Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001038/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sebastian Everding (The Left), Gordan Bosanac (Verts/ALE), Thomas Waitz (Verts/ALE)
The Western Balkans region is an important European biodiversity hotspot, hosting habitats that support a wide array of species and ecosystems. Home to extensive mountain ranges, forests, rivers, lakes and karst landscapes, it harbours numerous endemic and endangered species, such as the Balkan lynx. With fewer than 40 individuals remaining, the Balkan lynx is on the brink of extinction (with ‘critically endangered’ status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List), making it one of Europe’s most endangered large carnivores. Apart from illegal killing and a lack of conservation plans, its extinction is propelled by the destruction of its habitat.
The conservation of this species and the region’s rich natural resources is critical, as both are integral not only to the region’s ecological sustainability, but also to its cultural identity and economic stability, ensuring Europe-wide integrity of ecosystems.
The Balkan lynx’s habitat traverses Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, and is in dire need of protection. National efforts have been limited, regarding the transposition of the EU’s Nature Directives (Birds[1] and Habitats[2] Directives), which would ensure a proper legal framework for habitat protection and management.
What is the Commission doing to address the urgent need for the transposition of the relevant EU Nature Directives to this region, and to ensure their implementation at national level?
Submitted: 11.3.2025
- [1] Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/147/oj.
- [2] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1992/43/oj.