Independent MP Marjana Koçeku, who broke away from the Socialist Party and joined the protest movement, has spoken out about the fires that have engulfed various areas across the country, from north to south.

She lists several of the territories affected by the flames and stresses that, regardless of whether the fires were deliberately started or resulted from an accident, the consequences for nature and national parks are severe.

According to Koçeku, tackling fires must be treated as a national security issue. To this end, the state must ensure planning, equipment, preparedness and continuous public awareness throughout the year, rather than acting only after the flames have engulfed forested areas.

Koçeku says that a strong state cannot leave fire protection to improvisation, but must incorporate it into a security strategy based on planning, the necessary tools and ongoing preparedness.

The MP has also questioned the government’s choices, referring to the “Mountain Package.” She stresses that preserving the country’s natural wealth should be one of the main priorities.

Koçeku warns that with such policies and packages, not only the mountains are at risk, but also democracy and Albania’s greatest asset—its nature.

The post Koçeku criticizes the government over the fires: The packages do not protect nature, while Albania is losing its greatest asset appeared first on Albeu.com.

During the conversation, Koçeku stated that the main topic of discussion was environmental challenges and the weight that civic engagement and political will carry for the preservation of the ecosystem.

She stressed that nature’s governance does not obey party divides. According to her, environmental protection does not constitute a blockade for economic progress, but is the most powerful indicator of state responsibility towards citizens and aspirations for integration into the European Union.

The post Koçeku welcomes MEP Fourreau in Tirana: Nature makes no compromises, it is either preserved or destroyed appeared first on Albeu.com.