A few days after Albanian environmental activists' cameras filmed heavy machinery that had begun work within the Poro-Nartë Pine Protected Landscape, the German environmental organization EuroNatur came out with an official response expressing concern about the severe damage caused by these works.
According to EuroNatur, serious environmental damage is currently being carried out in the Nartë-Vjosa protected area in Albania.
"Since the end of April, bulldozers and excavators have been operating in the heart of the protected landscape, eliminating forests in the coastal area, sand dunes, and opening new access routes to habitats that were previously untouched," writes EuroNatur.
"These works are being carried out without transparent approval procedures, without environmental impact assessments or public consultations," international environmental activists further add.
On 16 September 2025, the European Union officially opened negotiations with Albania on Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change. Under this agreement, the European Union and Albania agreed that the controversial changes made by the government to the Law on Protected Areas would be withdrawn by the end of 2027.
It was also agreed that all projects would be planned and implemented according to the requirements of the European Union's Environmental Impact Assessments.
According to EuroNatur, concrete actions suggest that the Albanian government is not adhering to these conditions.
"This is a serious violation of national nature protection regulations and the commitments that Albania has undertaken as part of the EU integration process," EuroNatur's response quotes, regarding the current works being carried out at Pish Poro-Nartë.
EuroNatur, together with several other Albanian and international environmental partner organizations, calls for an immediate halt to works in the Pishe-Poro area, as well as for transparency regarding work permits.
"Continuing works in a nature reserve not only puts this unique natural heritage at risk, but also calls into question Albania's credibility in the EU enlargement and membership process," said Gabriel Schwaderer, executive director of the EuroNatur organization.
"The agreements with the EU are being violated by the Albanian government. The European Union must increase pressure on Tirana to ensure an immediate halt to the damage to nature in one of Europe's most important natural landscapes," the head of the German environmental organization EuroNatur concluded indignantly. /BIRN./
