Albania luxury development: Rama backs Kushner-linked project amid protests

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania will proceed with a luxury tourism project. The plan is linked to Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Rama spoke as protests grew in Tirana against construction in protected coastal areas. Rama told The Associated Press that critics were misled about environmental risks.

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Thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside Rama’s office in recent days. The protests targeted a project that includes hotels, apartments, villas and a yacht marina. Rama said the government viewed the plan as a route into high-end tourism. Officials also linked it to Albania’s push for European Union membership.

Jared Kushner investment and Albania luxury development

Rama said the investment interest started after an unplanned stop in Albania. Rama recalled a dinner in southern Albania with Kushner, Ivanka Trump, and friends. Rama said the group had stopped in the port of Durres to refuel. Rama said Kushner later raised the idea again in Davos, Switzerland.

Rama recalled Kushner’s words: "Your countrys absolutely stunning, and we would like to look for a chance to invest,\" Rama said. Albanian authorities then granted special investor status to a firm linked to Kushner. Rama said the goal was to attract large investors to a country once ignored by capital.

Narta Lagoon environmental impact assessment and luxury development

The project has two parts, according to Rama. One is a coastal development in the Narta Lagoon area. The lagoon is a wildlife reserve. The second is a smaller resort on the nearby uninhabited island of Sazan. Sazan was a communist-era military base.

Environmental groups warned about damage to habitats used by migratory birds. Albania has about 450 kilometres of coastline that stayed largely undeveloped during communist rule. Since late May, excavators and heavy machinery have entered the planned area. They opened access routes, cleared land among pine trees, and installed fencing.

Rama said a formal environmental impact assessment had not begun. Rama said the design was still being shaped by international architects and environmental specialists. \"When it comes to the environment, there is no project yet, there is no environmental impact assessment yet, because this is still a planning process,\" he said.

Rama rejected calls to withdraw support for the plan. Asked if Rama might step back from the project, Rama refused. Rama added, \"Step back from what?\" Rama said objections were driven by misinformation. Rama argued that the project would shift Albania into a place where major investors want to invest.

Albania anti-corruption agency probe and luxury development

Albania’s anti-corruption agency has opened an investigation linked to the project. The government said the land was privately owned. However, competing claims have surfaced over how the land was privatised. Rama also acknowledged that land clearing began inside a nature reserve before any formal impact review started.

Iran cyber campaign claims and luxury development protests

Rama said some opposition may be amplified by outside interference. Rama cited what Rama called a long-running Iranian cyber campaign against Albania. Albania has accused Iran of backing hackers after Albania sheltered an Iranian opposition group. Tehran has denied those allegations.

Rama said disinformation was escalating the debate around the project. \"There is a lot of manipulation. There is a lot of half-truths that become bigger and bigger lies by the hour,\" he said. Rama said Rama was not accusing individual protesters of acting as foreign agents. The government maintained it would continue planning the development.

With inputs from PTI