TIRANA, June 18 /ATA/ – Main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha said on Thursday that an amendment adopted by the European Parliament a day ago calls on Albania to suspend new development activity in protected areas until the country’s environmental legislation is brought fully into line with European Union standards.
Speaking to reporters outside parliament, Berisha cited the amendment as expressing “serious concern” that ongoing development within the Vjosa-Narta protected area illustrates the practical consequences of recent legal changes and the risks they pose to ecologically significant sites.
According to opposition leader, the amendment urges Albanian authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on new permits, construction works and development projects in protected areas until provisions considered incompatible with EU standards are repealed and compliance with the environmental requirements of Chapter 27 of the EU acquis is ensured.
The document also calls for all projects in protected areas to undergo comprehensive environmental impact assessments in line with EU rules, including a transparent public consultation process involving local communities, scientists and civil society groups, he said.
Berisha accused Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government of failing to follow the legal procedures required for development in protected landscapes.
“Rama has violated national and international law at every step of this process,” Berisha said, arguing that development projects in protected areas must first pass a comprehensive assessment to determine whether they can proceed without harming the site.
He said that even where such an assessment permits further consideration of a project, additional environmental and habitat evaluations are required under the law.
Berisha added that the amendment also calls for decisions affecting protected areas to be taken in consultation with civil society and local communities, in line with obligations under the Aarhus Convention.
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