UNESCO concerned over illegal constructions

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has expressed its concern over the lack of control for illegal constructions in both Gjirokastra and Berat and regrets that a long-term plan has not been established to rectify the violations that have already occurred in order to improve the value and integrity of the property. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee says that no progress is being made to introduce a programme for archaeological interventions in case of implementation of major restoration, as well as for the lack of an agreed overall fire response plan for the entirety of the property.
The Committee recognises the efforts made to develop a tourism plan in Berat which aims to support the needs of the local community within the framework of the management plan and also expresses its great concern that no such plan has been developed for Gjirokastra.
It reiterates its request to the Albania to urgently put in place an agreed action plan and timescale to address the current ones and prevent any further violations;
The Committee also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to assess the overall state of conservation of the property, progress in its management and whether the criteria for the possible inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger are met.