++ EU path must not be paved with the destruction of Protected Areas
++ EU path blocked until Albania ends attacks on nature
Tirana, 18 September 2025 – With the opening of Cluster 4: Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity in the EU–Albania negotiations, it is clear that Albania’s European future cannot be built on the destruction of its natural heritage. While today’s step is celebrated as progress towards EU membership, it also reveals the alarming reality that Albania still undermines the very foundations of nature conservation.
The EU itself has expressed grave concern that the 2024 amendments to the Law on Protected Areas and the extension of the 2015 Strategic Investments Framework enable large-scale industrial and tourism projects in protected areas, opening the door to irreparable damage to biodiversity and ecosystems. These legal shortcuts as incompatible with the EU acquis and a betrayal of Albania’s unique ecological values, from the Vjosa Wild River National Park to the mountain habitats that should rightfully become part of the Natura 2000 network.
“The EU also underlines that full compliance with the Aarhus Convention must be ensured, guaranteeing access to information, meaningful participation of NGOs and citizens before decisions are taken, and effective access to justice.”
(Council of the European Union, AD-15-2025-INIT, Chapter 27, p. 12)
“The negotiation process is not just about ticking boxes in Brussels,” said Olsi Nika, Executive Director of EcoAlbania. “It is about ensuring that Albania’s rivers, forests, and biodiversity are protected for generations to come. Europe’s last wild river, the Vjosa, and the rich network of protected areas across the country must not be sacrificed for short-term economic interests.”
Echoing the EU’s position, EcoAlbania and its partners stress that Albania must immediately repeal or revise damaging laws and end special investment regimes that privilege private interests over the public good.
“Albania still has some amazing natural landscapes, yet in recent years environmental destruction has increased dramatically, sparing not even protected areas. With its clear criticism, the EU has now lent strong support to both nature itself and to all those working to safeguard these natural treasures,” said Ulrich Eichelmann, CEO of Riverwatch.
The EU has also issued a clear set of demands to Albania:
- Revise the Protected Areas Law and end the extended 2015 Strategic Investments framework where it undermines nature protection.
- Submit a credible list of Natura 2000 sites and secure them with conservation measures, financing, and management plans.
- Fully align with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) directives (SEA by 2026, EIA by 2027).
- Guarantee public participation, transboundary consultation, and access to justice in line with the Aarhus Convention.
- Establish compliance plans for air, water, waste, and chemicals, backed by robust monitoring and enforcement.
- Strengthen administrative capacity, ensuring inspectorates are fully staffed, trained, and resistant to corruption.
“For over 30 years, EuroNatur has invested knowledge and resources to help safeguard Albania’s unique biodiversity. Weakening the Law on Protected Areas endangers not only Albania’s natural heritage, but also undermines three decades of international partnership and commitment. Albania’s future in the EU must be based on robust nature protection.” said Gabriel Schwaderer, CEO of EuroNatur.
Additional information
EcoAlbania is a leading Albanian environmental NGO, established in 2014, which has been at the forefront of the fight to protect the Vjosa River and Albania’s natural heritage. Together with its international partners, it has pushed for the creation of Europe’s first Wild River National Park in 2023.
EuroNatur, is a German foundation, that for over 30 years has invested knowledge, expertise, and financial support to safeguard Albania’s natural ecosystems.
Together with the Austrian-based NGO Riverwatch they are co-founders of the international Blue Heart of Europe campaign, a movement that has mobilized scientists, artists, communities, and activists across Europe to protect the last wild rivers of the Balkans from destructive hydropower, and infrastructure projects.
Riverwatch is an organization for the protection and restoration of rivers, based in Vienna, Austria. For more than 13 years, Riverwatch, together with EcoAlbania and EuroNatur, has been dedicated to safeguarding the Vjosa and its tributaries.
For more details, see the full EU report here: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/AD-15-2025-INIT/en/pdf
