There were debates in the Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs during the hearing with Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka, where the opposition and the majority exchanged accusations over Albania's EU integration process.
DP MP Jorida Tabaku accused the government that the report submitted on the integration process contained more lists of laws than concrete results and quality standards of reforms. According to her, the Assembly should not function as a “law factory”, but as an institution that guarantees the quality and implementation of reforms.
During the meeting, Tabaku raised concerns about the justice system, stating that it takes Albanian citizens over 5,000 days to receive justice in the Court of Appeal. She also touched on corruption and public procurement procedures, noting that Albania has suffered a decline in international rankings and that a large portion of tenders are concentrated in a few companies.
The Democratic MP also accused the government of a lack of transparency in controversial laws, such as the one on ports and strategic investments, while saying that the opposition has been left out of decision-making processes. According to her, the integration process cannot be developed unilaterally.
"This process requires two parties, it cannot be done with one party," declared Tabaku, calling for broader inclusion of the opposition, experts, and civil society in the negotiating groups.
On the other hand, the leader of the socialist parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, responded by accusing the opposition of "praying" for Albania's failure in the European integration process.
Balla praised the work of the negotiating team and said that Albania has made record progress in negotiations with the European Union. He reiterated the majority's objective of concluding the negotiations by the end of 2027 and preparing the country for participation in the 2029 European elections.
The socialist also criticized the opposition MPs for the way, according to him, they handle the parliamentary process and laws related to the approximation of legislation with the EU.
"There are those who pray that Albania will fail. Albania will be a member of the European Union," Balla declared during the debate in the committee.
The hearing took place within the framework of the government's reporting on Albania's EU membership and integration process for 2025 and the period January-April 2026.
