Do Not Violate Private Property – Albania Needs Development, Investments, and the Rule of Law
By Flamur Buçpaphaj
Private property is sacred and one of the fundamental pillars of a free economy and the development of a country. It must not be violated, either physically or through artificial obstruction, as long as the owner or investor operates in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Albania.
In a democratic state with a market economy, private property must be fully respected. When a company has legally purchased land, obtained the necessary environmental permits, construction permits, and all relevant approvals from state institutions, it has the right to develop its activity without being obstructed or attacked.
Albania urgently needs investments. Without investment there are no jobs, no economic development, and no prosperity. Every serious investment, whether domestic or foreign, brings capital, economic growth, tax revenues for the state, and opportunities for local communities.
The main cause of underdevelopment in many areas of the country is insecurity toward investments and the obstruction of lawful projects. When investors face continuous protests, public pressure, or on-site blockades, they lose confidence and withdraw. This leads to direct economic consequences: lack of employment, reduced local income, and capital leaving the country.
The social consequences are even deeper. When there are no investments, young people leave the country in search of work. Families are left without stable income. Rural and mountainous areas remain undeveloped and abandoned. A cycle of poverty is created that deepens over time. Therefore, obstructing investments is not only an economic issue but also a social and national one.
The investor’s nationality does not matter. They may be Albanian, European, American, Israeli, or Asian. What matters is that they respect Albanian law and contribute to the country’s development. Countries that grow are those that attract investment, not those that drive it away.
Unfortunately, in Albania, investment and development projects are often targeted by protests and blockades, even when they are fully licensed and legally approved. Protest is a democratic right, but when it turns into an obstacle to development, it becomes a public and economic harm.
The Albanian state has institutions, experts, and legal procedures to assess the environmental and urban impact of any project. Permits are not issued randomly but based on legal and technical criteria. Therefore, once a project is approved by law, it must be respected unless a competent authority decides otherwise.
Environmental protection is essential and important, but it must be part of development, not its enemy. Many environmental conflicts arise from a lack of trust in institutions and a lack of accurate information. Without transparency, misunderstandings and social tensions are created.
The case of Valbona is a clear example of this phenomenon. In this area, according to my conviction and field experience, the investment of the company Tplani shpk was equipped with the relevant environmental and construction permits issued by competent Albanian state institutions.
However, it became the subject of protests that, in my opinion, caused economic damage to the project and created an unnecessary climate of tension. In public discourse, an exaggerated narrative was presented as if a major environmental destruction was taking place, increasing social polarization and dividing local communities, institutions, and investors.
In reality, cleaning and rehabilitation works were also carried out in the field, including reforestation and site management. This shows that development and environmental protection can coexist when state control and law enforcement are applied properly.
Another social issue in such cases is the existence of double standards. In some areas, illegal constructions and uncontrolled developments that harm the environment are tolerated, while legally approved investments face strong opposition. This creates social injustice and weakens trust in institutions.
Today, Valbona remains one of Albania’s natural jewels and an important tourist destination. Tourists continue to visit it, showing that nature and development can coexist when the law is respected. Controlled development brings more services, more local economic activity, and more opportunities for residents.
I believe that Valbona, like every other area of Albania, must develop based on the rule of law, respect for private property, and the fight against illegal construction. Any future political or institutional responsibility must ensure that every decision is in full compliance with the law and the public interest.
Albania cannot move forward by obstructing investments and violating private property. The economic consequences are stagnation and lack of development, while the social consequences are poverty, unemployment, and emigration. The main cause of these problems is the lack of stability for investors and the lack of respect for private property.
Economic development, innovation, and investment are the only path toward prosperity. The state must guarantee the law, protect property, increase transparency, and create a safe climate for both domestic and foreign investors.
Finally, it must be clearly emphasized that no investor should be obstructed once they have obtained all permits from the state. The state does not issue permits against the law or nature, but based on expertise and legal procedures. Protests are also a right, but they must not violate private property or block development.
It is the state itself that decides where a project should or should not be developed. Unused and barren land is lost land for the economy; it generates no value. In capitalism, value is created through development, investment, and production. Anything that does not produce economic value and jobs is effectively “dead” for national development. Therefore, Albania must move toward a model where every possible space is legally utilized to create jobs, income, and well-being for its citizens.
