Former Dutch Deputy Ambassador to Tirana, Hans Teunissen, in a letter sent to Prime Minister Edi Rama, has expressed the concern of many non-governmental organizations in Europe regarding Vjosa River and appeals to the Albanian government for its transformation in National Park.
Many International Non-Governmental Organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Euro Natur, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the European Voluntary Association, which are also active in Albania, have already expressed concern about their reputation of your state regarding the protection and preservation of valuable natures", writes Mr. Teunissen, according to Euronews Albania.
In his letter, Mr. Teunissen mentions that despite the prime minister's early and unwavering desire to turn Vjosa into a National Park, there are no doubts that this status could be reduced to a "protected area" for commercial interests.
He argues that such a decision would allow the construction of dams, which would destroy the virgin Vjosa area causing irreparable damage.
"Reducing the status of a 'protected area' means a much lower level of protection and would allow a wide range of dams to be built, which would cause irreparable damage to the virgin and vulnerable Vjosa.,” Explains Mr. Teunissen.
In his letter, the diplomat writes that credibility is one of the most important factors from which a politician can gain the respect and support of his people and that “parliamentary elections in the country, which are expected very soon would seal your political fate ”.
"I believe that the Albanian people would like you to stick to your previous promise regarding the status of the Vjosa in the National Park. I can guarantee you that nature lovers all over Europe would applaud the decision to turn Vjosa into a National Park, protecting it from the destruction of commercial interests," the diplomat added.
At the end of his request, written on behalf of many nature lovers in Europe and various nature protection organizations, Teunissen mentioned that ten years ago he served as an observer during the parliamentary elections that led to the overthrow of the Berisha government after a fierce electoral race, implying that it is now up to the prime minister to prove that the change of the then government was in the best interest of the Albanians.