Protests in Albania on the European Parliament agenda, McAllister announces special debate

Over 350 doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals living and working in Germany have addressed MEPs and German MPs with an appeal about the situation in Albania.

David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, responded to their initiative in a letter addressed to Albanian doctor Marsi Spiro.

In his response, McAllister calls the situation in Albania a cause for "great concern," citing increasingly violent clashes between protesters and security forces, reports of police brutality, the use of special forces, and warnings of possible restrictions on freedom of assembly.

The Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee also announced that he has addressed the European Union Ambassador to Albania, requesting an assessment of the situation and information on the measures taken so far by the EU.

Another important development is related to the European Parliament's agenda. According to McAllister, Albania will be on the committee's agenda on November 4, as part of the presentation of annual progress reports for candidate countries.

In addition, during November, it is planned that developments in Albania will be addressed in a separate agenda item, with the aim of developing a more detailed debate.

"The Committee on Foreign Affairs will continue to closely and critically follow the situation on the ground," the MEP's response states.

The news was made public by representatives of the initiative of Albanian health professionals in Germany, who consider the response a signal that their appeal has reached European institutions.

"The voice of the white shirts was heard," the initiators say, thanking all colleagues who signed and distributed the appeal.

They announce that they will closely follow further reactions from MEPs and German MPs.

answer 

Dear Mrs. Dr. Spiro,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 20 October 2026, which I have read with attention. The current situation in Albania is indeed a cause for great concern. In this context, it is worth noting the increasingly violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, reports of police violence and the use of special forces, as well as warnings of possible restrictions on freedom of assembly.

I have already addressed the EU Ambassador to Albania, asking for an assessment of the situation and an overview of the measures that the European Union has taken so far.

Albania occupies an important place in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as a candidate country for membership in the European Union, and is regularly the subject of discussions, during which MEPs critically examine the country's progress in the EU enlargement process.

On November 4, Albania will be on the Commission's agenda, as part of the presentation of annual progress reports for candidate countries.

In addition, we at the Commission are planning to put the situation in Albania on the agenda during November as a separate item, in order to enable a detailed and expanded debate.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs will continue to closely and critically follow the situation on the ground.

With warmest greetings to Braunschweig,

David McAllister