FLASH NEWS
Protests over Zvërnec and the departure of the Rama government, the EU delegation reacts: Protect nature, while you still have time!
2026-06-08 11:24:10 / POLITIKË
At a time when protests in the country have entered their 9th day and are being accompanied by even more massive participation every day, the European Union delegation in Albania has made an official response calling for the protection of nature.
Although the head of government, Edi Rama, has announced that he will not withdraw from the Zvërnec and Sazan projects, the protesters have set a series of conditions, which begin with the resignation of the prime minister and the cancellation of projects that violate nature, such as in Zvërnec or at least the mountains, which they consider as the sale of Albanian property.
In their message, the EU delegation called on institutions to protect nature while they have time.
"A bird song is more than a sound, it is a sign of a living, breathing nature."
Over 49% of the world's bird species are in decline, a clear signal that the balance of ecosystems is being tested.
Birds are essential to nature: they disperse seeds, control insects, and help ecosystems function healthily.
But habitat loss and pollution are pushing many species towards extinction, making nature quieter every day. Protect natural habitats, before the sky is left without birdsong. Protect nature, while you still have time,” the EU delegation emphasizes.
A day ago, the prestigious media outlet Politico reported a European Union position that the Zvërnec project and environmental damage could have a negative impact on Albania's EU negotiations.
According to Politico, “The European Commission has warned Albania against actions that could affect its path to EU membership, amid ongoing national protests over a project on the country’s southern coast. The nationwide protests entered their eighth day on Sunday, as Albanians demanded the cancellation of a luxury resort in Zvërnec.
The Commission is warning that the project could put Albania on a collision course with EU environmental rules, jeopardizing its ability to close the green Chapter 27 in the accession talks. “Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfilment of the closing criteria and [we] expect the Albanian authorities to act without delay,” a European Commission spokesperson told POLITICO in response to a question about the controversial proposed development. “In the EU accession process, as part of the closing criteria for the negotiation of Chapter 27 on environment and climate change, Albania is expected to fully align with EU legislation in this area, including the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive,” the spokesperson said, demanding that Albania repeal the amendments to the Law on Protected Areas and “complete” the law on strategic investments.
As part of the EU accession process, Albania is expected to align its legislation with EU environmental rules. The spokesperson also told POLITICO that Albania’s Environment Minister, Sofjan Jaupaj, had informed the Commission in Brussels that construction of the project has been suspended and that an environmental impact assessment will be carried out in cooperation with civil society.
“We have already expressed our concerns to the environment minister about the potential shortcomings of this project,” the spokesperson said.
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