Zvërnec resort will not be stopped, says PM

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has said a planned resort in Zvërnec will go ahead despite protests over the project.

The resort is planned near the Vjosa-Narta protected area, one of Albania’s most sensitive coastal zones.

Environmental groups and protesters say the project could damage the area.

Speaking on his weekly podcast, Rama said the project would bring economic development and should be improved, not cancelled.

He again blamed social media for driving the protests, saying many claims about the project were distorted or only partly true.

Rama said some people had joined the protests out of real concern for nature, but had been caught up in online anger.

He called on protesters to check the facts.