2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Albania

Amendments tabled for the plenary sitting on this text, in their own numbering series. This is a different set from the committee amendments tracked elsewhere on AmendEU, and is not counted in any of the site’s amendment totals.

1. Amendment 1S&DMotion for a resolution · Recital E
   Current text

   E. whereas Albania opened negotiations on ‘Cluster 1: Fundamentals’ on 15 October 2024 and on ‘Cluster 6: External Relations’ on 17 December 2024;

   Amendment

   E. whereas Albania opened negotiations on ‘Cluster 1: Fundamentals’ on 15 October 2024, on ‘Cluster 6: External Relations’ on 17 December 2024, on ‘Cluster 2: Internal market’ on 14 April 2025 and on ‘Cluster 3: Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth’ on 22 May 2025;

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2. Amendment 2S&DMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 2
   Current text

   2. Welcomes Albania’s ambition of closing accession negotiations by the end of 2027 and the swift progress made in recent years, notably the opening of two clusters of negotiating chapters in 2024; recalls that candidate countries undergo in-depth transformations to fulfil membership criteria during accession negotiations, which last as long as it takes to implement the necessary reforms; stresses the need to strengthen the transparency, accountability and inclusiveness of the accession process, including its parliamentary dimension; cautions against any actions that could undermine the system of checks and balances;

   Amendment

   2. Welcomes Albania’s ambition of closing accession negotiations by the end of 2027 and the swift progress made in recent years, notably the opening of two clusters of negotiating chapters in 2024 and two further clusters so far in 2025; recalls that candidate countries undergo in-depth transformations to fulfil membership criteria during accession negotiations, which last as long as it takes to implement the necessary reforms; stresses the need to strengthen the transparency, accountability and inclusiveness of the accession process, including its parliamentary dimension; cautions against any actions that could undermine the system of checks and balances;

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3. Amendment 3S&D, PPEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 12
   Current text

   12. Takes note of the July 2024 amendments to Albania’s electoral code, which enable out-of-country voting by the Albanian diaspora and introduce partially open candidate lists; takes note of the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2025 and underlines that, based on the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR, the elections were competitive and professionally conducted but took place in a highly polarised environment and contestants did not enjoy a level playing field; expresses concern that the ruling party benefited from the widespread use of administrative resources; calls on all parties to demonstrate political will for a comprehensive and inclusive electoral reform to implement all reco…

   Amendment

   12. Takes note of the July 2024 amendments to Albania’s electoral code, which enable out-of-country voting by the Albanian diaspora and introduce partially open candidate lists; takes note of the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2025 and underlines that, based on the preliminary conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR, the elections were competitive and professionally conducted but took place in a highly polarised environment and contestants did not enjoy a level playing field; expresses concern that the ruling party benefited from the widespread use of administrative resources; notes that the publication of the OSCE/ODIHR final report, which will include the final assessment and recommendations to b…

   Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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4. Amendment 4PfEMotion for a resolution · Recital C a (new)
   Amendment

   Ca. whereas Albanian criminal networks are heavily involved in trafficking weapons, including firearms and explosives, to the EU via the Balkan route; whereas these trafficking activities in the region exacerbate security concerns for the EU;

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5. Amendment 5PfEMotion for a resolution · Recital C b (new)
   Amendment

   Cb. whereas Albania is a significant producer of cannabis in Europe, with estimates suggesting that a large portion of the cannabis consumed in Europe is cultivated in Albania; whereas Albanian criminal networks are heavily involved in smuggling heroin, with Albania being a critical entry point for heroin that is later smuggled into the EU;

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6. Amendment 6PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 22 a (new)
   Amendment

   22a. Calls on Albania to fully respect the autonomy of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and refrain from any actions that undermine its freedom of religious expression or its property rights; calls for an end to interference in ecclesiastical appointments and for dialogue with religious authorities to safeguard religious pluralism;

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7. Amendment 7PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 23
   Current text

   23. Welcomes the adoption of the pending implementing legislation on the rights of persons belonging to minorities, specifically on self-identification and the use of minority languages, and underscores that these by-laws have to be fully and effectively implemented in order to render the exercise of minority and education rights feasible in practice; calls on the authorities to increase the capacity of the State Committee on National Minorities; expresses concern over persistent issues of discrimination and social exclusion affecting minority groups in Albania; calls on the Albanian Government to fully respect and protect human rights, including the rights of minorities, and to ensure that…

   Amendment

   23. Welcomes the adoption of the pending implementing legislation on the rights of persons belonging to minorities, specifically on self-identification and the use of minority languages, and underscores that these by-laws have to be fully and effectively implemented in order to render the exercise of minority and education rights feasible in practice; calls on the authorities to increase the capacity of the State Committee on National Minorities; expresses concern over persistent issues of discrimination and social exclusion affecting minority groups in Albania; calls on the Albanian Government to fully respect and protect human rights, including the rights of minorities, and to ensure that…

   Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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8. Amendment 8PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 23 a (new)
   Amendment

   23a. Calls on Albania to protect and preserve the religious and cultural heritage of the Greek Orthodox minority, including through the restoration and legal recognition of churches and cemeteries; calls on the authorities to refrain from expropriating or demolishing properties of historical or cultural significance to the Greek minority;

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9. Amendment 9PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 23 b (new)
   Amendment

   23b. Calls on Albania to fully respect the rights of the Greek national minority, including in the areas of education, language, religious freedom and property restitution, in line with its commitments under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and international conventions; stresses the need to ensure effective political participation, the protection of cultural heritage and the transparent resolution of long-standing property claims in regions traditionally inhabited by the Greek minority;

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10. Amendment 10PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 26
    Current text

    26. Commends the successful 2024 census held in an atmosphere of trust and transparency and its results; believes that Albania should serve as a positive model for conducting a population census in the region;

    Amendment

    26. Commends the successful 2024 census held in an atmosphere of trust and transparency and its results; believes that Albania should serve as a positive model for conducting a population census in the region;, expresses concern, however, about reports from the Greek minority of procedural irregularities during the 2024 census; calls on the Albanian authorities to comply with OSCE and Council of Europe standards;

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11. Amendment 11PfEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 58 a (new)
    Amendment

    58a. Calls on all political actors in Albania to unequivocally reject any form of historical revisionism or territorial claims against neighbouring countries; underlines that good neighbourly relations must be grounded in the inviolability of borders and in mutual respect;

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12. Amendment 12ESNMotion for a resolution · Recital A
    Current text

    A. whereas enlargement is the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and a geostrategic investment in long-term peace, democracy, stability and security throughout the continent;

    Amendment

    A. whereas cooperation, rather than enlargement, should be considered the most realistic and effective EU foreign policy instrument and a geostrategic investment in long-term peace, democracy, stability and security throughout the continent;

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13. Amendment 13ESNMotion for a resolution · Recital C
    Current text

    C. whereas enlargement is a merit-based process based on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights; whereas Albania’s EU accession depends on lasting, in-depth and irreversible reforms across fundamental areas, starting with the rule of law and the functioning of democratic institutions;

    Amendment

    C. whereas enlargement is a merit-based process based on democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and economic preparedness; whereas candidate countries must demonstrate stable democratic institutions and possess a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressures within the EU internal market;

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14. Amendment 14ESNMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 4
    Current text

    4. Welcomes the EU’s new Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, which will provide EUR 922 million in grants and loans to Albania when it meets the conditions set out in its ambitious Reform Agenda;

    Amendment

    4. Stresses that Albania’s fulfilment of the conditions set out in its ambitious Reform Agenda should not lead to the disbursement of EUR 922 million under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans; calls for the funds to be redirected immediately to benefit the current Member States;

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15. Amendment 15ESNMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 20 a (new)
    Amendment

    20a. Regrets that interpretations of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) hinder Member States’ ability to manage migration effectively, even when fundamental rights standards are upheld, as shown by the obstacles faced by Italy in establishing return hubs in Albania; calls for the modernisation of these interpretations to reflect current migration realities; urges the Council and the Commission to engage with the Council of Europe to reform the ECHR, particularly Article 3 and Protocol No 4, to enable lawful returns to safe third countries with adequate safeguards;

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16. Amendment 16ESNMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 29 a (new)
    Amendment

    29a. Welcomes the bilateral agreement signed between Italy and Albania, which provides for the transfer of illegal migrants and migrants with expulsion orders to return centres in Albania; praises this agreement as a concrete and pragmatic example of regional cooperation in addressing illegal migration and combating human smuggling networks;

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17. Amendment 17ESNMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 60 a (new)
    Amendment

    60a. Opposes Albania’s accession to the European Union;

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18. Amendment 18PPEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 23
    Current text

    23. Welcomes the adoption of the pending implementing legislation on the rights of persons belonging to minorities, specifically on self-identification and the use of minority languages, and underscores that these by-laws have to be fully and effectively implemented in order to render the exercise of minority and education rights feasible in practice; calls on the authorities to increase the capacity of the State Committee on National Minorities; expresses concern over persistent issues of discrimination and social exclusion affecting minority groups in Albania; calls on the Albanian Government to fully respect and protect human rights, including the rights of minorities, and to ensure that…

    Amendment

    23. Welcomes the adoption of the pending implementing legislation on the rights of persons belonging to minorities, specifically on self-identification and the use of minority languages, including at the level of local self-government units, and underscores that these by-laws have to be fully and effectively implemented in order to render the exercise of minority and education rights feasible in practice; calls on the authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the bylaws, notably by allocating adequate resources to central agencies and local government; calls on the authorities to ensure that procedures for selecting the members of the Committee on National Minorities are reviewed…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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19. Amendment 19PPEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 26
    Current text

    26. Commends the successful 2024 census held in an atmosphere of trust and transparency and its results; believes that Albania should serve as a positive model for conducting a population census in the region;

    Amendment

    26. Welcomes the conduct of the 2023 census in Albania; calls on the authorities to publish the detailed data and thematic analysis in line with the Commission’s recommendation in its 2024 report on Albania;

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20. Amendment 20PPEMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 30
    Current text

    30. Expresses concern about continued political interference with and pressure on the judicial system; notes with concern shortcomings in the merit-based appointments of non-magistrate members of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecution Council and their integrity;

    Amendment

    30. Expresses concern about continued political interference with and pressure on the judicial system; notes with concern shortcomings in the merit-based appointments of non-magistrate members of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecution Council and their integrity; regrets the persistent challenges regarding the functioning of the judiciary noted in SPAK’s 2024 report;

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21. Amendment 21ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 23 a (new)
    Amendment

    23a. Acknowledges the progress Albania has made in recognizing the Aromanians as a national (ethnic) minority, a community that continues to face persistent challenges related to the preservation of its language, culture, and heritage; calls for the Government of Albania to take further measures to ensure the full preservation of the Aromanian community’s identity;

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22. Amendment 22ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 24 a (new)
    Amendment

    24a. Encourages the Government of Albania to address and rectify the injustices inflicted by the communist regime upon all religious denominations;

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23. Amendment 23ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 24 b (new)
    Amendment

    24b. Expresses concern over the slow restitution of the religious properties confiscated by communists; notes with concern, furthermore, that, despite numerous requests by religious denominations, the Government of Albania has not returned all sacred objects, relics, icons and archives confiscated during the Communist regime1a; _________________ 1a https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/albania/.

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24. Amendment 24ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 56 a (new)
    Amendment

    56a. Expresses concern over the growing influence of Russia in the EU neighbourhood; commends the actions taken by Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (AKEP) in October 2024, which resulted in the closure of 155 Russian-operated online accounts involved in disseminating disinformation, as well as eight accounts linked to cyber espionage groups1a; underlines that these measures reflect Albania’s ongoing efforts to mitigate cyber threats; urges the EU to enhance its support to Albania in countering Russia’s malign influence and safeguarding regional stability; _________________ 1a https://politiko.al/english/e-tjera/-mbyll-155-llogari-ruse-ne-internet-per-dezinformimin-ne-…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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25. Amendment 25ECRMotion for a resolution · Paragraph 35
    Current text

    35. Calls on Albania to continue aligning its legal framework, and notably the criminal code, with the EU acquis on the fight against organised crime and the trade in drugs and firearms, as well as combating cybercrime, extremism and terrorist threats; notes the appointment of additional prosecutors to the Special Prosecution Office as well as the establishment of a financial investigation unit; commends Albania’s participation in joint operations and cooperation under the European multidisciplinary platform against criminal threats (EMPACT) on drug trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime; further acknowledges the intensified cooperation with EUROPOL, EUROJUST, FRONTEX, INTERPOL and the…

    Amendment

    35. Calls on Albania to continue aligning its legal framework, and notably the criminal code, with the EU acquis on the fight against organised crime and the trade in drugs and firearms, as well as combating cybercrime, extremism and terrorist threats; remains concerned about the persistent threat and diversification of activities of Albanian mafia groups in Europe; regrets the fact that, despite efforts to dismantle their networks, including through the use of data from the Sky-ECC encrypted messaging service in investigations, these criminal groups are still heavily involved in drug and arms trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering in several Member States, in…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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