The Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, remains one of the key points on which the European Union will assess the progress of Albania's accession negotiations. The Council of the EU, in its latest report on the country, emphasizes that progress in the rule of law and concrete results in the fight against corruption, especially at high levels, will determine the overall pace of the process.
The report assesses the progress of the justice reform and underlines the need to preserve the integrity, independence and accountability of the judicial system, including directly SPAK and the special courts. According to the EU, these structures must be protected from any political or institutional interference, as their unimpeded functioning constitutes real proof of the will to eradicate corruption and organised crime.
The message from Brussels is clear: legal reforms are no longer enough. Progress is measured by concrete actions and decisions. In this context, SPAK is seen as the most direct test of Albania's commitment to the rule of law and as a determining factor for the opening and closing of negotiation chapters.
Below is the full report for Albania:
1. The Council welcomes the significant progress achieved by Albania, which has led to the opening of all negotiating groups. The Council welcomes the government's ambitious plan for the successful conclusion of the accession negotiations and encourages all political forces and stakeholders to step up their efforts and work together to ensure further progress.
2. The Council recalls the essential role of the Albanian Parliament in debating and adopting EU-related reforms and ensuring that they are based on an inclusive, constructive and transparent process.
3. The Council underlines that progress on the Core Set will determine the overall pace of the negotiations. The Council encourages Albania to intensify reform on the Core Set, in particular to complete the fulfilment of the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law, which would allow Albania to start the provisional closure of the negotiating chapters. Albania should also step up work on fulfilling the closing benchmarks in all negotiating chapters.
4. The Council notes positively the continued implementation of the justice reform by Albania and underlines the need to preserve the integrity and accountability of the judiciary, its independence and to strengthen the sustainability of the justice system, including SPAK.
5. The Council welcomes the progress made in strengthening fundamental rights, but stresses the need for more efforts on media freedom, pluralism, its independence and the creation of a safe environment for journalists.
6. The Council notes that the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2025 were competitive, despite shortcomings, and calls for comprehensive electoral reform in line with the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.
7. The Council recognises progress on migration and border management, calling for further improvements on asylum and full harmonisation with EU visa policy.
8. The Council welcomes Albania's good level of preparation for a functioning market economy and encourages the acceleration of structural reforms.
9. The Council supports Albania's gradual integration into the EU internal market and assesses the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
10. The Council appreciates Albania's commitment to regional cooperation and good neighborly relations.
11. The Council commends Albania for its full compliance with the EU's Foreign and Security Policy and its engagement in its missions.
