Critics concerned that proposed Radika River deviation could have negative repercussions downstream in Albania
TIRANA, Jan. 22 – Civic organizations have started protests trying to warn the government against accepting the building of a hydropower station of Radika in neighboring Macedonia, which would change the river bank and cause damage in water inflow for the Drin River in Albania.
The civic organization is also supported by the opposition Democratic Party calling on the government to be transparent and not let neighbors built the power station to damage their river basins in the north, that supply the main electricity production in the country.
Such fears have come after ethnic Albanians in Macedonia hinted in the media that Skopje has already completed plans for the power station and is only waiting for funding from international institutions. Albanian Energy Minister Damian Gjiknuri said Wednesday the fears are unfounded and that there had been no information that Macedonia would proceed without permission from the neighbors, according to international agreements.
According to international conventions, neighboring countries should ask each other on the use of joint rivers.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also said that there is no fear that any such project would be let free to damage the country’s prospects.
