Albanian Institute for Globalization Studies

17/08/2026

07/07/2026

When it comes to the and ’s path to full integration, 2026 is proving extremely challenging. While the narrative and the facts overlap, and most often they mismatch, beyond the technicalities. What is not being publicly stated is that there are many reasons for doubts and even concerns. By all accounts, the complexity of the process makes it very difficult to understand where Albania truly stands; however, there are some political missteps that almost everyone understands. These are not coming from but from .

Reports on the accession stages for Albania by the European Union are nothing new; the institution requires certain criteria and standards to be met, and after the evaluation stage, reports are released. However, in 2026, some phrases and details in the semantics are not the norm. The difficulties with the process’s technicalities, as well as the vague diplomatic language of the reports, create grey areas that, in Albania, are interpreted in relation to the political standing of the party that explains them. Yet, some realities, whether for better or worse, are undeniable.
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https://china-cee.eu/2026/06/26/albania-monthly-briefing-from-the-eu-integration-path-to-the-accession-crossroads/
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Marsela Musabelliu

23/06/2026

’s full membership process has accompanied the political narrative for decades. There is no politician or party in the country that does not use, or misuse, the path to the at every opportunity. Carrots and sticks, conditionality, aspirations, the European dream, negotiations, the opening and closing of chapters, and much more have become common phrases in the political and public narrative. The highlight of every political establishment is Albania’s irreversible path to EU membership, and there is no “Plan B” other than European integration.

From an EU narrative perspective, meeting the criteria for candidate status is paramount; first, with regard to Albania, the rule of law is paramount. Vague as it may seem, it has a pillar: the Justice Reform. With that comes the fight against corruption at the highest levels of political and decision-making bodies and functionaries. As of 2026, it seemed that the political establishment in Tirana was abiding by this (although for most in the country, this was only on paper). However, with the indictment of the former deputy of Edi Rama, his right-hand and one of his loyalists, for corruption, almost everything changed. The PM is not abandoning her; he is shielding her with immunity and is protecting her from prosecution. Most importantly, for the first time since he became PM (2013), he is publicly and dismissively going against the European Union’s recommendations.
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https://china-cee.eu/2026/05/31/albania-monthly-briefing-albanias-eu-membership-path-and-a-potential-impasse/
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Marsela Musabelliu

04/06/2026

For over a decade in , there has been one main pillar of support for the political establishment to move forward, legitimize, and anchor to power, namely the Reform. The major constitutional changes occurred in 2016, and the consequent establishment of several parallel structures of the “New Justice” has paved the way for dismantling the culture of impunity and demanding accountability from public officials. To date, the justice authorities have taken measures against influential individuals previously considered untouchable, creating political chaos that has deepened the internal divide within the opposition and thrown the ruling party into a circle of suspicion. Justice has stirred some elements of the establishment, and their affliction is impacting the country’s political life. Hailed by some and vilified by others, the new justice authorities are under political and public scrutiny.

The Justice Reform has been touted for years by the Albanian Prime Minister as a creation of his party and his governance. Edi Rama praised it as a byproduct of his commitment to eradicate corruption, and it was presented internationally as a success story. Until 2026, when the case of the Deputy Prime Minister threw years of advancement into question and all that had been stated and narrated for years took a different shape, the one of doubt and controversy from the very political establishment that created and endorsed it.
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https://china-cee.eu/2026/05/18/albania-monthly-briefing-the-justice-reform-at-a-crossroads-and-a-standstill/
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Marsela Musabelliu

20/05/2026

, as a small country with a clearly defined and predetermined foreign policy orientation, is currently in the midst of a strong vortex of high geopolitical winds. It has long been said that Europe is “shaking” from East to West, and recent developments seem to confirm this reality. The approach and stance of the Albanian political class throughout this period, when global relations and conflicts are taking new forms, sometimes more revolutionary, but also more controversial, is overwhelmingly united.

In late 2025, Donald announced that a Board of Peace would be created, initially for the situation in , and later for all conflicts. In January 2026, almost all countries worldwide were invited to join; by February 2026, only a couple of dozen had accepted. Albania was one of these countries. In January and February, media and analysis focused on the Board of Peace. However, the main issue was not the Board itself but the relationship between Albania’s political establishment and the , specifically the Trump administration.
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https://china-cee.eu/2026/04/29/albania-monthly-briefing-the-board-of-peace-and-albanias-presence-in-washington/
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Marsela Musabelliu