A2 CNN – Serbia, Albania and Montenegro. Where are we with EU integration – Details from Nirvana Deliu, September 16, 2025

Nirvana Deliu, Integration Expert, was invited to A2 CNN to talk about the process of opening Group Chapter 4. The expert said that so far, Albania has opened five out of six Clusters, where it is thought that the last one could be opened by the end of 2025. Albania has made progress in opening these group chapters in a short period of time. However, Deliu emphasized that the challenge for Albania remains the rule of law, the fight against corruption, human rights, the fight against organized crime, public procurement, as well as financial control, areas included in Cluster I, as they also affect other chapters.

Regarding Chapter 4, the European Union has set 22 benchmarks for Albania, which the latter must successfully fulfill. The main focus is on Chapter 27, since it has horizontal legislation. Deliu further stated that the closure of negotiations by 2027 constitutes a challenging and dynamic process. But the circumstances that have favoured Albania to be as close as possible to the European Union are different, including Russia’s War with Ukraine. In the Western Balkans region, Albania has also advanced, having only Montenegro in front of it and leaving Serbia and North Macedonia behind. It should be noted that the priority for each candidate country to be part of the European Union is the absence of problems both internally and externally.

A2 CNN – Serbia, Albania and Montenegro. Where are we with EU integration – Details from Nirvana Deliu, September 16, 2025