Vjosa-Narta protected landscape: 2024 law amendment and 2026 EU and NGO challenges
Status: Ongoing. No confirmed parliamentary repeal found in sources reviewed. Government review of Law 21/2024 announced (secondary source).
Summary
Vjosa-Narta (Pishe Poro-Narte) was proclaimed a protected landscape by Council of Ministers regulation No. 680 (Ecolex listing; year 2004 per search summary). Law No. 21/2024 amended Law No. 81/2017 on protected areas. According to BirdLife and other NGOs, the amendment allowed tourism-related development in certain protected-area categories, and BirdLife says it allowed resort construction in previously strictly protected zones.
In June 2026 the European Parliament, in its resolution on Albania's 2025 report, adopted Amendment 46a (per Citizens.al and BirdLife), calling for an immediate moratorium on new permits and works in protected areas and for repeal of the 2024 amendments. Government statements reported by IntelliNews (15 July 2026, secondary) say it will review the law to EU standards rather than repeal it. The Politico/N1 report says SPAK opened an investigation covering the Vjosa-Narta area; no official SPAK statement was found.
Key facts
- Regulation No. 680 proclaimed the Vjose-Narte protected landscape (Ecolex listing; 2004 per search summary).
- Law No. 21/2024 amended Law No. 81/2017 (search summary of the Albanian Parliament text).
- European Parliament resolution, 17 June 2026: Amendment 46a calls for a moratorium and repeal (Citizens.al, BirdLife press release).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- The 2004 protected-landscape designation (Ecolex record).
- The European Parliament resolution with the moratorium and repeal demand, 17 June 2026.
What is alleged (2)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationConstruction without permits or EIA in protected dunes and lagoon (NGO claim; government says lawful).
- AllegationMisleading statement to parliament on the lagoon opening (BirdLife claim).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationWorks without permits in Pishe Poro-Narte since late April 2026 (BirdLife, Mongabay).
- AllegationThe 2024 law weakened safeguards to allow luxury tourism (BirdLife, PPNEA, EcoAlbania).
Open questions (3)
- Whether Parliament has voted to amend or repeal Law 21/2024 after the July 2026 government announcement.
- Text and legal analysis of the 2024 amendment, especially the zoning categories allowing tourism.
- Whether an official SPAK case number or statement exists for the Vjosa-Narta investigation.
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Government: works comply with the law; the law will be reviewed to EU standards (per search summaries of IntelliNews and BirdLife coverage).
- NGOs (PPNEA, EcoAlbania) refuse to join consultations until Law 21/2024 is repealed (search summary).
Timeline
Full timeline →Government
Vjosa-Narta proclaimed protected landscape
Council of Ministers regulation No. 680 proclaimed the Vjose-Narte protected landscape (Ecolex listing; year per search summary).
Parliament
Protected Areas Law amended (Law No. 21/2024)
The amendment allowed tourism and resort development in certain protected-area categories, per BirdLife and search summaries.
Other
Heavy machinery enters Pishe Poro-Narte protected area
Mongabay and BirdLife report machinery working in the protected area from late April 2026 without permits or EIA (NGO claim; government says the works comply with the law).
International
European Parliament backs moratorium on construction in protected areas
EP resolution on Albania's 2025 report: Amendment 46a calls for an immediate moratorium on permits and works in protected areas and repeal of the 2024 changes; the freeze to stay until repeal.
Government
Government says it will review the protected-areas law to EU standards
IntelliNews reports the government says it has nothing to repeal but will review Law 21/2024 'based on all European standards'. A secondary source reports the PM said the strategic investments law would be repealed. Parliamentary action not confirmed.
Connections
- Investigation←Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK)Source label: Under investigation
Reported SPAK investigation
Evidence: Politico, as relayed by N1, says SPAK opened an investigation into the Sazan resort and Vjosa-Narta area; no official SPAK statement found.
- Government decision←Protected areas: Law 21/2024 amendments and Constitutional Court challengeSource label: Officially reported
Law 21/2024 amends the protected-areas framework (cross-reference; facts in contracts file)
Evidence: Cross-reference only; Vjosa-Narta facts are in.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 10 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 1 source
- Publisher
- ECOLEX
- Date
- 2004
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 7 sources
- Publisher
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (Albania)
- Date
- Dec 2019
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 17 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- BirdLife International
- Date
- 17 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- BirdLife International
- Date
- 7 Sep 2026
- Publisher
- IntelliNews
- Date
- 15 Jul 2026
- Publisher
- BirdLife International
- Date
- 2 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- EcoAlbania
- Date
- Jul 2025
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Mongabay
- Date
- Jun 2026
- Publisher
- N1 (citing Politico)
- Date
- not recorded