The former Dutch deputy ambassador to Tirana, Hans Teunissen, in a letter addressed to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed the concerns of several European NGOs over the river Vjosa and appealed to the government for its designation as a National Park.

“Many international NGOs such as IUCN, Euro Natur, WWF and European Wilderness Association which are also active in Albania have already expressed their concern about your country’s reputation with regard to the protection and preservation of valuable nature,” wrote Teunissen.

In his letter, Teunissen mentions that in spite of earlier proclamations of “unwavering support” to establish Vjosa as a National Park, there are doubts that the status might be downgraded to a “protected area” due to commercial interests.

He argued that such a decision would allow the construction of dams that would destroy the “virgin and the vulnerable state of Vjosa” and cause irreparable damages.

Teunissen writes that downgrading the status to a “protected area” only

Furthermore, the former deputy ambassador mentions that trustworthiness is one of the most important factors for a politician, and “sticking to” earlier promises on Vjosa would mean earning the support and respect of the citizens.

“I would guess that the Albanian people would like you to stick with your earlier promise on Vjosa National Park. I can assure you that nature lovers all over Europe would applaud the decision to create a Vjosa National Park, thus protecting it from destruction by commercial interests” added the diplomat.

At the end of his letter, speaking on “behalf of European nature-lovers” and several environmental NGOs, Teunissen also recalled the moment when the Berisha government lost the elections after a bitter electoral race.

All Albanians were hopeful that the change in government would lead to an end of the ingrained corruption. It is up to you to prove them right”, urged the Dutch diplomat.