a few seconds agoEC: Serbia project could affect Albania's path towards EU
Periskopi(16 days ago)
(16 days ago)The European Commission has voiced concern that the planned project in the protected area of Pisha Porour could have environmental impacts that conflict with the process of membership negotiations between Albania and the European Union.
Recent days in Albania have held protests against work on building a resort in Zvrinec, near Vlora, amid concerns about environmental impact and land ownership disputes.
European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier has attracted attention that, in the EU membership process, as part of the concluding standards for negotiating Chapter 27 on environment and climate change, Albania is expected to fully adapt to the European bloc's legislation in this area.
This, according to him, includes implementing the Reforms for the Shpends and Habites, abolishing incompatible provisions adopted through amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, and abolishing 2015 legislation on strategic investments.
In addition, to close Chapter 27, Albania must show its capacity to manage future countries of Natura 2000. Networks for protected natural areas in the EU, including conservation measures preventing the deterioration of habitats and species. Albania must refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfillment of the closing standards”, spokesman Mercier's written response to Radio Free Europe (REL) said.
Chapter 27 of membership negotiations with the EU includes environment and climate. It promotes sustainable development and environmental protection for current and future generations. This chapter is based on preventive action, the “principle paid”, fighting environmental damage in the source, shared responsibility and integration of environmental protection into other EU policies.
Chapter 27 includes more than 200 important legal acts covering horizontal legislation, water and air quality, waste management, nature protection, industrial pollution control, risk management, genetically modified chemicals and organisms, noise, forestry, and climate change.
Albania has opened all chapters of membership negotiations with the European Union and ranks second among the candidate countries in terms of progress towards membership.
EU member states adopted in May the report on Fulfilling the Co-ordination Criteria in the field of rule of law, a necessary step to advance towards the provisional closure of negotiating chapters.
However, European officials claim that the concerns expressed are not new.
“Sic is already highlighted in our latest report on enlargement, extending the law on strategic investments continues to raise concerns about possible environmental impacts, especially in protected areas”, the European Commission's spokesman said.
This official also confirmed that similar concerns have been voiced near Albania's Ministry of Tourism and Environment over possible project shortcomings. According to Mercier, the ministry has let European co-ordinators know that construction works are suspended and that a full assessment of environmental impacts will be conducted for the project, in consultation with civil society.
Meanwhile, the Agency for Media and Information, near the Albanian Government, has confirmed that for this issue on May 26th during an online meeting with EC representatives, Albanian Environment Minister Sofia Jaapaj informed that there is no adopted final project and there is no project under construction.
The minister stressed Albania's commitment to ensuring that any potential development project undergoes a full assessment of environmental impact, developed in full transparency and in public consultation. Albania remains committed to the EU membership process”, the Albanian government said.
Meanwhile, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday evening that the debates and concerns raised for the projects in Zvrinec and Saban are “stiura” and non-founded “. He said such initiatives are important for the country's economic development and would be transformed into “ -- national pride”, according to him -- Albania's EU integration.
The Pisha Poro-Narts area is a protected environment and is considered one of the most important habitats in Albania for water birds and migratory birds, including flamingos.
Works are related to earlier announced plans by Jared Kouchner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump. In March 2024, Kouchner announced that he intends to build hotels and hundreds of villas in the Zvrnec area. / REL
