In a statement, the Initiative argues that the Albanian government’s recent investment deals with domestic and foreign business groups are being made at the expense of the natural environment and local communities. It says tourism development plans do not address the country’s core social and economic problems, such as low wages, youth migration and shortages in public services.
The organisers link developments in Albania to similar cases in Greece, where, they note, large investment projects have provoked opposition over the protection of beaches, forests and other natural ecosystems. In this context, they describe the struggle for environmental protection and sustainable development as a common one.
The full call reads:
Last Saturday, the Albanian community in Athens showed that it will not stand idly by in the face of the ‘disgraceful’ events taking place in Albania.
The government’s brokering of financial agreements with foreign and local oligarchs, to the detriment of the people of Albania as well as its flora and fauna, must come to a definitive end.
No ‘tourism development’ and no luxury resorts will help the Albanian economy, as government officials claim. The sale of land is the tip of the iceberg: low wages, ever-increasing rates of youth emigration, the degradation of public healthcare, education and public goods, as well as the defiant apathy and arrogance with which Albanian governments have historically treated the people, have reached breaking point. And it is precisely these people, young men and women, who are taking to the streets and shouting: ‘Enough is enough!’
After all, the same model of ‘development’ is experienced by residents of Greece, where so-called ‘strategic investments’ are often planned at the expense of the country’s free beaches, rivers, forests and natural landscapes. Our struggle, therefore, is common: for a sustainable future based on respect for and protection of nature, as a precious common good for current and future generations. We continue to add our voices to those who have been protesting for weeks against the sale of their land in Albania.
Finally, as the Albanian Immigration and Solidarity Initiative, we emphasise that our protest is peaceful. This means that we demonstrate peacefully, without aggression and without seeking conflict among ourselves. On the contrary, we recognise that we come from different ideologies, starting points and opinions. Our common point is the protection of our country and its future. Let us always remember that we are here with a common purpose, and that only united can we be truly effective. Divisions only serve those who want to weaken us.
We call on our compatriots, as well as every person in solidarity, to join our protest this Sunday at Syntagma Square, for the immediate cancellation of the project.
Let us prevent complete ecological disaster.
Let us prevent the sale of land.
This land belongs to its people.
Slogans:
Sazani, Zverneci, ne fyt do ju ngeci!
Mos na lini pa atdhe, ketu liggin e bejme ne!
Annullo Projektin!
Atdheu, atdheu, atdheu eshte i yni!
From Gavdos to Sazan, our islands are selling out!
Neither land nor water, nature belongs to the people!
No sacrifice for the oligarchy, hands off Albania!
Tirana, Athens, Gavdos and Sazan, solidarity will forever win!
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