Minister Sikorski chaired the meeting on behalf of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos represented the European Commission, while Albania’s delegation was headed by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Opening Cluster 2 will accelerate the implementation of regulations bringing Albania closer to the single market and its four fundamental freedoms: free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. The necessary reforms will allow for a greater economic convergence with the EU, thus creating more trade opportunities and increasing Albania’s attractiveness for investors.

“Opening negotiations on the single market is vital for Albania’s integration with the EU. I would like to congratulate Albania on the progress made as regards the reforms, and on staying the course of European integration,” said the chief of Polish diplomacy. Minister Sikorski also referred to his last foreign visit of 2024, with Tirana as the destination. He underlined Albania’s position as a valued NATO partner, standing firmly by Ukraine’s side since the beginning of the Russian aggression. 

The foreign minister added that the EU enlargement is one of the priorities of the Polish Presidency. He expressed his hope for opening subsequent negotiation clusters with Albania as well as for progress on accession talks with other candidate countries. “The Polish Presidency has a highly ambitious agenda when it comes to the enlargement. I am counting that we will be able to organise Intergovernmental Conferences with Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and other candidate countries, as long as they fulfil the criteria and we are able to secure the current Member States’ unanimity on the matter. EU enlargement is of key strategic importance as it has an impact on building peace, stability and prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood.”