
Prime Minister Edi Rama has published the message of EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who commented on recent developments in Albania, where for more than two weeks, thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets demanding Rama's departure.
The head of government says that "the European Commission has been acquainted in detail with the documented administrative process regarding Sazan and Zvërnec, and Commissioner Marta Kos herself has spoken clearly for all those who want to refer to the facts."
Meanwhile, Marta Kos, when asked about the tourism projects in the Zvërnec area, stated that they have received guarantees from the Albanian government that it will implement EU standards, while emphasizing that the EC will verify whether the relevant standards have been implemented.
“The European Commission is in constant contact with the Albanian authorities, not only with Prime Minister Rama. As for the Pishporo-Nartë project, like all other projects under development in Albania, it must comply with the legal framework and the standards set out in the environmental chapter, as you mentioned, Chapter 27 of the accession process. This chapter is open. Before it can be closed, the situation will need to be fully clarified, while its closure is currently foreseen by the end of 2027. Our role will be to verify whether the relevant standards have been met, if they are met. Until then, we encourage the Albanian authorities to continue to take steps that support the fulfilment of the chapter closure standards and help Albania move forward on its European path. We have received assurances from the Government of Albania that a full environmental impact assessment will be carried out and that European environmental standards will be respected. The fact that this is happening while Albania is going through the accession process "It is important. This process is legally and politically binding and is subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation. Therefore, it constitutes the strongest guarantee that nature and the environment in Albania will be protected in accordance with European standards," said Kos.
As for protests, Kos stated that they are a fundamental right and therefore she felt happy that this right was being implemented in Albania.
"You know how important the right to protest is for us. It is a fundamental right in the EU and for all countries that aim to become part of it. I am happy to see that this right is respected in Albania," declared Commissioner Kos.