The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro was this Monday invited to an interview for Euronews Albania where she said that the issue of toxic waste is still in process.

Kumbaro said that the entire inspection team is working on the ground. She added that chemical analyzes of the materials in the containers should be done, so any conclusion without these analyzes would be hasty.

“It is a matter in process. The entire inspection team is checking on the ground, not only the entities mentioned in the case in question, but also all other entities. We are also in close communication with law enforcement bodies, such as the Durrës Prosecutor’s Office. Documentation and chemical analysis of the materials in the containers are needed, so any other conclusion would be too hasty”, said Kumbaro.

She also said that all industries that export waste must have documented the type of waste they export and must also be provided with authorization from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

“Many companies or industries that operate in the territory are definitely industries that also create waste, just like a hotel or supermarket. The waste law provides for how it is controlled. All industries must be equipped with an environmental permit in terms of how they manage their waste, waste which is classified into hazardous and non-hazardous.

Hazardous waste must be documented. Even their transport is controlled. An entity that transports waste must be equipped with a license, with a unique code, and if it is about the export of waste, they necessarily need the authorization of the Ministry of the Environment, where each element is determined, the place where they will come out, where they will pass and where will they arrive”, said Mirela Kumbaro.

For the case in question, she said that the subject did not declare the export of waste, but declared it as a commodity, so the ministry did not issue an authorization for the export of waste.