Flash News

Rama attacks the protest for "Corriere della Sera": Digital hysteria, megaphones don't knock me down

"Le Courrier des Balkans": Edi Rama and the megalomania of power

Shqipëria po humbet fuqinë punëtore, 67% e popullsisë në moshë pune do të emigrojë

Rama brings West in Tirana, using Eastern premises

Global fertility crisis: 54 million women over 35 unable to get pregnant

E-TJERA

MEP Waitz: The law on protected areas endangers Albania's path to the EU

Politiko 2026-07-09 09:52:55

MEP Waitz: The law on protected areas endangers Albania's path to the EU

Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz has raised concerns about the Albanian government's stance on Law 21/2024, warning that failure to address European Union requirements could create obstacles to the integration process.

In an interview for the show "Kafe Shqeto" on Syri TV, Waitz said that European institutions have made it clear that legal changes affecting nature protection do not comply with EU standards and could affect the fulfillment of Chapter 27 of the negotiations, which relates to the environment.

According to him, the European Commission has asked Tirana several times to review the law, but the Albanian government's reaction has been unclear.

"There have been concrete complaints from the European Union. We have made it clear that Law 21 of 2024, which amends nature protection, is not in line with the requirements for closing Chapter 27 on the environment. This is a step in the opposite direction to the objectives of the negotiations, because the European Union is built on common standards and laws. The European Commission has asked the Albanian government several times to review this law, but the government's response has been that "maybe we change it, maybe not". This is seen as an attempt to gain time and even as an insult.

"I think the government still has the opportunity to understand that it cannot work against its citizens. The pro-European path means respecting the rule of law and democratic procedures. From the European Union's perspective, a moratorium should be imposed on construction in that area until everything is clarified. If the government continues to react as it has so far, this could actually become an obstacle to Albania's membership in the European Union," Waitz said.

Latest news