Likewise, PM Rama said that, “It is abusive to make a connection between the government meetings, decisions and the further chain of government procedures with the charges raised against Minister Koka.”

The former minister of environment Lefter Koka has been accused in regard to investigation and procedures on concessionaire contract for building of waste treatment plant and production of energy in Elbasan region.

PM Rama emphasized that, “In spite of everything, garbage has been cleaned, the plants have been built and the revolution to transform Albania from a garbage dump in the middle of Europe to a country that is not drowned by garbage, has gone ahead thanks to all the government decisions”.

Rama said that he was proud that, “In Elbasan and Fier, there have been built two works that make me proud”.

“I am proud of the fact that in 2013 only half of the population was covered by the waste collection service. In 2013, there were only 2 waste treatment plants, one in Bushat, the only one up to the standard and the other was in Sharra which went into total emergency. While, today we have 5 plants”, said Rama.

In answer to question of Commission Chair Jorida Tabaku that the 3 EU progress reports have expressed concern about the plants, Rama answered by emphasizing that, “The EU has expressed concern because it is not the most preferred choice.”

“If you look at the progress reports, they talk about the very low level of waste separation at the source or the very low level of recycling. That’s why these are the preferences of the EU. We have not built incinerators, but waste processing and power generation plants. Incineration is part of this process. Incinerators, on the other hand, are plants that burn the product completely and do not produce energy. It is true that it is not the most preferred choice of the EU, but in the meantime even countries with the highest environmental standards such as Serbia or Denmark continue to build recycling plants”, said Rama.

Asked about the financing of 100 million euros from the state budget in the plants of Elbasan, Fier and Tirana, Rama said that, “These 100 million euros paid from the state budget are your fantasy”.

The prime minister explained that, “The state budget has paid 30.6 million Euros for Elbasan and 24.7 million Euros for Fier.”

“These make 55.3 million Euros in total and this is where the work of the state budget for these investments ends. So, first of all, you give me the document that says 100 million Euros. I wonder why you say 100 and do not make it 1 billion Euros “, said Rama./p.s./