TIRANA, June 20 /ATA-Maela Marini/ Minister of Interior Sander Lleshaj on Saturday called for increased attention from relevant structures to prevent illegal construction along the coastline.
Minister of Interior, Sander Lleshaj, held a meeting in Saranda, with the mayors of Saranda, Delvina, Himara, Finiq and Konispol, MPs of Vlora region, local representatives, the Prefect, heads of the State Police and IKMT (National Institute for Territory Protection), to discuss for the steps towards opening the tourist season, measures for environmental protection and against illegal construction, crackdown on cannabis cultivation and other security-related issues.
Speaking about environmental crime, Lleshaj urged that the relevant structures to make every effort in their capacity to fight environmental crime.” He said that “the State Police will take action against all those who commit environmental crime. The Criminal Code of the Republic contains 19 articles that address environmental crime.”
Regarding illegal constructions, Lleshaj said that National Institute for Territory Protection and State Police are working together to address this problem. “Environmental crime carried hefty fines as well as criminal liability. The police together with IKMT will take full measures to exercise this responsibility,” he said.
“The coastline should not be damaged any further. We will no longer allow any bricks to be placed on the coastline without permission. For this, the relevant structures, especially the State Police, must be clear that they will be held to account for any toleration,” Lleshaj said.
Lleshaj said that “we have one of the smallest police forces in the region, but the government is making efforts to increase the number of police officers, to bring it closer to the number of police per capita in European countries.”
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