Still a long way to go for Western Balkan states

EU Commission presents country reports on accession candidates

Mountain forest

There are still untouched forests in the Albanian Alps in the north of the country. But here, too, illegal logging is on the rise.

© Gabriel Schwaderer
Wetland in Albania

Where the Albanian Vjosa flows into the Adriatic Sea, it has created a bird paradise in form of the Narta Lagoon, which is under national and international protection.

© Xhemal Xherri/PPNEA

Every year, the EU Commission presents country reports on all candidates for EU membership. The reports on the Western Balkan states are of particular interest to EuroNatur. The current reports also show that all Western Balkan countries still have a long way to go, not only, but especially in nature conservation.

The further expansion of hydropower is criticized in almost all country reports. In particular, the EU Commission criticizes the lack of transparency in the approval procedures and the fact that nature conservation concerns are usually not taken into account. A development that EuroNatur has been observing for some time is now also reflected in the country reports: illegal logging is increasing rapidly in the Balkans and the EU Commission is calling on some of the Balkan countries to solve this problem.

The EU Commission is particularly clear in its report on Albania: it criticizes the Albanian government for signing a contract in April 2021 to build an international airport in the Vjosa-Narta lagoon, even though it is protected by national laws and international nature conservation conventions. Furthermore, the EU Commission points out that the Vjosa deserves effective protection as one of the last wild rivers in Europe. Thus, the EU Commission reinforces demands to the Albanian government, which EuroNatur and its Albanian and international partner organizations have been making for a long time.

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

The entire Aoos River in Greece and its tributaries are now protected

An important step was taken today by the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy with the designation of part of the catchment area of the…

Milestone for the protection of European forests on EU-level

The EU forest monitoring law emphasises common standards for the systematic collection of data which aligns with EuroNatur’s stance advocating for the…

Still plenty of room for improvement in the Western Balkans

There is still a long way to go for all the countries of the Western Balkans if they want to become members of the EU - especially when it comes to…

EuroNatur Award 2023: Signal of support for the protection of rivers in Poland

++ Polish Save the Rivers Coalition has received the EuroNatur Award ++ Odra expansion must be halted ++ Optimism for nature conservation in Poland…

EuroNatur Award for Polish Save the Rivers Coalition

++ This year's EuroNatur Award goes to Koalicja Ratujmy Rzeki ++ The award is also a political signal for more nature conservation in Poland and all…

Illegal garbage dumps cause conflicts with bears

Illegal garbage dumps near settlements are not only a problem for the soil and the environment. They often attract brown bears. Being omnivores, the…

Urgent call to halt implementation of Odra Revitalisation Act

Construction will have devastating consequences for the Odra and surrounding areas. 51 projects aim to engineer the rivers, create artificial…

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…