Accession of the Republic of Albania to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters

Question for oral answer O-000001/2026

to the Commission

Rule 142

Ilhan Kyuchyuk on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs

Subject: Accession of the Republic of Albania to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters

On 13 February 2025, the Republic of Albania deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (the Judgments Convention)1. The Convention, which has already been ratified or acceded to by several third countries, will enter into force for Albania on 1 March 2026, as communicated by the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

In accordance with Article 29(2) of the Judgments Convention, the EU may notify the depositary, within the time limits provided under the Convention, i.e. by 13 February 2026, that Albania’s ratification does not have the effect of establishing treaty relations between the EU and Albania. If no such notification is issued, that is, if the EU tacitly accepts Albania’s accession, the Convention will begin to apply between the EU and Albania as from the date of its entry into force for Albania.

Parliament understands that the Commission’s initial assessment of Albania’s accession is positive and that the Commission would be in favour of tacitly accepting it. However, the significance of private international law rules for EU citizens in this area has both political and legal implications, not only for judicial cooperation but also in the broader context of EU-Western Balkans relations and Albania’s status as an EU candidate country.

While respecting each institution’s prerogatives and Parliament’s consistent position2 regarding third country accessions to the Judgments Convention, a statement by Parliament would enable the Commission to tacitly accept Albania’s accession to the Convention on the EU’s behalf under the relevant provisions of the Convention.

1. Given the timelines laid down in the Judgments Convention, the need for the EU institutions to act without delay to ascertain the EU’s acceptance of Albania’s accession, and Parliament’s intention to make an appropriate statement in this regard, could the Commission confirm its assessment of Albania’s accession to the Convention?

2. Having regard to the commitments made by the Commission concerning third countries’ accession to international conventions and respect for Article 218(6) Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union3, what concrete steps does the Commission intend to take to ensure that third countries’ accession to the Judgments Convention are always fully and formally respected under the Treaties with respect for each EU institution’s prerogatives?

Submitted: 21.1.2026

Lapses: 22.4.2026