The European Commission has made it clear that the provisional closure of the negotiation chapters covering science and research, and education and culture, does not mark the end of the work in these areas.
The EU will continue to monitor and support reforms aimed at strengthening higher education, scientific research, innovation, and academic integrity.
The Commission expressed this position in response to an open letter from Albanian academics in the diaspora, who called on the European Union to continue supporting and monitoring these sectors as key elements of the country's democratic and economic development.
In their letter, the academics expressed support for peaceful protests in Albania and called for a “new social contract” that places knowledge, meritocracy, and human capital at the heart of the country's development.
They urged the EU to maintain its commitment to safeguarding academic integrity, university autonomy, increased investment in scientific research, and developing policies aimed at bringing human capital back to Albania.
In its response, the European Commission stated that it had taken these concerns into consideration and that, despite the provisional closure of Chapters 25 and 26, it would continue to encourage and support further reforms in these areas as part of Albania’s EU accession process.
The Commission also acknowledged the important role of the Albanian diaspora and its willingness to contribute to the development of education, science, and innovation sectors.
