EP urges Albania to halt hydropower projects on Vjosa river

Strasbourg, 4 May 2015 (MIA) – The European Parliament has called on the Albanian government to once again reconsider the decision on building hydropower plants on Vjosa river and its tributaries, because such a project could endanger one of the last ‘intact’ rivers in Europe.

An overwhelming majority of the 751-member Parliament urged Albania to quit its intentions and large projects in connection to hydropower plants, especially those in national parks, Serbia’s Tanjug agency reported.

Vjosa is the last ‘wild’ river in Europe and nature is intact along its 270-km flow. However, of the eight hydropower stations, two are already being constructed on the river.

“Together with our partners in Albania we are trying to halt the hydropower projects and establish the first European wild river national park in the Vjosa valley. The EP is sending a strong signal to the Albanian government to abandon these projects,” stated Ulrich Eichelmann, coordinator of the “Let’s Save the Blue Heart of Europe” campaign, led by theenvironmental NGOs RiverWatch and EuroNatur.