- Sofia Moreira de Sousa presented her credentials to President Bajram Begaj in Tirana on 2 September 2026.
- The Portuguese ambassador will lead the EU Delegation in Albania for a four-year term.
- Albania's EU accession: all clusters open, the first three chapters closed.
- Moreira de Sousa describes accession as a process about citizens' lives, not just chapter work.
Appointment of New EU Delegation Head in Tirana
Portuguese Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa presented her credentials to Albanian President Bajram Begaj in Tirana. The appointment tasks her with representing the European Union in Albania and leading the EU Delegation in the country's capital for a four-year term.
Albania's Path towards EU Membership
Following the credential ceremony, the new ambassador stated:
"It is an honour to be here. Albania's EU path has reached a decisive stage, all clusters open, the first three chapters closed. But accession is not only about clusters and chapters. It is about improving the lives of the citizens. Together with my team, I look forward to working closely with the Albanian authorities and with all partners, in coordination with EU Member States, to bring Albania in the European Union, and build our common future."
The statement underscores that the EU's focus in Albania's accession negotiations extends beyond the purely technical chapter work to a broader perspective on citizens' daily lives. The fact that all clusters are open and the first three chapters are closed marks the accession process as having reached one of the most advanced stages in the negotiation track.
About the New EU Ambassador
Sofia Moreira de Sousa is a Portuguese national with extensive experience in foreign and security policy at European and international level. Her diplomatic profile is described in the EU Delegation's ambassador profiles.