The need to speed up reforms in the rule of law and in the fight against corruption and organized crime is highlighted by the European Commission’s annual report on the accession process of Albania and North Macedonia.

For Albania, the European Commission welcomes the opening of accession negotiations on the first set of chapters on fundamental rights and the rule of law at the second intergovernmental conference held on 15 October 2024. It is stressed, however, that it is vital that the Albanian authorities further step up the pace of EU-led reforms, in particular on the rule of law, the effective fight against corruption and organized crime and the promotion of fundamental rights, including freedom of the media, property rights and minorities.

The Commission points out that the implementation of the legal framework for minorities remains weak. The legal framework for minorities is aligned with European standards, but its implementation is pending, in particular with regard to the identification of national minorities, according to the standards of self-determination and the use of minority languages.

Implementation efforts should also be stepped up with regard to the protection of property rights and the rights of persons belonging to minorities, the Commission’s report emphasizes. The right to property should be guaranteed, in particular, with regard to first registration and compensation, by improving the transparency of the state land registry and the quality of land registry data and ensuring the right to a fair trial and effective remedies in cases of expropriation and removal of assets.

For North Macedonia, the Commission stresses that the country must continue to implement EU-related reforms, in particular in relation to fundamental rights, the judicial system and the fight against corruption and organized crime. He also emphasizes that confidence in the judicial system must be strengthened.

As far as good neighborly relations are concerned, the Commission stresses that: “Existing bilateral agreements, including the Prespa agreement between Greece and North Macedonia and the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, must be implemented in good faith faith from all quarters.”

In particular for North Macedonia’s relations with Greece, the Commission underlines the importance of tangible results and good faith implementation of the Prespa Agreement. The Commission notes that last May, while being sworn in to Parliament, the new President of North Macedonia referred to the country as “Macedonia”, rather than using the country’s constitutional name, and the same practice was subsequently followed by several government officials.

Finally, the report emphasizes that Greece and North Macedonia have strengthened their cooperation for the construction of the natural gas interconnection pipeline and in relation to the Liquefied Gas (LNG) Terminal in Alexandroupolis.