Europe steps in: EU Parliament calls for immediate freeze on destructive developments in Albania’s protected areas

Today, the European Parliament (EP) took a major stand for nature by expressing serious concern over the ongoing developments in the Vjosa–Narta protected area. In a decisive move, the EP called for an immediate freeze (moratorium) on all new permits and construction works within Albania’s nature reserves. Parliament stated that this freeze must remain in place until Albania repeals the damaging 2024 loopholes in its Law on Protected Areas and proves full compliance with European environmental standards.

The vote comes after weeks of peaceful demonstrations across Albania, where thousands of citizens have mobilised in defence of the Vjosa–Narta ecosystem, one of the country's most valuable natural areas and a future part of Europe's Natura 2000 network.

"This vote demonstrates that environmental protection is not a secondary issue in the accession process. The European Parliament has made clear that nature, public participation and the rule of law are not optional elements of EU accession. They are fundamental European standards that cannot be compromised," said Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director of EuroNatur.

Key takeaways from the EU Parliament decision:

• The EP calls for the repeal of the controversial 2024 legal amendments that weakened Albania's nature laws. Stripping away environmental safeguards may seriously risk undermining Albania's journey toward EU membership.
• Members of the EP emphasised that progressing toward joining the EU requires a proven track record of respecting environmental laws, conducting proper assessments, and honouring the public's right to participate in decisions.
• Politicians from multiple European political parties directly cited the ongoing crisis in Vjosa–Narta and praised the incredible mobilisation of Albanian citizens defending their land.

"The message from Brussels is simple: EU membership is not only about opening and closing chapters. It is about demonstrating in practice that European standards are respected when it matters most," said Viktor Berishaj, Senior EU Policy Officer at EuroNatur.

A victory for public participation and the rule of law

For the thousands of citizens who have marched, protested, and raised their voices over the past few weeks, today's vote is a powerful confirmation that the EP is listening to the people, not just the developers.

“We appreciate that the debate around Vjosa–Narta has now moved to the EU, and in line with the discussion happening in Albania. The discussion around Vjosa–Narta now goes far beyond environmental protection alone; it has become part of a broader European discussion about the rule of law, democratic participation, transparency and the credibility of the enlargement process itself,” said Aleksandër Trajçe, Executive Director of PPNEA.

Ultimately, the citizens peacefully mobilising across Albania are not asking for special treatment. They are demanding the exact same standard the European Union expects from the Albanian government: to respect the law, ensure transparent decision-making, and truly protect the country's most irreplaceable natural heritage.

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See EuroNatur's original press release.