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Rama vows to Reuters that he will continue the luxury resort project despite protests: They voted me to do these things
2026-06-08 23:53:47 / POLITIKË
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated in an interview with Reuters that despite the ongoing protests, Albania will continue with the plan to build the luxury resort supported by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, in Zvërnec.
Despite thousands of citizens protesting in Tirana and other areas for days demanding the cancellation of the project, Rama has expressed his determination that he will not cancel it.
The head of government has even stated that the project developers will "stun" public opinion with the project in the coming months and that parts of the resort could open to the public before the end of the decade.
“I’m telling you, it will be a beautiful project and we will do it, and we will be proud to contribute to Europe,” Rama said during the interview in his office, a few meters from the area where nightly protests against the project are taking place.
"I was voted in to make these things a reality. I was not voted in to be led by people who have a different idea for the development of the country," he added.
This Monday evening, thousands of citizens gathered again on the streets of Tirana, demanding a halt to the project, but also expressing broader dissatisfaction with Rama's 13-year government, which they accuse of failing to combat corruption and failing to improve basic services.
"We are becoming more and more and we will be here until he resigns. Not just for biodiversity, but for every injustice we face, " said student Albano Lushi.
"BIG DREAMS IN THE FACE OF CONTESTS"
Rama, 61, a former basketball player and artist, who took office in 2013 and aims to integrate Albania into the EU, presents himself as the man who has led the modernization of a country that has emerged from decades of isolation under communist dictatorship, writes Reuters.
He cultivates a casual style, often dressed in a loose black suit, black T-shirt and white sneakers. His office resembles an urban co-working space, with walls covered in his colorful paintings. Pencils and markers are on the desk, and the environment is filled with sketches and notes.
The resort project is the brainchild of Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, who have stated that they fell in love with Albania during a yachting visit a few years ago. Rama said that he met them during that visit and considered them “very good, simple and humane people.”
Today, Kushner’s investment company, Affinity Partners, is involved in a project worth about 1.4 billion euros ($1.6 billion) near the Vjosa-Nartë protected area, as well as another project on the island of Sazan. Together, these investments amount to 5 billion euros, according to Rama.
"It's a big dream, and big dreams have always met with opposition," he said.
Affinity Partners and Kushner did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, which is developing the projects, said it would carry them out responsibly.
PROTESTS AND PROMISES TO PROTECT NATURE
The protests began in late May, when the area near Vjosa–Nartë was surrounded by barbed wire as part of work on an access road and preliminary preparations. During clashes with private security guards, several protesters were injured. The discontent then spread to Tirana. The fence was later lifted. Rama described its installation as a “shameful idea.”
However, he downplayed environmental concerns, saying that the environmental impact assessment has not yet been completed and will be carried out in parallel with the project's developments.
"We are very proud of what we have done for fauna in Albania. The European Commission has no reason to doubt our strong will to protect everything that needs to be protected when it comes to wildlife and nature," Rama said./REUTERS
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