MCN – Gjipali: Risk of Clusters’ turning to point zero, very distant for Albania, 11 February 2026

Invited on MCN studio, the Executive Director of European Movement in Albania (EMA) and the Expert of European Integration , Mr. Gledis Gjipali, commented on the meeting between  Prime Minister Edi Rama and the President of European Council, António Costa, and highlighted  that this meeting was informal and without a press conference, for this reason there is  lack of information.

Mr.Gjipali explained the New Enlargement Methodology and the expectations  for receiving the IBAR report (Interim Benchmark Assessment Report) and its importance for the Chapters 23 and 24, and for Cluster – Fundamentals, where approval of this report will be required to close the other negotiation chapters. Also it was highlighted that Albania is not  at risk from this methodology, but that the process needs to be accelerated rather than slowed down. Meanwhile, the political situation could endanger this process, only if there is a blockage of this process in relation to issues that justice will need to resolve.

In the interview, Mr. Gjipali expressed his belief that Albania will receive the evaluation report regardless of the timing. If there are problems, there will be official reactions.

MCN – Gjipali: Risk of Clusters’ turning to point zero, very distant for Albania, 11 February 2026