Vizion+ / ABC News / A2CNN: Deliu- The further opening of Clusters negotiations indicates progress in reforms, 15 October 2024

The integration expert at EMA, Nirvana Deliu, emphasizes the importance of holding the Second Intergovernmental Conference, which marks a significant phase in the process of Albania’s integration into the European Union. Deliu highlights that this process is long, challenging, and technical, involving many actors, including the European Commission and the EU Member States. She mentions the opening of Cluster I, which includes five fundamental chapters that require deep reforms in the functioning of democracy and governance policies. This cluster will be monitored throughout the process and will be the last to be closed in the negotiating process, having a direct impact on its progress. Deliu stresses that judicial reform is a key point for this Cluster, and that it is necessary for Albania to demonstrate progress in this area to advance with the negotiations. Deliu also explains that the opening of Clusters does not have a specific order and, consequently, they may be opened depending on progress, as is the case with Cluster 6 regarding foreign relations and security and defense policies, where Albania has shown progress and a good preparation plan. The provisional closing of Clusters is a delicate phase that requires meeting certain closing criteria, and the closure may not be final, as there may be a reopening in case of regression. Regarding the remaining issues, they include clusters with focus on the economy, the free movement of goods, consumer protection, agriculture, food security, and the environment, which require high expertise and significant economic costs, making it necessary for Albania to prepare for these challenges.

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