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Researcher Auron Tare has reacted through a Facebook post regarding Prime Minister Edi Rama's statements about Porto Palermo, demanding more transparency from institutions on projects that may be developed in this protected area.
According to Tare, it is true that the Bay of Porto Palermo was declared a Natural Park in 2022, with clearly defined boundaries, which places it under the protection regime provided for by legislation for protected areas.
He also recalls that since 2014–2015, there have been ideas and projects for opening the submarine tunnel to visitors. According to him, an Italian company had proposed not only opening the tunnel for tourism, but also adapting the buildings of the former military department for accommodation and hotel functions.
However, Tare emphasizes that the debate changes after the amendments adopted in the Law on Protected Areas in 2024, which, according to him, have been the subject of protests by environmental organizations and youth.
He notes that the 2024 amendments allow, under certain conditions, the development of tourist accommodation structures even within protected areas. For this reason, according to the researcher, Porto Palermo's status as a protected area does not automatically exclude the possibility of tourist developments, if they are in accordance with the law.
In his reaction, Tare raises several questions that, according to him, require answers from the responsible institutions.
"Prime Minister and Porto Palermo. In a public appearance this morning, the Prime Minister provided a clarification regarding the denunciation made yesterday evening during the protest, regarding the constructions in the Porto Palermo area, in the south of the country.
It is true that the Porto Palermo Bay was declared a protected area, specifically a Natural Park in 2022, with clearly defined borders. As such, the area is subject to the protection regime provided for by the legislation for protected areas.
It is also known that in 2014–2015 there were several ideas-projects for opening the submarine tunnel to visitors. An Italian company that developed this concept had also proposed the use of the buildings of the former military department, adapting them for accommodation and hotel functions for its own benefit.
Up to this point, the narrative is clear.
However, the issue changes with the amendments approved in the Law on Protected Areas in 2024. This very law has been the subject of public debate and protests organized by young people and environmental organizations.
The 2024 amendments foresee the possibility of developing tourist accommodation structures, under certain conditions, even within protected areas. This means that, despite the status of Porto Palermo as a protected area, the current legislation does not automatically exclude the possibility of tourist developments, if they meet the criteria set by law.
If there is a project for the opening of the submarine tunnel, an initiative that can be considered positive for cultural tourism, then several legitimate questions arise that deserve institutional answers:
1. Is it envisaged that the buildings of the former military department will be transformed into accommodation units or hotel structures?
2. If YES, then who will administer the tunnel and the surrounding complex? Will they be under the administration of Albanian public institutions of cultural heritage, as the Porto Palermo Castle and the House with Leaves are administered today, or will they be administered through a foundation or a private entity such as Butrint?
3. Is there a broader development project for the Porto Palermo Bay and, if so, does it include construction or tourist developments permitted by the amendments to the Law on Protected Areas of 2024?
These are questions that do not necessarily need to be answered by the Prime Minister. The responsibility for transparency lies with the competent institutions, such as the National Council of Territories, the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, as well as the National Agency for Protected Areas.
Answers to these questions would help clarify the goals of the project and strengthen public confidence that any development in Porto Palermo will respect the law, the public interest and the protection of natural and cultural heritage and not private interests.", writes Tare.
Auronit i ka mbetur qejfi.....!
Aronit i ka mbetur qejfi?nga gjithe shlrimi nuk shofe qejfmbetje vec kritikave per KM.