In a post on social media, Rama shared comments by Edmond Guri, head of the Albanian diaspora association in Greece, who said he had never seen such a level of mobilisation in Greek media during his 35 years in the country over an event related to Albania.

Rama argued that Albania was seeking to climb to the “Olympus of tourism with a landmark project involving U.S. and Qatari investors.”

“Now that the project is nearing the stage of becoming public, the eagles (Albanians) have emerged to protect the homeland from a 4-billion-euro investment by American and Qatari partners,” Rama said.

He said that, “for the first time in 35 years”, Greek media outlets and social media pages with large followings had joined forces with the project’s critics to “save” Albania from the arrival of some of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands.

Rama said the development would create 10,000 jobs, boost Albania’s gross domestic product by 4% by 2030, raise incomes and property values, and generate wider benefits for sectors including agriculture, fisheries and transport.

In a sarcastic remark directed at the project’s opponents, Rama said they should continue protesting because “Greek media coverage is guaranteed”, adding that they were achieving “two birds with one stone.”

/m.m/j.p/u.sh/