Civil society has continued its protest against the Albanian American Development Fund’s (AADF) proposed involvement in a private foundation that will manage the historic Butrint Park in the south of the county.
Yesterday, protestors gathered outside of Parliament as the Economy Committee voted to overturn President Ilir Meta’s veto of the law that would pave the way for the park’s management by the foundation, including AADF, for 10 years.
The protests continued on Wednesday (13 July) outside the office of the AADF in Tirana and the granting of a concession, also to the AADF for the management of the Amphitheatre in Durres. They claim the AADF is taking the role of the Ministry of Culture and that Albanian heritage should not be managed by a foreign entity.
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.
Now, 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 AADF is a non-profit entity, registered in Delaware, in the United States.
Exit Explains: The Concession Agreement for the Management of Butrint National Park
