The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, said in a statement to the media outside Parliament that the European Parliament’s amendment regarding protected areas is “nothing more and nothing less” than what Prime Minister Edi Rama has already stated: that no construction will be allowed without a proper environmental assessment.
Balla stressed that no permits will be issued until the environmental impact assessment process is completed.
“Foreign investment is the engine of economic development in every country. Amendment 17 is already being implemented because Prime Minister Rama has stated that an environmental analysis will be carried out to ensure that everything is done according to European Union standards. There is no Vjosa–Narta National Park in Albania. It is guaranteed that tourist developments may take place in Zone 5. In cases such as Zvërnec, construction of this type can be carried out anywhere in Europe. No permits will be granted before the environmental assessment process is completed,” Balla said.
He added that even before the amendment was adopted, Rama had made it clear that no construction would take place before a thorough environmental study was conducted.
“Before this amendment was approved, Prime Minister Rama had already stated that there would be no construction there until an environmental study was completed. However, we are currently in a campaign where the truth is difficult to discern,” Balla said.
He noted that the European Parliament’s resolution clearly states that the relevant chapter of Albania’s accession negotiations cannot be closed without addressing the amendment.
“The European Parliament’s resolution is very clear: the chapter cannot be closed without this amendment, so we must wait. To join the European Union, we will do everything required. If the EU tells us to be careful about a specific issue, we will come together and address it. That is how this process works,” Balla said.
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