EP urges Albania to impose mortorium for permits, construction in protected areas

The final version adopted on Tuesday does not mention any specific projects, but speaks of preserving protected areas and comes at a time of protests in the country against investments against works for a resort in the protected area of Pisa Poro Nart, southwest of Albania, amid environmental concerns and land ownership.

The EP said it expresses a serious concern for recent developments in Albania's protected areas, which illustrate the practical consequences of legal changes in the protection areas legislation and the risks these developments pose for areas of known ecological value”.

It also cited in the amendment to resolution “continuing peaceful structures related to these developments” and calls on Albanian authorities to immediately establish a moratorium on all new permits, construction work and developmental interventions within protected areas, until a full and independent assessment of environmental and legal impact.

Also called for abolishing changes made in the 2024 law on protected areas.

“required abolishing 2024 changes to the Protection Areas Law, which allows the development of large-scale tourist infrastructure within protected areas and transfer important competencies of governance and decision-making to the National Council of the Territory, weakening environmental supervision”, the amendment says.

Just a few days ago, the European Commission voiced concern that the planned project in the protected area of Pisha Poroürt could have environmental impacts that conflict with the process of membership negotiations between Albania and the European Union.

In the last two weeks in Tirana, Vlora and other cities, protests are under way against works for a resort in the protected area of Pisha Poro Nart, southwest of Albania, amid environmental concerns and land ownership.

Protesters demand the annulment of the project in Zvrinec and the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama's government.

The Special Prosecutor is conducting investigation into land sales contracts, where this project will be realised.

Reactions About the Amendment

Prime Minister Edi Rama praised the amendment as confirming strong European support for the country's integration process and guarantees Vjo - The night will be protected.

“In every case flamingos will be protected, Vjo -Nutra will be protected, Zrvenec will be developed based on an environmental impact assessment according to European Union standards, and we will continue to climb Albania to the top of the United Europe house”, Rama said, stressing that the protest launched for flamingos is ending in power on their behalf.

On the other hand, the organisers of protests against the project in Vjo-Natre see the adoption of the amendment seeking to halt new interventions in protected areas as a victory.

The parliamentary session in Strasbourg has also been attended by the BirdLife Europe Environmental Conservation and Protection Association in Albania (PPNEA), which have been committed to the construction issue in protected areas.

“Today, the European Parliament has stood by thousands of Albanians on the streets of Tirana. This vote sends the clear message that you cannot join the EU by destroying protected leagues and bypassing your laws. The protection of Vjosa-Narts and the respect of Bird and Habitate directives are a fundamental condition of EU membership”, said Anouk Puymartin, chief of politics at Bird Life Europe.

And Joni Vorpsi, representative of The PPNEA said the European Parliament's call for an immediate mortorium is just what is needed in the fight to protect Vjo-Narten.

Changes in the law on protected areas opened up opportunities for the adoption of tourist and infrastructure projects in some of Albania's coastal areas south of Albania, such as Palase, Yala, Zvrinec, etc. This change has brought constant concerns to the environmental community and European institutions.

The EP resolution also laments extending the deadline of the Strategic Investment Law.

Its “Desponds allow accelerated permit procedures and more limited environmental controls, which risks negatively affecting protected areas and other environmentally sensitive areas”.

Rama has said earlier that this law will be abolished after it has achieved its goal. Rama said the country no longer needs this law because large investors are going and they do not need the facilities the law offers. He stressed that it is working for a new investment law, along with the European bloc.

Meanwhile, the EP resolution praises Albania's progress in the European integration process.

However, it is stressed that this progress should be accompanied by effective and sustainable implementation of reforms in practice, especially in the area of rule of law, the fight against corruption and the functioning of democratic institutions.

It also calls on the ruling majority and opposition in Albania to undertake, constructively and inclusively, a complete electoral reform, in close co-operation with civil society, and to fully implement the unmet recommendations of the ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

It encourages a stronger parliamentary control over executive power and remembers that parliamentary immunity is part of Albania's constitutional framework and is designed to ensure the proper functioning of democratic institutions. It also calls on Albania to make decisive progress in the initial property registration. I regret that the informal economy undermines the business environment and competition.

Albania is a candidate country for EU membership since 2014. It began membership negotiations in July 2022, and has opened the entire negotiating group.

Rama has declared that Albania aims to complete membership negotiations with the EU by the end of 2027, and that the country is to join by 2030. /Radio Free Europe