++ European Commission’s 2026 Albania Report confirms deterioration of nature protection and reinforces the urgency of repealing Law No. 21/2024.
Tirana, November 5th, 2026.
The European Commission’s 2026 Albania Report, published on 4 November, delivers a strong warning regarding the deteriorating state of nature protection in Albania, explicitly identifying the controversial amendments to the Law on Protected Areas and the extension of the Law on Strategic Investments as drivers of environmental degradation and public protests.
The Commission’s findings represent a significant confirmation of the concerns repeatedly raised by EcoAlbania, other environmental organisations, scientists and local communities over the past years. More importantly, they reinforce a fundamental principle: Albania’s progress towards European Union membership cannot come at the expense of its natural heritage.
Under Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change, the European Commission concludes that Albania has made only limited progress, while highlighting the urgent need to align national legislation with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. The closing benchmarks for this chapter explicitly require the repeal of provisions incompatible with the EU nature protection acquis introduced through Law No. 21/2024, “On Some Amendments and Additions to Law No. 81/2017 ‘On Protected Areas’.”
Adopted in 2024 despite strong opposition from environmental organisations and experts, these legislative amendments weakened the legal safeguards protecting Albania’s most valuable ecosystems, opening the door to tourism developments and construction activities within protected areas.
As long as Law No. 21/2024 remains in force in its current form, it constitutes a permanent threat to Albania’s natural heritage. It exposes national parks, wetlands, coastal landscapes and other irreplaceable ecosystems to the risk of irreversible destruction under the justification of economic development.
The consequences are already visible in the Pishë Poro–Nartë Protected Landscape, home to the internationally important Vjosa–Narta wetland ecosystem. The European Commission explicitly raises concerns regarding the approval of development permits and preparatory construction works without adequate environmental impact assessments or public consultation. The report also reiterates concerns over the construction of Vlora International Airport within the same protected area, despite repeated requests from the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention for an environmental impact assessment.
Commenting on the European Commission’s findings, Olsi Nika, Executive Director of EcoAlbania, stated:
“For years, we have warned that dismantling the legal protection of nature is not development, but the legalisation of its destruction. Today, the European Commission confirms what scientists, communities and civil society have been saying all along: Albania cannot destroy its natural heritage while claiming to embrace European values. As long as Law No. 21/2024 remains in force, every protected area in this country remains potentially vulnerable to irreversible damage. Repealing this destructive legislation is no longer merely an environmental demand; it is a fundamental test of Albania’s credibility on its European path. Our message to the government is clear: you cannot negotiate away nature, and you cannot build a European future on the ruins of your own natural heritage.”
EcoAlbania considers the immediate repeal of Law No. 21/2024 and the restoration of effective legal safeguards for protected areas an urgent political and environmental priority. At a minimum, the repeal of all provisions incompatible with the EU acquis is a mandatory closing benchmark under Chapter 27.
The European Commission’s assessment should serve as a turning point. Rather than treating environmental safeguards as obstacles to investment, Albania must recognise that protecting biodiversity, restoring degraded ecosystems and safeguarding its natural heritage are essential foundations of sustainable development and European integration.
The choice before Albania is clear: protect its natural heritage and advance towards Europe or continue weakening environmental safeguards and jeopardise both.
No shortcuts to Europe. No compromises on nature.
About EcoAlbania
EcoAlbania is an Albanian environmental civil society organisation dedicated to the protection of natural ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and the promotion of sustainable development. Through scientific research, advocacy, environmental education and public campaigning, EcoAlbania works alongside local communities, national and international partners to safeguard Albania’s natural heritage.
For media inquiries:
Kaltrina Hyka: k.hyka@ecoalbania
