Reintke pointed at the ongoing protests in Albania against the planned project for the Zvërnec area, as well as demands for greater transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.

“I have had the opportunity to observe the ongoing protests, and I can tell you that they have attracted significant attention across Europe, including within the European Parliament. Albanian citizens are opposing the planned project for this area, but they are also demanding greater accountability in the process,” she stated.

The MEP noted that during her stay in Albania, she also met with representatives from various non-governmental organizations to gain a more direct understanding of the situation and recent developments in the country. She emphasized that the European Parliament, including the Greens/EFA group, has been closely monitoring the situation in Albania over the past few months.

“Our stance is crystal clear. In June, we adopted a report calling for a moratorium on all development plans in the protected areas,” Reintke stated.

Referring to the beginning of works in May and June, she noted that significant questions have been raised regarding compliance with Albanian legislation and European environmental protection standards.

“The manner in which construction began in May and June is inconsistent with Albanian laws as well as European-level environmental legislation, and this impacts the accession process,” the MEP stated.

Reintke also called for the Albanian legal framework regarding protected areas to be aligned with the European Union legislation.

“The demand is clear: the law on protected areas must be repealed and harmonized with EU environmental legislation. This is a long-standing request from both the European Commission and the European Parliament and it will be a key aspect regarding negotiations under Chapter 27,” she said.

According to the MEP, the issue concerns not only environmental protection but also democratic standards, public participation in major infrastructure projects and respect for the rule of law.

She also made it crystal clear that the position of the Greens group—and indeed a broad section of the European Parliament—is not opposed to the development of tourism infrastructure in Albania.

“We are not arguing against the construction of tourism infrastructure in Albania. This is a growing sector of the Albanian economy and given that Albania is a fantastic country, it should be developed. However, this must be done in compliance with environmental standards, laws, democratic procedures and anti-corruption standards,” the MEP stated.

Reintke emphasized the European Parliament’s support for Albania’s accession to the European Union, stressing that this process must be accompanied by respect for citizens’ rights and the fulfillment of all relevant standards.

“Albanian citizens deserve to have their rights protected during the EU accession process; negotiations are ongoing and we will push for Albania’s progress toward the EU while insisting on compliance with all relevant provisions,” she said. /p.s./

During the meeting, Berisha expressed the opposition’s concerns about two cases that are under investigation by SPAK, the one related to Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku and the other on the National Agency of Information Society.

Berisha stated that, “Prime Minister Edi Rama is making attempts for undue intervention in the legislation, with the aim of creating a shield for himself and his ministers’ corruption”.

According to him, “The suggested legal amendments by Rama harm not only the struggle of justice against corruption, but also the process of European integration of the country”.

DP chairman stressed that the opposition unconditionally supports the EU integration process, but demands that this process should be comprehensive, based on merit, and not used for propaganda purposes by the government.

Berisha and Gahler also spoke on the recent elections in Albania, and the leader of the Democratic Party expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the European Parliament sent an observation mission.

“The MEP was part of it and was able to see by himself the serious violations highlighted in the OSCE report, as well as 7 international resolutions that have openly condemned the manipulated Albanian elections,” Berisha said. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Speaking at the 20th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee in Tirana, Kokalari said Albanians were among the European peoples who had suffered the most violations of human rights, particularly under communism.

“The entire history of communism will serve as a reminder to the rest of the EU of how important it is to fight for freedom and human rights,” she said. “Religious tolerance is another area where Albania contributes at its best. The EU’s requirements for Albania to meet all accession criteria are the foundation that will make you a member state.”

Kokalari warned of growing pressure within the EU from Russia, China, Iran and “other dictatorships seeking to undermine the bloc’s core values and unity.” She said these regimes were attacking member states and human rights, including those of the LGBT community.

“When you become EU members, you will join us in the fight against these anti-Western forces trying to destroy the Union,” she added. “Human rights, freedom of expression, minority rights and respect for an independent media are the fundamental values of the EU.”

Kokalari said Albania’s work to meet the EU’s membership criteria would continue even after accession. “The real work begins in 2030 – ensuring that fundamental rights are guaranteed for all Albanians,” she said.

/e.i/a.f/r.e/u.sh/

Balluku wrote in the social media that during the meeting they discussed on Corridor 8, an important European network.

“I informed him about all the work that the Albanian Government is doing for this road, which has a large flow of movement, mainly of means of transport”, said Balluku.

Also, Balluku wrote that during the meeting they also discussed the relations between the two countries, Albania and Bulgaria, expressing the will for the further promotion of cooperation.

Corridor 8 is one of the ten “trans-European corridors” which have been conceived to facilitate the exchange of goods, people, oil and energy supplies between EU countries, the Balkan states that have access to the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and the states of Central Asia. /p.s./

Balla wrote in a post in the social media that they had talked on the importance of cooperation between law enforcement structures in the fight against any form of cross-border crime, as well as the progress in building of Corridor VIII, which is one of the ten “trans-European corridors”.

“I welcomed the Member of the European Parliament Andrey Novakov. We positively assessed the progress in building of Corridor VIII, one of the ten “trans-European corridors” which have been conceived to facilitate the exchange of goods, people, oil and energy supplies between the EU countries, the Balkan states that border the Black Sea. It is also very important to intensify the cooperation of law enforcement structures in the fight against any form of cross-border crime and illegal traffic”, wrote Balla. /p.s./