Environmental concerns, fines for those who pollute

Environmental pollution not only become a concern for tourists visiting Albania, but also a risk to the residents themselves.

Minister of Tourism and Environment, Blendi Klosi, during a meeting held in the district of Vlora, sought co-operation between the municipalities for waste management, while also stressing the need for business involvement in the cleaning project.

“To turn Albania into a tourist destination, we need to determine the cause of the pollution and then to concentrate on the work to solve this issue.

"But this is a job that belongs not only to the central government, but undoubtedly, it is difficult enough that the issue must be solved in collaboration with local government.

"So we need to good co-ordination between the factors and actors, and have the opportunity to include business as well,” stated Minister Klosi.

Important for Klosi is also the behavior of the inhabitants, of Albanian society, towards the environment. The minister went on to request the denunciation of abusers.

“We as the government will do our utmost to improve the legislation, but we really need to also focus or civillian education and make this a civillian reaction to the crisis," said Blendi Klosi.

On the other hand, Deputy Minister , Ornela Çuçi requested the concrete determination of the Landfills that will serve for the next 5 to 10 years.

“We are working to clearly define the points in which each municipality will have, in the next 5 to 10 years to come, for depositing urban waste.

"This is to ensure that urban waste does not to go into the rivers anymore," added Ornela Çuçi.