Rama says Albania tourism plans are not up for negotiation

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has told environmental protesters that his government will press ahead with major tourism plans, including in Zvërnec.

Speaking at a rally marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party’s founding, Rama said Albania aims to lift GDP to €35bn by 2030 and become a leading Mediterranean tourism destination.

He said development in Zvërnec would depend on the quality of investors’ plans, but added that the country’s tourism goals were “not negotiable”.

Rama said he was ready to discuss how to protect nature while building tourism.

But he accused political groups of taking over the protest and using environmental concerns to attack the government.