TIRANA, June 9 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Tuesday dismissed suggestions that a planned development project in Zvërnec was linked to political support from the White House or U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a press conference with journalists from European Union member states, Rama said public attention surrounding the project stemmed largely from Trump’s involvement through members of his family.
“I do not believe Albania’s flamingos would have generated such a stir if this were not seen as an opportunity to pursue a story connected to Donald Trump,” Rama said. “But this is not about Donald Trump.”
Rama said that “when Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump first visited Albania, it was uncertain whether Trump would end up in prison or would return to the White House.”
“For me, they were American investors asking whether they could have an opportunity in Albania, not members of Donald Trump’s family,” he said.
The Prime Minister said his government’s priority is to ensure that all investment projects were assessed on the basis of facts, transparency and their impact.
“I am the Prime Minister of Albania and I want everyone to come and invest here and to be friends of this country,” Rama said. “I do not believe Albania should become a battleground for political disputes in the United States or elsewhere.”
He said the project’s merits would ultimately be judged by its results.
“If the project delivers, it will move forward. If it does not deliver the right outcomes, it should be improved,” Rama said, adding that the development was expected to increase protected natural areas, greenery and environmental regeneration by 25%.
Rama also highlighted the involvement of internationally renowned architects in the project.
“Today, Albania is a country where some of the world’s leading architects are working on major projects,” he said.
The government head said Albania was seeking transformative investments capable of changing not only perceptions of the country but also its long-term development trajectory.
“We want beauty, we want quality, and we want projects that change this country once and for all,” Rama said. “For too long, perceptions of Albania have been shaped by stories about crime, corruption and drugs.”
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