EU foreign ministers on Monday agreed to proceed with Albania's bid to become a member of the 27-nation bloc.
Media in Tirana quote Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom as saying Albania's application for EU membership was upheld with a consensus.
Within next two months, Albania will receive a questionnaire with some 4.000 questions in fields spanning political system, economy, judiciary and national legislation.
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha called the move a historic decision, adding that Albanian citizens are getting close to EU integration.
Albania submitted its application for EU membership in April this year.