In a message published on social media, Rama extended his greetings to members of the ruling party and expressed confidence in Albania’s European future.

“Good morning, and on this 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party, I extend my best wishes to every member of our large political family. With unwavering confidence in our historic mission of bringing Albania into the united Europe by 2030, I wish you all a wonderful day,” Rama said.

The Socialist Party is due to hold an event marking the anniversary at 5:30 p.m. in Tirana’s Italia Square.

The Socialist Party has been in government since 2013 under Rama’s leadership and has made European Union membership a central objective of its political agenda.

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Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the ruling Socialist Party at the Apollonia archaeological park in southern municipality of Fier, Rama said Albania’s growing international profile had made it the focus of various competing interests and narratives.

He said concerns surrounding the planned development in coastal area of Zvërnec were not primarily motivated by worries about the area’s flamingos but reflected broader tensions involving Albania’s development.

Rama said he was not suggesting that protesters were acting on behalf of outside forces, but argued that some participants had been influenced by misinformation, while others included politicians from new political movements.

“Those who are genuinely concerned about the environment and about Albania have legitimate concerns,” Rama said, referring to people worried about environmental protection and public ownership of national assets.

He added that some protesters mistakenly believed they enjoyed broad international support from media platforms in the United States and Europe because they were fighting for their country and the environment.

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Speaking in Shkodër, Rama rejected criticism from protesters in Tirana opposing development projects, including in the coastal area of Zvërnec, and dismissed claims that government policies were damaging the country.

“Have we destroyed Shkodër, which for years was left on the margins and is now becoming a tourism destination that grows year after year and generates more income for local businesses?” he said.

Rama made similar remarks about other cities, including Vlorë and Tirana, arguing that infrastructure and tourism development had improved connectivity to mountainous regions and boosted local economies in areas such as Malësi e Madhe, Theth, Valbona and Lurë.

He also defended the government’s so-called “Mountain Package,” a policy aimed at formalising land ownership and encouraging investment in rural and mountainous areas.

The government head said unresolved property titles, particularly in areas affected by past land reforms, were preventing residents from accessing investment, credit and EU funding.

He rejected criticism that the policy could benefit large investors at the expense of local communities, arguing instead that it was designed to enable both residents and members of the diaspora to invest in inherited land.

Rama also compared Albania’s development trajectory with neighbouring Montenegro, saying Albania should not “waste time on slogans and empty talk” and should instead focus on economic growth and tourism potential.

He accused critics of wanting to limit foreign investment and turn Albania into what he described as a “reserve for bloggers and influencers.”

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Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in the southern city of Vlora, Rama drew parallels between Albania’s development potential and the transformation of the Montenegrin town of Tivat into a leading tourism destination.

Rama said he had travelled directly from Tivat, where he reflected on how political decisions and strategic investments can alter the trajectory of an entire country.
“A single moment can change the course of a country, while wrong decisions by those in power can divert its future elsewhere,” he said.

The government head noted that Tivat, once a Yugoslav-era military base and an underdeveloped stretch of coastline, had been transformed through the development of Porto Montenegro, which now attracts around five million visitors annually.

He also referred to a previously abandoned project in Albania to develop a marina in Durres, saying the Canadian investor behind the initiative later implemented a similar project in Montenegro.

According to Rama, the redevelopment of Tivat’s waterfront has significantly increased property values, with prices rising from around 400 euros per square metre to as much as 12,000 euros in the most developed areas.

He said Montenegro, despite its small size and limited industrial base, had achieved substantial economic growth by capitalising on its tourism assets.

“Montenegro has successfully leveraged its natural beauty and tourism potential, becoming one of the countries with the highest wages in the region,” Rama said.

Rama argued that Albania possesses even greater natural advantages, citing its two seas, nine rivers and numerous lakes, and described tourism as one of the country’s main engines of economic development.

He added that studies show every euro spent in a hotel or luxury resort generates an additional 1.6 to 2 euros in the wider economy through related services and business activity.

“I can say that once this investment is realised, it will become a major blessing not only for Vlora or the Vlora region, but for the whole of Albania,” Rama said, referring to the proposed Zvërnec project.

“The development of high-end tourism, five-star hotels and marinas is what brings genuine economic transformation,” he added.

Rama concluded by saying that countries do not remain underdeveloped because of a lack of material resources, but because of a lack of vision and ambition, arguing that progress depends on investment and large-scale strategic projects.

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Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of SP’s founding in Tirana, Rama said the party had made mistakes over time but had never acted against the national interest.

“From day one until today, this party has made many mistakes, but it has done no harm to this country. It has never wavered from the line of defending the national interest,” Rama said.

He said SP has a long record of contributions to national causes, including support for Kosovo during periods of conflict.

Rama said the role of Albanians in the region had been strengthened through support from Tirana, adding that the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) had been backed “not only in words but also in deeds.”

He also accused political opponents of holding contradictory positions on Kosovo in the past.

Rama said Albania’s EU accession process represented the “jewel in the crown” of the party’s achievements, adding that membership in the bloc was a national objective.

“The biggest jewel of this history is the mission to place Albania in the crown of Europe,” he said. “That will be achieved by the Socialist Party and will give it the respect of history.”

He urged citizens to support the country’s EU integration, saying it was now a realistic goal.

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Rama said the date of May 26 carried particular significance in the party’s history, linking this year’s political developments with the disputed parliamentary elections of May 26, 1996.

He described the 1996 vote as a period when Socialists “faced violence and brutality that exposed Albania to the real challenge of building democracy after the fall of communism.”

Rama said SP representatives, local officials and election commissioners were subjected to violence during the elections, while the results themselves were “stolen by the degraded power of the Democratic Party.”

“It is difficult to imagine an Albania where the opposition was systematically mistreated, where there was only one television screen – Albanian state television – and where the opposition appeared only when accompanied by negative commentary,” he added.

Rama also said Albania at the time had only one opposition newspaper, which he said was destroyed by what he described as a “brutal regime”.

Turning to current developments, Rama said the ruling Socialists have helped bring Albania closer to what he described as the country’s historic goal of joining the European Union.

Referring to the latest Albania-EU intergovernmental conference in Brussels two days ago, May 26, Rama stated that “the Socialist Party has raised Albania one more step higher on its journey toward the summit,” which, in his view, represents both the legacy handed down by the ancestors and a debt owed to the children of Albanians.

“That summit is the home of a united Europe, where we will place Albania’s red-and-black flag,” he said.

Rama said the Socialist Party was the only political force in the past 35 years capable of maintaining “a proper relationship with the national interest, the past and the world”.

He also said Albania had entered a new phase in the EU accession process after opening all negotiation chapters and moving toward closing them.

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Speaking at an event in the coastal city of Durres marking the 35th anniversary of the ruling SP, Rama praised the party’s evolution over the years and linked its development to Albania’s broader transformation.

He described the anniversary as an opportunity not only to commemorate a historic milestone, but also to reflect on the contribution of those who, in his words, gave the party “whatever they could, whenever they could and wherever they could.”

Speaking about European integration, Rama said Albania’s progress toward the European Union was directly linked to the work and commitment of the Socialist Party.

“If Albania today is closer than ever to the European Union, there is one major reason above all others – the strength, dedication and work of the Socialist Party,” he said.

Rama said the event in Durres marked the beginning of a broader series of meetings planned to commemorate the party’s 35th anniversary.

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Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 34th anniversary event, Rama thanked party members and everyone else contributing to this big political family emphasizing the responsibility that comes with the historic victory and increased public support.

The Socialist leader highlighted the government’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsibility, stressing that the EU integration goal is both achievable and challenging, depending on reforms and fulfillment of requirements.

Rama said that the ruling Socialists never fear, nor shun responsibilities that come with wining the elections.

Rama voiced confidence in the new Socialist parliamentary team of 83 lawmakers, noting their mix of experience and new talent, which will be crucial as Parliament takes a leading role in the EU accession process.

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