The European Council reported that the fourth Accession Conference with Albania at ministerial level opened negotiations on Cluster 2, Internal market, and set benchmarks for the provisional closure of the chapters covered by this cluster. Cluster 2 encompasses negotiating chapters on the free movement of goods, workers and capital, the right of establishment and freedom to provide services, company law, intellectual property law, competition policy, financial services, and consumer and health protection. The meeting took place in Luxembourg under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the EU delegation led by Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and the Albanian delegation led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Monitoring of Albania’s alignment with and implementation of the EU acquis and relevant European standards will continue throughout the negotiations, and the Accession Conference will return to this cluster at an appropriate moment.
European Council 2025-04-14
European Council opens EU accession negotiations with Albania on the Internal Market cluster including financial services
The European Council initiated negotiations on Cluster 2, Internal Market, with Albania during the fourth Accession Conference at the ministerial level. This cluster includes chapters on free movement, company law, competition policy, and financial services. Ongoing monitoring of Albania's alignment with EU standards will continue throughout the negotiations.