The members of the Naval Force, part of the Armed Forces, have been engaged in cleaning the beaches this summer season for some time now, in collaboration with the local authorities.
Defense Minister Pirro Vengu and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, conducted an inspection of the work being done on some of the beaches in the Himare and Saranda municipalities.
The Minister of Defense underscored the significance of enhanced collaboration between all authorities for the effective management of the coastline, particularly during the summer season, which has witnessed a considerable influx of tourists. “It is with great importance that the Coast Guard, particularly during this season, maintains close coordination with the Maritime Unit of the Border Police and the municipalities. They must be deployed to these challenging areas to ensure control of the territory and to maintain order on these heavily frequented beaches,” stated Minister Vengu.
In a recent statement, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku highlighted the necessity of the Armed Forces’ intervention in addressing the current situation, particularly in light of the imminent tourist season. She emphasized the importance of a swift and effective solution, noting that the army’s involvement is crucial, both on land and at sea. It would be prudent to conduct a comprehensive analysis at the end of the season to identify key lessons learned from this surge in activity. Based on past experience, such an analysis would likely reveal additional areas of vulnerability that require attention. The previous year’s season was brought to a successful conclusion, with all identified issues from that period successfully mitigated. However, the current year has seen an influx of visitors to Albania, resulting in the discovery of previously unidentified weaknesses that require immediate attention within the current season. “It is imperative that we prepare for the forthcoming season,” Balluku stated.
Additionally, the Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, underscored the necessity of reforming the maritime administration. “The Coast Guard is one of the maritime forces with comprehensive capabilities at sea and thus bears the responsibility to coordinate more effectively. One issue that has emerged this year and requires attention in the forthcoming year is the manner in which ships, large yachts, and their captains are required to declare solid waste in ports and coastal areas of the south. This obligation extends to liquid waste on arrival and departure. The Minister of Defense emphasized the necessity of this instrument, which is most effectively applied in consolidated ports, and the need to identify a means of implementing it in smaller coastal areas.
During the inspection, the Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister met with Saranda’s mayor, Oltion Çaçi, and local forces. They underlined the importance of raising awareness among locals and tourism operators.