Albanian PM defends Zvërnec tourism project amid EU scrutiny

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama said that the planned tourism project in Zvërnec remains in progress and will be implemented in accordance with all legal requirements and European standards.

Speaking alongside Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos after the 9th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference, Rama was asked about Jared Kushner’s proposed investment in Albania and the European Union’s position on the project, CE Report quotes ATA.

He stressed that, for Albania, the European Commission’s assessment is the one that carries the greatest weight, underscoring that the institution bases its conclusions on verified facts and evidence.

“All voices in Brussels deserve our respect, but there is one voice we take particularly seriously, and that is the voice of the Commission. So far, I can tell you that the Commission has remained fully informed and has based its position on facts,” Rama said.

According to Rama, at a time when public discourse is often shaped by competing claims and conflicting narratives, the European Commission remains an institution that operates on the basis of verified information and evidence.

“That is why I am confident that if you were interested in the facts, the data and verified sources, you would understand that there is nothing to be concerned about,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister said the project is still under development and has not yet been finalised.

“The project is still a work in progress. It cannot be seen anywhere yet because it has not been finalised. The environmental impact assessment is currently underway. Everything has been carried out in accordance with the rules from day one,” he said.

Rama said the individuals associated with a project should not influence its assessment, stressing that compliance with established standards remains the only relevant criterion.

“Mentioning names does not help us get to the truth. When I say everything is being done according to the rules, there is only one rulebook that matters to us – the rulebook governing EU accession standards and the rulebook of the European Commission,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that any development in Albania must be fully aligned with European Union principles and standards.

“The suggestion that Albania would move forward with something that is not fully in line with what I would call the sacred rulebook for both believers and non-believers in this country—the EU’s standards and principles—is simply unfounded. There is absolutely nothing to worry about,” Rama said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the ambition is for the project to become an added value for Albania and Europe.

“We will deliver a project that will be a source of pride for Albania and for Europe. That is my ambition. Albania must make it a reality for itself and for Europe, and throughout the process we will remain, as we have been so far, extremely rigorous, demanding nothing less than the highest standards,” Rama concluded.

Photo: Facebook/ediramaal