Albanian Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation (MEKI) issued a public statement regarding the recent draft decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Center on Butrint.

“Those who have long spread various falsehoods, out-of-context truths, and half-truths in both Albanian and English, hoping to return Butrint to its dark past on the World Heritage in Danger list, have every right to feel disappointed after the publication of the draft decision by the World Heritage Center at the beginning of last week,” MEKI stated.

According to the Ministry, the document, which will be submitted to the World Heritage Committee for official decision-making, is based on UNESCO’s detailed analysis of MEKI and its partners’ work in studying, conserving, managing, and sustainably developing Butrint, as well as meeting ICOMOS recommendations.

“MEKI, representing the Albanian state in the World Heritage Convention, finds the draft decision and its analytical report very objective and entirely correct. We are pleased to note that it not only refrains from evoking Butrint’s problematic past but looks towards the future, appreciating the cooperation between the Albanian state and the World Heritage Center in discussing development proposals for the World Heritage site and its protected landscape,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry also welcomed scientific and impact studies on cultural heritage preceding development projects, the progress made towards formulating necessary instruments for Butrint’s conservation and management, the updates to the action plan, and the preparation of the Butrint Management Foundation for its implementation.

Additionally, the Ministry supports efforts to establish a joint structure with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for managing the entire National Park as a whole and simplifying the protective systems of its sub-areas.

The draft decision also sets out several tasks that MEKI must complete by early 2025.

“We share UNESCO’s views on these tasks and have immediately begun work on fulfilling them, as we consider them fundamental for ensuring the protection, development, and addressing future environmental, climatic, social, and economic challenges of Butrint,” MEKI stated.

Moreover, to enhance communication and strengthen coordination with UNESCO, MEKI has formed a special team of experienced experts and specialists from the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation and the National Institute of Cultural Heritage.

“The focus of this team is the continuous process of mutual information, quality dialogue, and coordination with UNESCO and other stakeholders, translating the results from this process into coordinated work lines with relevant ministries, municipalities, partners, and the community,” the statement continued.

Finally, MEKI announced a schedule of meetings to deepen cooperation, starting with the next meeting in Paris on June 27, 2024, between senior UNESCO representatives and Ministers from MEKI and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, along with their respective technical teams. This meeting will precede the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, of July 21-31, 2024.

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