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16 September, 2025
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  • OP/ED

    The world goes on as usual – unpredictably

    Palestine is decisive for peace in Middle East!

    Azerbaijan dismisses claims of involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

    Elite Purges: Internal Conflict or External Design?

    Trump’s Threat of U.S. Intervention in Iran Exposes Roots of Critics’ Fears

    Crisis-Born, Purpose-Seeking: Can the EPC Define Europe’s Strategic Future?

    Serbia’s Request to the ICJ Turned Resolution 1244 into a Closed Chapter and Kosovo’s Independence into an Internationally Recognized Reality

    Unpredictable world

    Promoting Arab Culture and Language in the Framework of Cultural Diversity and Dialogue.

  • Interview

    “Diplomacy, Not War”: Palestinian Ambassador to Albania Calls for Justice, Peace, and Global Action for Gaza

    Exclusive: “Even After Tito – Tito”/ Ambassador Zlatko Kramarić on Authoritarian Legacies and Democracy’s Future in the Balkans

    The Conclusion of the Diplomatic Mission / Ambassador Dancho Markovski: Strengthening Albania-North Macedonia Relations for a Shared European Future

    A Century of Diplomatic Relations Between Albania and Russia: Exclusive Interview with the Russian Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Alexey Zaytsev

    Exclusive/ The chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta: “The will of the citizens will triumph in Albania, as it did in North Macedonia”

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

  • Realpolitik

    The Troika that  defies the West!

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    Geopolitical equation with several unknowns!

    Summit G 6+1! The historic Summit and Trump show! Zelensky loses 0:2! Winners and losers of the 12 day war!

    Chancellor Merz passed “the exam”! Political stupidity! 5 per cent or study Russian! The Firing East!      

    A top phone call as disappointment! Exit from Brexit! Germany at the helm! End this political shame up!

    That’s it! The quartet of hope! Shame on Kosovo! The Summit of a Community without Identity!

    Only praises and prolises for Meloni! Facts versus untruths! Immediate ceasefire and genuine peace, no deal for new occupation! Back after 60 years !

    US nuclear tariff bomb!! Europa fires back! NATO ok, but with or without Article 5? Kallas urges reforms!

  • Current Events

    International Day of Democracy: joint statement by the embassies of Switzerland and Sweden

    Building a Digital Future: President Tokayev’s Roadmap for Kazakhstan

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    The Americans In, the Russians Down, and the Iranians Out: The Regional Impact of the Armenia- Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

    How Belgrade Keeps the Serb Community in Kosovo Under Political Control

    President Aliyev gives an interview to Azerbaijani media: US-Azerbaijan open new chapter of strategic partnership 

    International recognition of Palestine: Political marketing or genuine change?

  • Top News
    Kosovo and USA, two flags waving against blue sky. 3d image

    U.S.A.–Kosovo strategic cooperation is vital for ensuring peace and stability in the region and in Europe

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Zelensky in Brussels: A ceasefire and clear security guarantees are needed for Ukraine

    Visit to the Council of American Ambassadors Headquarters.

    China looks forward to Europe viewing bilateral ties in a comprehensive, dialectical, and developing manner: Chinese FM spokesperson

    The NATO Summit in 2027 will be held in Tirana.

    NATO allies agree to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035

    Reza Pahlavi: “This Is Our Berlin Wall Moment” — Exiled Prince Calls for Global Support as Iran Nears Regime Collapse

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  • Home
  • OP/ED

    The world goes on as usual – unpredictably

    Palestine is decisive for peace in Middle East!

    Azerbaijan dismisses claims of involvement in Israel-Iran conflict

    Elite Purges: Internal Conflict or External Design?

    Trump’s Threat of U.S. Intervention in Iran Exposes Roots of Critics’ Fears

    Crisis-Born, Purpose-Seeking: Can the EPC Define Europe’s Strategic Future?

    Serbia’s Request to the ICJ Turned Resolution 1244 into a Closed Chapter and Kosovo’s Independence into an Internationally Recognized Reality

    Unpredictable world

    Promoting Arab Culture and Language in the Framework of Cultural Diversity and Dialogue.

  • Interview

    “Diplomacy, Not War”: Palestinian Ambassador to Albania Calls for Justice, Peace, and Global Action for Gaza

    Exclusive: “Even After Tito – Tito”/ Ambassador Zlatko Kramarić on Authoritarian Legacies and Democracy’s Future in the Balkans

    The Conclusion of the Diplomatic Mission / Ambassador Dancho Markovski: Strengthening Albania-North Macedonia Relations for a Shared European Future

    A Century of Diplomatic Relations Between Albania and Russia: Exclusive Interview with the Russian Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Alexey Zaytsev

    Exclusive/ The chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta: “The will of the citizens will triumph in Albania, as it did in North Macedonia”

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

  • Realpolitik

    The Troika that  defies the West!

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    Geopolitical equation with several unknowns!

    Summit G 6+1! The historic Summit and Trump show! Zelensky loses 0:2! Winners and losers of the 12 day war!

    Chancellor Merz passed “the exam”! Political stupidity! 5 per cent or study Russian! The Firing East!      

    A top phone call as disappointment! Exit from Brexit! Germany at the helm! End this political shame up!

    That’s it! The quartet of hope! Shame on Kosovo! The Summit of a Community without Identity!

    Only praises and prolises for Meloni! Facts versus untruths! Immediate ceasefire and genuine peace, no deal for new occupation! Back after 60 years !

    US nuclear tariff bomb!! Europa fires back! NATO ok, but with or without Article 5? Kallas urges reforms!

  • Current Events

    International Day of Democracy: joint statement by the embassies of Switzerland and Sweden

    Building a Digital Future: President Tokayev’s Roadmap for Kazakhstan

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Alaska, a bell toll for Europe! No trade partners but adversaries! Palestina and the two states solution! When Pristina drowns in a spoonful of water!

    The Americans In, the Russians Down, and the Iranians Out: The Regional Impact of the Armenia- Azerbaijan Peace Agreement

    How Belgrade Keeps the Serb Community in Kosovo Under Political Control

    President Aliyev gives an interview to Azerbaijani media: US-Azerbaijan open new chapter of strategic partnership 

    International recognition of Palestine: Political marketing or genuine change?

  • Top News
    Kosovo and USA, two flags waving against blue sky. 3d image

    U.S.A.–Kosovo strategic cooperation is vital for ensuring peace and stability in the region and in Europe

    Ambassador of Egypt Recognizes CAA’s Constructive Role in Middle East Affairs

    “Council of Albanian Ambassadors condemns Gaza operation, calls for two-state solution”

    Zelensky in Brussels: A ceasefire and clear security guarantees are needed for Ukraine

    Visit to the Council of American Ambassadors Headquarters.

    China looks forward to Europe viewing bilateral ties in a comprehensive, dialectical, and developing manner: Chinese FM spokesperson

    The NATO Summit in 2027 will be held in Tirana.

    NATO allies agree to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035

    Reza Pahlavi: “This Is Our Berlin Wall Moment” — Exiled Prince Calls for Global Support as Iran Nears Regime Collapse

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Home Current Events

Parliament approves draft law on “Protected Areas” despite environmental concerns

22 February, 2024
in Current Events, ENGLISH, In Focus
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The Albanian Parliament approved legal changes proposed by the Socialist majority for “Protected Areas” in a plenary session characterized by tensions and disruptions from the opposition.

With 77 votes in favor, this amendment paves the way for the economic development of protected areas, in full harmony with the environmental and territorial protection of these areas.

The law introduces new concepts for categorizing biodiversity in the country, according to importance, as well as the possibility of updating it more frequently, and it gives local governance and communities the opportunity to be part of this decision-making process.

The law reformulates the principles of managing protected areas, adding the principle of “appropriateness”, “the principle of categorizing objectives”, and “the principle of management flexibility”, aiming to increase efficiency in the management process of these areas, based on IUCN principles. The new law also guarantees public access to protected areas.

This law grants more competencies to municipalities in the management of protected areas. It also aims to protect these areas through increased awareness, public education, promotion of research activities, encouragement of recreational activities and economic activities in line with the principle of effectiveness, as well as with the objectives of the protected area. It aims to provide opportunities for the economic development of the area’s residents, so they can have access to and benefit from them. It allows the use of land and the conduct of activities that apply sustainable development principles with a focus on the economic development of the area. It allows permissible urban, recreational, or industrial interventions within the area, while preserving its character. It encourages and supports initiatives, projects, programs, and activities aimed at improving the ecological and natural indicators of an environmental protected area, or that have a positive impact on them.

Upon approval, the European Union delegation in Tirana declared it would follow the implementation.

“Albania’s path towards joining the European Union is clear. It requires sustained efforts by the government and the parliament to ensure that Albanian legislation converges towards European standards. In the context of accession negotiations, the adoption of laws on topics covered by the EU acquis presupposes genuine and inclusive public consultation as well as a predictable and transparent process. The EU Delegation will be following very closely the implementation of the new legal provisions on protected areas, in line with the EU’s legal framework on environment protection and Albania’s international commitments”.

Prime Minister Edi Rama supported the stance of the EU, adding that the aim is to make Albania an important tourist destination.

“With the vision #Albania2030 and the unwavering will to make this country a top-tier Mediterranean tourist destination, we have made exemplary progress in biodiversity conservation in the last 10 years, and today we are the leaders in the region in terms of the quantity of protected areas as a result of their expansion during these years. Today’s legal changes strengthen the foundation of our ambitious path for sustainable development in harmony with the breathtaking beauty of Albania,” Rama wrote on X (previously known as Twitter).

Opposition deputies argue that the new draft law will turn protected areas to construction sites and pave way for the destruction of nature as well as strategic investments in these areas. The stance was expressed by Democrat MPs such as Jorida Tabaku, Ina Zhupa, or Freedom Party MP Erisa Xhixho.

Tourism Minister Mirela Kumbaro defended the decision, arguing that the draft law has been publicly consulted, through formal and informal meetings with representatives from the civil society and environmental organizations.

However, the latter argue “the proposed draft law paves the way for the destruction of National Parks and marks the end of the national network of Protected Areas”.

“This draft law threatens decades of conservation efforts and investments to protect Albania’s natural heritage,” said a statement from the Albanian Nature Protection Organization, PPNEA.

Previously, the Albanian Ornithologists’ Association, and 56 leading environmental organizations strongly opposed the draft law.

According to the organizations, “the Albanian Government has ignored the calls of the European Union to stop the voting on this law, seriously jeopardizing Albania’s integration into the European Union”.

Members of the majority party in the Parliamentary Commission for Production Activity and the Environment approved the final version of the draft law on Monday in an online meeting, disregarding the request of civil society representatives to withdraw the proposed amendments and initiate a broad consultation process.

The major concern of environmental organizations is related to the new draft law, which gives the National Territorial Council the decisive authority for activities to be carried out within “Protected Areas”.

The draft law on Protected Areas was initially presented by 12 Socialist deputies, who argued that it was the demand of several mayors that the changes be adapted to development needs.

The deputies proposed in the initial version that 20% of the territory of Protected Areas be administered by municipalities.

But the draft of the 12 deputies was rejected after the Government sent a new proposal to the Parliament with the title “opinion giving”, granting the National Territorial Regulation Council authority for development permits within Protected Areas.

Through declarations and decisions made over the years, 21.4% of the Albanian territory has been designated as “protected area”, including 12 national parks, 718 nature monuments, 23 managed nature reserves, 11 protected landscapes, 14 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and others. Its ecosystems and floral and faunal habitats are diverse and rich in biodiversity. It is judged that Albania cannot afford to neglect its development opportunities, by not utilizing 21.4% or nearly 1/5 of its total area with policies of prohibition or blocking, by conceptualizing protected areas as isolated islands, where the relationship and benefit of the community and tourists over them are lacking, and where institutional interaction between local government and central government is absent./Euronews Albania

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