The Economy Committee of the Albanian Parliament on Tuesday (13 July) overturned the decree of President Ilir Meta, who vetoed the law on the management of Butrint, defending the giving of the park’s management to a private foundation.
In 2020, the law changed to allow Butrint to be controlled by the Ministry of Culture and a “strategic partner” as a part of the Integrated Management Plan for Butrint National Park.”
The plan was drafted by a British law firm and commissioned by the AADF.
It is confirmed that AADF will be part of the Butrint Management Foundation, which will see the site partially controlled by a private entity for the first time in its history. They will be involved in managing it for a period of ten years in return for a grant of $5 million.
The presidency’s representative Bledar Dervishaj argued that the president had returned it mainly due to conflicts with the Constitution and violations of international conventions and resolutions of the European Parliament on cultural heritage. He called for establishing a Special Parliamentary Commission as the matter is “of high public interest”.
“If the majority chooses to overturn the decree and continue with its entry into force, it would not serve the interests of the country but also would worsen the relationship between the state body and civil society, experts, and citizens,” he said.
Dervishaj also highlighted that the management plan means there is no possibility for an independent audit concerning the revenues generated and how they are used.
Blerina Gjylameti argued that private management was a better model than state management as private individuals have more funds and investment opportunities.
The matter was then voted on with the Socialist majority’s votes overturning those in opposition.
President Meta released a statement vote, calling the behaviour of the majority “arrogant and corrupt”.
“Deputies who have acted in this way are politically dictated to move towards the scenario of jeopardizing one of the national assets, such as Butrint, only for completely dark, completely corrupt reasons and deeper than that, sensationalizing”, – he said in a press release at noon.
Exit Explains: The Concession Agreement for the Management of Butrint National Park
