President of the Republic, Ilir Meta has appealed Monday the responsible authorities to undertake an urgent and well-organised operation to extinguish the fires that have engulfed Albania as he revealed that he has been following the situation for many days.

On a statement, the Head of State Highlighted that there are currently over 70 active fires throughout Albania, some of which require the organization of air operations by the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces as he noted that it is intolerable for local and central structures to fight the flames only with circumstantial tools in most operations.

Meanwhile, President Meta called for the addressal of the European Civil Protection Mechanism for assistance as soon as possible, “given that the absolute priority should be the protection of life and public and private property” and stressed that “the situation is nevertheless precipitating very dangerously” despite the sacrifices made so far by the fire brigade, the personnel of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Interior.

“I have been following with much worry for days the alarming situation of the spread of fires in some regions of the country, with very serious consequences for our natural resources.

For more than a month, I have requested the timely response of the structures of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior to support the local government, in all municipalities, to be ready for unbearable situations for local capacities, in response to warnings previously made by the Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment.

There are currently over 70 active fires throughout Albania, some of which require the organization of air operations by the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

It is intolerable that local and central structures, in most operations, appear only with circumstantial means.

I therefore encourage the necessity of an emergency intervention, well directed and coordinated, to succeed in the fight against fire, through the immediate taking of other effective and drastic measures.

Acquainted with the public call of the Head of the Supreme State Audit, I share the same assessment on the need for urgent return to duty for the implementation of the obligations of the Director of the National Agency for Civil Protection, and I condemn him with force this unacceptable, irresponsible behavior and on the verge of abuse of office criminal offense”, pronounced the President of Albania.