The Vjosa River Declaration

Save Europes Big Wild River

The Vjosa River in Albania is one of the last living wild rivers in Europe. For more than 230 kilometers it is untamed and free flowing, characterized by beautiful canyons, braided river sections and meandering stretches. Together with its tributaries the Vjosa creates a dynamic near-natural ecosystem, a true European natural heritage. At the same time the Vjosa is one of Europes least known rivers. Ecological and hydro morphological data are extremely limited. However, 8 dams are foreseen along its course in Albania. One of them, Kaliva, was under construction, but works are halted. These dam projects would destroy this unique river system. They also violate EU law, such as Natura 2000 Directives and the Water Framework Directive. We, Albanian NGOs, strongly oppose the planned hydropower projects. Instead, we want to save our natural heritage. The Vjosa is not only a natural treasure for Albania and for all of Europe, but also a treasure of cultural and socio-historical heritage. The Vjosa should become a natural lab for all, who want to learn about living rivers. Therefore we ask you Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania to stop the dam projects and to protect the Vjosa in its full length instead. For the benefit of people, nature and science. Respectfully Signed by:

Kujtim Mersini, Society for Preservation and Protection of

Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA)

Teuta Hoxha, Institute of Management and Environment

Integrity (IMIM)

Elvis ela, Centre Environment Protection, Education and

Rehabilitee (EPER)

Simo Ribaj, Social Education and Environment Protection

(SEEP)

Lavdosh Ferruni, Society of Organic Agriculture (SOA)

Shklqim Bylykbashi, European Horizon

Ermelinda Mahmutaj, Environmental centre for

Development, Education and Networking (EDEN Centre)

Rita Strakosha, " Groupimi Ekolvizja "

Aida Bani, Centre for Agro-Environmental & Economic Management (AEEM-CENTER)

Abdulla Diku, PSEDA - ILIRIA

Kol MALAJ, Society of Forest Experts

Zamir Dedej, Institute of Nature Conservation in Albania

(INCA)

Valbona Mazreku, Milieukontakt Albania Edvin Pacara, Environmental Policies Institute

Ali Delilaj, Society Environment, Waters, Forests

Shklqim Hajno, Ionian Agency for Environment, Media

and Information

Catherine Bohne, Journey to Valbona

Elton Caushi, Albanian Trip