Albania

9th Accession Conference provisionally closing chapters 25, 26 and 30.

Chapter 25 – Science and Research
Chapter 26 – Education and Culture
Chapter 30 – External Relations

8th Accession Conference setting the Closing Benchmarks for the Rule of Law under Cluster 1 – Fundamentals.

7th Accession Conference opening negotiations on Cluster 5 – Resources, agriculture and cohesion.

Albania receives funds under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.

Accession Conference opening negotiations on Cluster 4 – Green agenda and sustainable connectivity.

Accession Conference opening negotiations on Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Accession Conference opening negotiations on Cluster 2 – Internal market.

Accession Conference opening negotiations on Cluster 6 – External relations.

Albania joins the geographical scope of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) schemes.

European Commission approves Albania’s Reform Agenda.

Accession Conference opening negotiations on Cluster 1 – Fundamentals.

Completion of the screening process.

First explanatory screening meeting on Cluster 6 – “External Relations”

Final bilateral screening meeting on cluster 4 – “Green agenda, sustainable connectivity”

First explanatory screening meeting on Cluster 5 – Resources, agriculture, cohesion

Submission of the screening report on Cluster 1 – “Fundamentals” to the Council

Final bilateral screening meeting on cluster 3 – “Competitiveness, inclusive growth”

First explanatory screening meeting on Cluster 4 – “Green agenda, sustainable connectivity”

Final bilateral screening meeting on cluster 2 “Internal market”

Final bilateral screening meeting on cluster 1 “fundamentals”

First explanatory screening meeting on Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and inclusive growth

First explanatory screening meeting on Cluster 2 – Internal market

First explanatory screening meeting on Cluster 1 – Fundamentals

Inaugural meeting of the screening process

Intergovernmental Conference on accession negotiations with Albania.

Commission informs Council that Albania has met the remaining condition to be fulfilled prior to the holding of the first Inter-Governmental Conference

Commission adopts an Economic & Investment Plan to support and bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU.

Presentation of the draft negotiating framework to the Member States.

The Council decides to open accession negotiations.

Revised methodology

Revised methodology, presented by the Commission, to drive forward the enlargement process with a stronger political steer and in a more credible, predictable, dynamic way.

The European Commission recommends opening accession negotiations.

The Council sets out the path towards opening accession negotiations.

The Commission repeats its unconditional recommendation to open accession negotiations.

The Council granted the candidate status to Albania in June 2014.

The EU and Albania hold the first meeting of the High Level Dialogue on Key Priorities.

European Commission recommends that Albania be granted EU candidate status, subject to completion of key measures in certain areas.

An action plan addressing the 12 key priorities identified in the European Commission opinion is adopted by Albania.

Visa free regime for Schengen area introduced for all Albanian citizens having a biometric passport.

European Commission delivers opinion on Albania’s EU membership application.

Albania submits its application for EU membership.

Stabilisation and association agreement enters into force.

EU-Albania visa facilitation agreement enters into force.

IPA funds available to help Albania prepare for membership.

Interim agreement enters into force.

Stabilisation and Association Agreement and Interim Agreement is signed.

EU-Albania Readmission Agreement enters into force.

Council adopts European partnership with Albania.