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Minister Ferit Hoxha denies that Albania's EU membership process has been blocked: But... it is the member states that decide our fate

2026-03-31 15:30:33Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

In an assessment of Albania's current European integration process, our country's former ambassador to the Albanian mission to the EU in Brussels, Ferit Hoxha, now Minister of Foreign Affairs, says that our country is in an advanced phase of closing chapters, but it is the member states that will have the last word.

" Reforms are our password to enter the European family ," says Ferit Hoxha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who, in response to several questions from Top Channel journalist Muhamed Veliu, via email, rejects claims of a blockage in the closing of the chapters opened by Albania with the European Commission.

Muhamed Veliu: Has the negotiation process for Albania been blocked within the framework of the IBAR review in Brussels, as claimed in political statements in recent days?

Ferit Hoxha: Thank you Mr. Veliu for this opportunity. I would like to clearly separate political statements, which have a well-known approach and are part of the dynamics of political debate in Albania, as well as the positions of the media, which is free and contributes to the broad public discussion, from the concrete reality of the process and its mechanics.

I say this with conviction and responsibility, based on direct information: no, in no way can there be talk of any blockage of the process. The process of negotiations for membership in the European Union is, in itself, complex, both technical and political, and develops according to its own dynamics. It requires the necessary time, consistency and, above all, confirmed and measurable results.

Albania today is in the most advanced phase of this process ever, and is widely considered, and this is not our assessment, as a vanguard country, with clear progress recognized by our European partners.

The very fact that we have advanced at an unusually rapid pace in opening chapters and fulfilling obligations demonstrates a new level of seriousness and institutional capacity. The discussions taking place in Brussels, including those on the IBAR report, are an integral part of this journey and should not be interpreted as obstacles, but as mechanisms that guarantee the quality, sustainability of reforms and the credibility of the enlargement process.

You mentioned political statements. I do not intend to retort to anyone, but I want to emphasize some essential facts that are often missing in this debate. Albania is the first country, and so far the only one, to undergo the IBAR process according to the new methodology, which has set a clear standard: without passing the IBAR “exam”, the phase of closing chapters cannot begin. Being the first, we are inevitably also a reference point for the very functioning of this methodology.

I would also like to recall that in the space of one year, Albania has undertaken an extraordinary, also unprecedented, effort to address 92 gaps identified within chapters 23 and 24 of the “Fundamentals” chapter group, which constitute the core of the IBAR report. This is not simply a technical figure, but concrete evidence of a deep reform work, affecting justice, public administration, the fight against illegality, the rule of law in general, as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms. The fulfillment of these requirements clearly shows that Albania is no longer in the phase of declarative commitments, but in the phase of measurable results.

On the other hand, the very fact that the report is on the Council's table shows that it is considered stable and credible. Detailed scrutiny by member states is standard practice and part of a rigorous process that aims to guarantee the quality of enlargement. So, what is happening is a normal, expected process and in line with the advanced stage Albania is in today.

In this context, it is important to emphasize that Albania has already built a consolidated profile as a serious, reliable and predictable partner, and this is clearly reflected in the support it enjoys both in European institutions and in member states.

Muhamed Veliu: How does the Ministry assess the continuation of the integration process for Albania during this year?

Ferit Hoxha: The European integration process is not a temporary project, it is a strategic choice, an irreversible orientation and, above all, a vital interest for Albania and for Albanian citizens, beyond any political division.

Albania has long since passed the stage of long and often unjustified waiting. Today, more than ever, our country is clearly positioned on a concrete trajectory towards membership. There is no realistic scenario in which Albania would “abandon” this process or have the door closed due to the difficulties of an extremely demanding process, significantly more demanding than in previous enlargement phases, or due to media interpretations.

On the contrary, the reality is that the process is moving forward and is more consolidated than ever before. Albania is working on a structured basis, with concrete plans and clear deadlines, harmonizing legislation, strengthening institutions and raising standards in every field. This is an irreversible process, because it is not simply a political objective, but a profound state and social transformation.

I have said it and I repeat it: the meetings take place in Brussels, but the reforms are done in Albania; the assessments are done there, but the results and benefits are here, for the Albanian citizens, for all of us. European integration is a long-term investment in functional democracy, a competitive economy and sustainable institutions. This is the essence of membership.

It is also important to understand that the current geopolitical context has made enlargement a strategic priority for the European Union itself. In this context, countries that demonstrate real progress and credibility, like Albania, no longer have just a perspective: they have a real window of opportunity to advance further that must be exploited to the fullest, as we are doing every hour and every day.

Therefore, instead of questioning the continuity of the process, the focus should be on accelerating reforms and consolidating results. Nothing can and should not stop this path. On the contrary, every challenge should serve as an impetus to move forward faster and with more determination.

Muhamed Veliu: Can you tell us when IBAR is expected to be approved?

Ferit Hoxha: Neither I nor anyone else in Albania can give an exact date, because this is a decision-making process that belongs to the member states of the European Union. It is based on their internal assessments, analyses and processes.

We are not yet at the table where these decisions are made, which is exactly where we are working to be. We are engaged in a process that is based on merit, and the path to that table is through deep reforms and concrete results. Reforms are our password to enter the European family.

However, what I can say with conviction is that Albania is on the right track. We have full confidence in the quality of the work done, in the cooperation with our partners and in the seriousness of the process. Every step we have taken to date has been in the service of building a sustainable and credible process.

Albania will continue to do everything it can to deserve its place in the European Union, through real reforms, through tangible results, and through an unwavering institutional and political commitment.

This is a path that requires patience, but above all, it requires determination. And today, Albania has both.


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