Guarda after the protest calling for Rama’s resignation: Profit is being put above citizens’ interests, the road to the EU is at risk if…

After her visit to Albania and participation in the anti-government protest that has been taking place in Tirana for 42 days, Italian MEP Cristina Guarda reacted by raising concerns about the environment and compliance with European Union standards. She also spoke after the interparliamentary meeting of the EU-Albania Delegation, where she said she had shared her impressions of the situation in the country.

According to Guarda, during her stay in Albania she heard citizens’ concerns firsthand and saw, as she put it, an open clash between economic interests and the protection of nature. She singled out the protected Vjosa-Narta area as a particularly serious case, but stressed that the problem is not limited to that alone.

“I heard the concerns of many people on the ground, and I also saw the unacceptable attitude of those who, in politics, continue to put the protection of the environment and people in second place. Because for them, profit comes first,” she said.

Guarda said that Albania’s accession to the European Union must be built on respect for European values, environmental protection, and the genuine involvement of the community in decision-making. She added that the process must also respect the principle of “non-regression” in environmental policies, according to which standards for protecting nature must not be weakened over time.

“This (and not only this) is what I saw in Albania last week.

I recounted and shared my experience during the interparliamentary meeting of the EU-Albania Delegation.

I heard the concerns of many people on the ground, and I also saw the unacceptable attitude of those who, in politics, continue to put the protection of the environment and people in second place. Because for them, profit comes first – an economic development model incompatible with the health of the territory.

The protected Vjosa-Narta area is the very serious case on which we focused. But it is not the only one, and it can serve as an opportunity to reflect politically on European values.

Albania’s accession to the European Union must take place in the spirit of protecting these values, respecting the environment, and engaging the community, while guaranteeing citizens’ participation in decision-making.

It must also take into account the principle of “non-regression” in environmental protection, which means that environmental protection standards must not be weakened.

I will continue to follow this process and keep you informed about further developments as well,” she declares.