Parliament approves the “Search and Rescue Services” law, minister Vengu: Albania has a duty to provide reliable and efficient service

Published: Thursday, 31 October 2024 13:37

Albanian Parliament passes law to modernize search and rescue services With 72 votes in favor and 2 abstentions, the Albanian Parliament approved the bill “On Amendments and Additions to the Law on Search and Rescue Services in the Republic of Albania.
This new law is designed to create an efficient, up-to-date search and rescue service, clarifying its areas of responsibility and addressing the current need for restructuring in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s regulations.
While advocating for the bill in the plenary session, Defense Minister Mr. Pirro Vengu called it a fundamental step toward aligning with international standards and strengthening Albania’s search and rescue capacities. He noted, “Over the last three years, Albania has seen a rise in air and maritime traffic, increasing the need for a search and rescue service that meets international standards in both marine and aviation incident response.”

Minister Vengu emphasized that the government’s primary aim in updating this law is to ensure that search and rescue services across the Air, Ground, and Naval Forces are well-prepared to meet new challenges in Albania. The second objective, he added, is compliance with international conventions, particularly the International Civil Aviation Convention. “Under these conventions, Albania has a duty to provide reliable, efficient search and rescue services that are coordinated with partner agencies, especially for incidents in Albania’s jurisdiction,” - he explained.

The law also sets up a system to oversee search and rescue services, assigning the Civil Aviation Authority responsibility for monitoring and regularly auditing service performance, technological investments, and human resources for this 24/7 national service.
In addition, the law establishes the National Search and Rescue Committee under the Ministry of Defense. This committee, led by the National Search and Rescue Coordinator—Albania’s Chief of General Staff—includes representatives from relevant ministries and the National Civil Protection Agency. This body will coordinate all resources in response to air and maritime emergencies.