Follow up to T10-0155/2025

Follow-up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Albania

Rapporteur: Andreas SCHIEDER (S&D / AT)

Reference number: 2025/2017(INI) / A10-0106/2025 / P10_TA(2025)0155

Date of adoption of the resolution: 9 July 2025

Competent Parliamentary Committee: Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:

The report welcomes the Albania’s steadfast commitment to EU integration, highlighting the broad political and public support behind this goal. It commends Albania’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and its role in upholding the international rules-based order. The report acknowledges Albania’s ambition to conclude accession negotiations by 2027, and the progress made in opening multiple negotiating clusters. At the same time, it urges the country to accelerate reforms in key areas such as the rule of law, anti-corruption, media freedom, and protection of fundamental rights.

The report underscores the importance of overcoming political polarisation and building inclusive political dialogue. It raises concerns over foreign malign influence, media freedom deterioration, and the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) against journalists and activists. It calls for greater protections for journalists and a stronger role for civil society in the EU integration process. On fundamental rights, it stresses the need for Albania to enhance its legal and institutional response to gender-based violence, protect the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and combat discrimination.

In the areas of justice and the rule of law, the report highlights persistent political interference in the judiciary and calls for urgent action to guarantee its independence and integrity. It presses for continued alignment of Albanian legislation with the EU acquis, particularly in fighting organised crime, cyber threats, and human trafficking. On socio-economic matters, the report praises Albania’s commitment to EU-led growth plans and structural reforms, while urging improvements in social protection, education, and public services. It also stresses that significant efforts are still needed to align with EU environmental standards and to promote sustainable development and energy transition.

Response to requests and overview of action taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:

On paragraph 9 on monitoring Albania’s exposure to foreign malign influence, the Commission coordinates with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and specifically the EU Hybrid Fusion Cell, which analyses hybrid threats, and the EEAS stratcom Western Balkans Task Force (WBTF) monitors Kremlin-aligned narratives and other state-sponsored propaganda targeting Western Balkans partners and works with – among others – EUvsDisinfo, a platform that identifies and debunks disinformation, particularly of Russian origin. Albania adopted a national strategy on all forms of interference in democratic processes including disinformation on 3 July, which the Commission supported through Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX). The EU-Albania Security and Defence Partnership also includes cooperation on cybersecurity. In addition, through the Instrument for pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) III funds and the Neighbourhood, Development International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) rapid response pillar, the EU supports Albania’s cybersecurity capabilities, institutional framework, as well as its responsiveness and incident coordination.

On paragraph 41 on the establishment of a framework for effective cooperation between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the candidate countries, the Commission supports and encourages bilateral cooperation agreements between the EPPO and candidate countries like Albania. In this context, Albania signed a bilateral working arrangement with EPPO, which allows for exchange of information on criminal cases involving EU funds; coordination of investigations related to fraud, corruption, and misuse of EU pre-accession assistance (IPA III and the Reform and Growth Facility); operational contacts between EPPO prosecutors and Albanian authorities, including SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Structure).

On paragraph 56 on addressing the Vlora airport issue as part of the environmental chapter in accession talks (Chapter 27), the Commission recalled to the Albanian authorities that infrastructure investments in protected areas need to go through rigorous environmental assessments and public consultations well before taking the decision to implement them. The EU has raised the issue of large investments in protected areas in the last Annual Reports, and specifically the issue of the construction of the Vlora Airport within the Vjosa-Narta Protected Area. The Commission has likewise raised these environmental concerns within the framework of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The EU has reiterated in all its reports and meetings on this issue, that the industrial investments in protected areas should not be done in contradiction with existing national laws for protected areas and with international conventions on biodiversity protection that Albania has ratified (e.g. Bern Convention). Albania is not yet bound by EU legislation, and the Commission is thus unable to take any legal action regarding complaints of non-compliance with the EU acquis. However, under the EU-Albania SAA, it has committed to gradually align its legislation with the relevant environmental EU acquis, including provisions which relate to environmental impact assessments, water management and nature protection. This process is supported and monitored by the Commission. The Commission will continue to closely follow the developments in this area and to address these matters with the Albanian authorities.

Regarding paragraph 59 on strengthened EU support for regional security initiatives that enhance stability and resilience across the Western Balkans, the EU and Albania recently adopted a Security and Defence Partnership establishing a platform for enhanced dialogue and cooperation on security and defence issues. Building on first bilateral assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth EUR 13 million to support the Albanian Armed Forces and strengthen their operational effectiveness, mobility and protection, the EU has just approved a second bilateral measure worth EUR 15 million EU-funded multi-country programmes benefiting Albania also aim to prepare for and implement policies to reintegrate Western Balkan returnees from conflict zones, promote regional peacebuilding and conflict prevention, including through EU4Security, support civil protection and disaster risk management, and reduce chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) risks.