Coastal project row is not an ethnic dispute, Rama says

Prime Minister Edi Rama says a dispute over a planned coastal tourism project should not be treated as an ethnic issue between Albania and Greece.

The project is in Zvërnec, near the Narta lagoon, where protesters have opposed planned construction.

Rama said he was surprised by Greece’s reaction after a protester was dragged by a private security guard during a demonstration.

He said the violence was carried out by private guards, not by the state.

Rama said any dispute over land ownership should be settled in court.

He said the land had been registered for years and that investors had signed contracts with private owners.