The leader of the Self-Determination Movement, Albin Kurti, publicly called on the Albanian government to declare river Vjosa a national park and renounce plans to build new hydropower plants in the area.
Kurti took it to Twitter to stress out the river’s importance in connecting Albania to Europe and referring to it as part of the “European heritage”.
On #WorldWaterDay2021, I join the ppl of 🇦🇱, NGOs & @Europal_EN call to quit plans for new dams & declare #VjosaNationalParkNow
By saving VJOSA we save Europe’s last wild river, its very rare species, scenic canyons & the well-being of the communities.https://t.co/xWRWqY2aTR
— Albin Kurti (@albinkurti) March 22, 2021
“Vjosa, the river connecting Albania to Europe, is not only a national but a European richness and heritage. The wonderful canyons, rapid and irrepressible currents, unique ecosystem, and home to 1,100 species, make Vjosa the most unique river in Europe. Nothing has been done, despite the requests made by citizens, engagement of activists, and the resolution of the European Parliament to declare Vjosa a national park”, Kurti wrote.
Kosovo’s future premier said that continuous appeals to stop the construction of hydropower plants – as a potential danger to the river flows and negative impacts on the welfare of the surrounding community – have fallen on deaf ears.
Furthermore, Kurti appealed to Albania and Kosovo to come together and protect their natural resources.
“Now is the time, that we come together in Kosovo and Albania, in order to protect our natural resources left untouched and restore those that have already been damaged”, he concluded.
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