefits and outcomes of EU integration are directly felt in everyday life—through better services, greater well-being, and sustainable development for Albanian citizens.