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Interpellation on the Zvërnec/Jaupaj project: It will be subject to an in-depth analysis of the environmental impact

2026-06-11 14:11:00, Politikë CNA

Interpellation on the Zvërnec/Jaupaj project: It will be subject to an

In today's plenary session, an interpellation was held with the Minister of Environment, Sofjan Jaupaj, regarding the investment in Zvërnec, requested by the opposition.

DP MP, Ina Zhupa, during her speech, asked the minister several questions regarding the planned project.

"Do you agree with the fact that it can be private property within the protected area and can be treated as an ordinary building plot, or does the environmental status determine the ecological value and not the ownership of the land? Are you the one who responded to the European Commission that you suspended the project and was there a project? Because you are the same individual who said that there is no project, while concrete figures are mentioned. There are documents that show that 4 permits were granted for that project.

"Clarify, is there a development permit, is there a construction permit, is there a project or not? How was the approval or agreement for a development permit given without an environmental impact assessment? While the obligation is that this process occurs before the development permit is granted. Can fences, access roads and other interventions be approved without assessing the impact on the dunes, coastal forest and ecological corridors?" said Zhupa.

In response, Jaupaj stated that the government's commitment to nature protection should not be questioned, as, according to him, there are facts and laws that prove this. He further added that the Zvërnec project will be subject to an in-depth analysis of its impact on the environment. Among other things, he stated that Albanian legislation does not impose prohibitions, but conditions on how they should be implemented.

"No one can question our commitment to nature, because it is measurable. It is a healthy and necessary debate, but we must rely on facts, laws and science."

First, allegations have been raised that the environmental procedure has been bypassed. The facts show that, after reviewing the documentation, it was decided that it should be subjected to the in-depth environmental impact procedure, i.e. the highest level of legislation has been activated. The project will be subjected to a full analysis. In other words, the Albanian state has decided that environmental decision-making should be based on scientific evidence. It is precisely the guarantee that nature protection should be based on facts, studies and professional assessments.

Status of the protected area. The Pishe-Poro area has been declared a protected area, category V, which is not a strict nature reserve. The philosophy is based on the coexistence of nature and economic and social activity. Residential centers, etc. can exist on protected areas. Albanian law does not impose prohibitions, but conditions on how they should be implemented.

"The EU requires compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directive. The project should be developed based on the concrete impact it may have. The articles require an appropriate impact assessment and not an automatic ban," said Jaupaj. /CNA