Date: 30.01.2024

Subject: 56 civil society organizations in Albania request withdraw of the draft law on protected areas from the plenary session planned on 15.02.2024

Dear Ambassadors and Representatives in Albania,

Through this letter, 56 civil society organizations in Albania would like to share with you their request to the Albanian Government, respectively the Assembly of Albania and Council of Ministers, to withdraw the draft law on protected areas from its consideration in the plenary session of 15.02.2024. Kindly find attached the two request letters.

Our request is based on two major drivers: a) irregularities in the process of public consultation according to the Albanian legal package who gives rights to the public and interested stakeholders to get informed and participate in decision-making; and b) the content of the proposed legal changes to the existing law no. 81/2017 “On Protected areas” goes against full transposition and implementation of the EU related Directives which ensure biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

We believe that these requests go in line with all your important work, investments and values in Albania not only for environmental protection but also for rule of law, democracy, good and participative governance and human rights.

We would like to thank you for the extensive and already provided support to this case, we appreciate if you would contribute the same especially at the crucial moment of final decision making.

We believe that we are together in this path and always appreciate your diplomatic support and cooperation to improve protection and management of Albanian Protected Areas.

With kind regards,

Albanian Civil Society Organizations, signatories of the request letters

You can find a copy of the letter sent to the Assembly of the Republic of Albania at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WD7chSPb_1-KUaG8jlLi_QL4XoD1g15D/view?usp=sharing