German MEP Terry Reintke said the European Parliament supports Albania’s progress towards European Union membership while stressing the importance of environmental, democratic and rule-of-law standards. She said the integration process should continue alongside respect for these standards. Reintke also called for a moratorium on development plans in protected areas and for the relevant legal framework to be aligned with European Union legislation.

Reintke said discussions about development in protected areas had raised questions about environmental standards and public participation. She linked these issues to the wider accession process and to negotiations on Chapter 27. She also said the European Commission should provide further clarification on the matter.

Reintke said Albania’s tourism sector should continue to develop, provided that projects comply with environmental requirements, legal procedures and democratic standards. She said the Greens in the European Parliament and a broad majority of MEPs support Albania’s EU membership. She added that Albanian citizens should have their rights protected during the accession process and that negotiations should continue alongside efforts to meet the relevant requirements.

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