Open Letter from Albanian Community Organisations in the UK

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We, the undersigned Albanian charities, community organisations, and members of the  Albanian diaspora in the United Kingdom, express our concern regarding the proposed  developments in Sazan Island and the Zvërnec–Vjosa Narta area.  

This is not a question of being for or against investment. Albania needs investment,  opportunity, and sustainable economic growth. However, no investment should be placed  above the public interest, the rule of law, or the protection of our national heritage.  

Sazan and Vjosa-Narta are among Albania’s most valuable natural assets. Their environmental,  cultural, and strategic importance extends far beyond any single political term, government,  investor, or commercial project. Decisions affecting these areas will shape Albania’s legacy for  generations.  

The growing public response demonstrates that this is no longer a narrow environmental  concern. Thousands of citizens have participated in protests and public actions across Albania,  while petitions calling for greater protection of these areas have attracted tens of thousands of  supporters from Albania and the wider diaspora. Increasingly, these voices reflect a broader  civic movement centred on transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, and the  responsible management of Albania’s national assets.

This emerging movement deserves recognition and respect. It represents a growing public  expectation that decisions of national importance should be subject to meaningful scrutiny,  open debate, and genuine public participation. In any mature democracy, public engagement  on issues affecting a nation’s natural and cultural inheritance should be viewed as a strength,  not an obstacle to development. 

We therefore call for:

• Full transparency regarding all agreements, approvals, environmental assessments, and  land arrangements connected to these projects.
• Independent environmental and legal review before any irreversible development  proceeds.
• Meaningful consultation with local communities, civil society, environmental experts, and  the Albanian diaspora.
• A commitment that Albania’s protected natural areas will be governed according to the  highest standards of accountability, transparency, and public interest.
• The adoption of governance principles that ensure strategic national assets are protected  through long-term national planning, evidence-based decision-making, and institutional  accountability, rather than short-term political incentives, personal legacy projects, or  transactional arrangements.

As Albanians living abroad, we remain deeply connected to our homeland. We believe that true  patriotism means protecting what belongs to all Albanians—not only for today, but for future  generations. 

The Albanian diaspora includes highly experienced professionals across environmental science,  law, governance, finance, planning, engineering, academia, conservation, and public policy. We  stand ready to contribute our expertise, knowledge, and international experience in support of  transparent processes, sustainable development, and the responsible stewardship of Albania’s  natural and cultural assets.

Our intention is not merely to raise concerns, but to support solutions. We believe Albania can  achieve economic development while preserving the environmental, cultural, and strategic  assets that form part of its national identity and long-term prosperity. 

Political leaders, investors, and governments will come and go. Albania will remain.

For this reason, decisions concerning Albania’s most important natural and cultural assets must  be guided by long-term national interest rather than short-term advantage. The stewardship of  places such as Sazan and Vjosa-Narta demands leadership, institutions, and governance  frameworks capable of safeguarding the public interest across generations. 

The public interest must always outlast individual ambition, political advantage, and personal  legacy. 

We invite Albanian charities, associations, professionals, academics, students, business leaders,  and community organisations across the United Kingdom to join us in supporting transparency,  responsible governance, environmental stewardship, and the long-term interests of the  Albanian people. 

UKAP Foundation 

British Albanian Culture & Arts Association 

UCL Albanian Student Society 

Oxford Albanian Student Society 

Illyrian Brains

British Albanian Women Association