EU calls for changes to the law on protected areas, MEPs “land” in Zvërnec!

The MEPs, who are in Albania as part of a meeting of the EU–Albania Parliamentary Stabilisation and Association Committee, “landed” in Zvërnec this Tuesday, where the project that sparked mass protests against the government will be built. The protests began at the end of May.

There are 5 MEPs, accompanied by 14 Albanian lawmakers, 7 from the governing majority and 7 from the opposition. Fredi Beleri told the media that they were taking a close look at the situation in Zvërnec, stressing that he is not opposed to development, but that the environment and biodiversity must be protected.

The European Parliament expects Albania to amend the law on protected areas by the end of this year, as part of the implementation of its resolution and the requirements related to accession negotiations with the European Union.

MEP Isabel Wiseler-Lima expressed confidence yesterday that these amendments would soon be placed on Parliament’s agenda, as an obligation to meet the requirements set out in an EP resolution and the standards of European legislation.