OSCE Presence supports environment projects in Albania

TIRANA, 22 September 2005 - Clean cities, healthy environment and a better air quality were the aims of a public awareness campaign, which took place today with the support and the financial assistance of the of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

The community-based activities, organized under the slogan 'Together for a Clean City', were indorsed by the Albanian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management.

In Durres, Lushnja, Shkodra, Kruja, Kukes and Vlora cars at certain hours were not allowed to enter the city centres, local residents were shown the proper way of garbage disposal and a clean-up campaign took place at the Lake Fierza. Other activities included TV debates on environmental issues and bicycle rides by public figures.

"The involvement of several cities in the framework of the European activities of the Clean Cities and Car Free Day is significant to the increase in our common government and community efforts on the protection of the environment and, in particular, of the air quality, and to the raising of the public awareness on these issues," said Minister of Environment, Forestry and Water Management, Lufter Xhuveli.

OSCE Field Stations in Vlora, Kukes and Shkodra, as well as the Tirana/Durres Liaison Office facilitated the co-ordination efforts among the local non-governmental organizations involved in the project in co-operation with their respective municipalities.