US delegation visits Albania amid EU negotiation progress

US Ambassador Eric Wendt and a Congressional delegation, including Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin, conducted a visit to Albania to discuss regional security, NATO cooperation, and the rule of law. The delegation met with President Bajram Begaj, leaders of SPAK and the National Bureau of Investigation, and various political figures, including independent MP Marjana Koçeku and opposition members.

Separately, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States (COREPER) has approved the development of an Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the EU, scheduled for October 13, 2026, in Luxembourg. This step aims to formalize the provisional closing of negotiations for Chapter 20, ‘Enterprise and Industrial Policy,’ following positive assessments of Albania’s industrial and entrepreneurship reforms.

In local news, President Bajram Begaj visited Dibër to attend the 32nd edition of the ‘Oda Dibrane’ festival, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural heritage and national identity across borders.