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BIRN: Berne Convention criticizes government for lack of information on Vjosa-Narta

Politiko 2026-07-16 17:34:45

BIRN: Berne Convention criticizes government for lack of information on

The Bern Convention Bureau has toughened its tone towards the Albanian government regarding infrastructure and tourism developments in the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape, an area proposed as part of the Emerald Network.

In a recent letter dated July 15, 2026, addressed to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and environmental organizations in Albania, the Bureau expresses “regret” for the lack of comprehensive information on the projects and urges the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment that would calculate the cumulative impact of the Vlora Airport and what it calls “new tourism development projects,” which appear to be related to plans for five-star or higher resorts in the area.

The document published by EcoAlbania, which together with PPNEA is registered as a complainant in the requests addressed to the Convention, confirms that the Bern Convention considered the situation at its June meeting, following complaints from environmental organizations and reports of concern from citizens. The letter welcomes the temporary suspension of works and the government's promise for a new in-depth EIA.

“The Bureau reviewed the information received on new tourism development projects within the Emerald candidate area of Vjosa-Nartë and welcomed the suspension of construction works in this area as well as the commitment of the Albanian authorities to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment,” the letter states.

But on the other hand, the Bureau emphasizes that Albanian institutions are being secretive and that the information shared was incomplete. “However, it expressed regret that the authorities had not provided detailed information on the Vjosa-Narta Emerald candidate area and had not yet submitted an updated Standard Data Form for Emerald areas in Albania,” the reaction states.

Convention representatives also warn that “the approach followed by the Albanian authorities could pose similar risks to other Emerald candidate sites in the country.”

The EcoAlbania organization described the Bern Convention letter as a strong message to the Albanian Government regarding the ongoing threats to the Emerald Vjosa-Nartë site and indicated that the convention had also been notified of the works already carried out in the area.

“The Bern Convention could not have been clearer. The Albanian government cannot continue to behave as if international obligations are a matter of choice, while paving the way for investors within protected areas,” Olsi Nika, Executive Director of EcoAlbania, was quoted as saying in the organization’s press release on the letter.

"Vjosa-Narta is an area of exceptional natural value, internationally recognized, not a construction site... The government must stop looking for ways to evade the decisions of the Bern Convention and begin implementing them," Nika is further quoted as saying.

The letter from the Convention Secretariat also mentions the unrealized request of the Standing Committee from December 2025 to suspend the construction of Vlora Airport until the completion of a new and accurate EIA, a condition that, according to them, is directly related to Albania's European integration process.

The bureau has given the government until August 15, 2026, to submit details on “permits granted and procedural steps,” as well as maps of the overlap between protected areas and development projects. Then, in September, it will be decided whether the Convention will send an assessment mission to the field./ BIRN