DPA: Albania's Rama rejects criticism of Kushner-linked luxury resort plans

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said protests against a planned luxury resort on the country's Adriatic coast were based on misinformation, rejecting claims that protected land was being sold to investors linked to the family of US President Donald Trump.

"The facts say that there is no deal on Sazan Island," Rama told dpa in an interview in Berlin. "It's all lies."

Rama said his government was still negotiating a joint business venture to build what would be Albania's first luxury resort on Sazan Island. He confirmed that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, was among a group of potential investors.

However, Rama blasted what he described as false reports that the "Kushners got the island and Albania sold the island."

"Albania has become a platform for all the anti-Trump outrage all over the world," Rama said.

The Balkan country, which is seeking European Union membership, has seen weeks of protests against the development plans. Thousands have demonstrated in the capital Tirana, with clashes breaking out between protesters and police.

In addition to Sazan Island, the plans include a private development on a small peninsula near the town of Zvërnec , whose dunes separate the Narta Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. The area is protected as a habitat for numerous bird and animal species.

Rama said preliminary exploratory work at the site had been temporarily paused because of the "pressure," but added that the project would ultimately move forward.

The prime minister stressed that no construction applications had yet been submitted for either Sazan or Zvërnec. He said environmental impact assessments would be carried out.

According to the government, limited and environmentally sensitive development is permitted in both areas.

Environmental groups have criticized amendments to Albania's protected areas law adopted in 2024. The government has described the changes as a clarification of the areas' protection status, but the EU has said the amendments weakened environmental protections.
Rama rejected that assessment.

He said there was "no chance" that an EU candidate country such as Albania would pursue a project that was not in "full compliance" with EU environmental impact criteria. (DPA)