Rama answered questions from journalists during a joint press conference with the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne, following the 10th Albania-European Union Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg.

When asked by a journalist from the British “The Independent” newspaper about developments in Albania regarding Jared Kushner’s investment, Rama remarked that viewing Albania from the outside—through the filters of online media—can lead to misunderstandings.

“I would invite you to come to Albania because when you view the country from the outside, you can easily misunderstand or get confused. And viewing the country through the lens of modern online media will only leave you bewildered and without a clear picture,” Rama said.

The prime minister emphasized that the project involves much more than just a single name. “It is a project for which we have great ambition, and one we wish to realize as a model for how to invest and develop in today’s world in harmony with nature,” said Rama.

The prime minister also emphasized that the events broadcasted worldwide have helped improve the initiative and drive progress toward results that will prove convincing to far more people than initially anticipated.

“However, it remains something that must be proven and grounded in facts; therefore, we await the moment when we can demonstrate the full scope of the work currently underway,” he stated.

/r.e/p.s./

The protesters marched once again toward the government building, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and forming a technical government.

In his remarks, a former participant of the 2018 student protests reiterated demands for quality public education and a stronger student voice in university decision-making.

Meanwhile, activist Edison Lika affirmed that the protesters would persist in their stand until their demands for political change and bringing down of the government are met.

Launched on May 31 against the Zvërnec investment, the civic protest has gradually expanded its demands, from reversing legal changes to protected areas to canceling the Mountain Package.

/p.s./

As on previous occasions, citizens gathered at Skanderbeg square before marching down ‘Martyrs of Nation’ boulevard.

Carrying placards and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the protesters continued to voice their demands for the removal of the so-called old political “caste.”

In the square in front of the government building, the civil society activists reiterated their opposition to the tourism investment in Zvërnec area, as well as to policies regarding the protected areas and strategic investments.

Activist Arben Kola called on SPAK and the BKH to take action and arrest corrupt politicians.

“Marking 133 days of national awareness, we call upon the American Ambassador to recognize the deep bond between the Albanian and American peoples. Albania seeks strategic partnership and support to liberate itself from the grip of the narco-state and the illicit arms trade,” he said.

Speaking from the podium in front of the government, one of the protesters stated that no decision emerging from the Parliament—which he branded an “Assembly of crime”—should be recognized.

The protester emphasized that the dissolved municipalities should continue their work and disregard the decisions of a “sold-out” Parliament.

The protest, which began on May 31 in opposition to an investment project in the Zvërnec area, has expanded over the following weeks to include political and institutional demands. /p.s./

Following are the full remarks by Kushner on Development in Albania:

Claim

[Kushner] had been awarded development rights without public notice or competitive bidding, and that the amendment to unlock protected land had been rushed through parliament. Rama even allowed an airport to be built inside the preserve.

Reality

The land was not awarded to us by the Albanian government. Our partnership purchased it from a private party for €230 million in a private transaction, among the highest prices paid in the region for a transaction of this scale. Title was reviewed by counsel and verified.

This project began as a straightforward private real-estate investment based on our belief in Albania’s potential as a rising destination and the opportunity to create something truly special there.

We are investing substantial private capital, betting on a country that has never had a project of this scale. There are no guarantees. We are taking that risk because we believe in Albania and we believe in Albanians. If successful, the project could represent approximately €4 billion of investment and create significant jobs, economic activity and international visibility for Albania.

Since acquiring the land, we have spent more than three years and tens of millions of dollars studying the site, its environment and the opportunities and needs of the region, while assembling exceptional architects, designers, engineers, environmental experts and partners to shape the project responsibly. The goal has never been simply to develop the land, but to create something that can become a platform for opportunity and long-term growth for Albania.

Asher Abehsera, a longtime friend and business partner with a track record of successful development, joined as a partner and CEO of the project and has led the day-to-day work for the past four years.

The Kastrati family, a reputable Albanian business family with deep roots and great pride in their country, originally brought us the land opportunity and shares our belief in Albania’s potential.

I first met Ramez and Moutaz Alkhayyat in Doha during the 2022 World Cup and was impressed by their story and capabilities. They had fled Syria as refugees under the brutal Assad regime, with many of their properties and holdings later confiscated by the government and were given the opportunity to rebuild their lives and businesses in Qatar. Their arrival coincided with Qatar’s enormous construction needs ahead of the World Cup, and they became deeply involved in Doha’s transformative build-out.

That is an important distinction: this is an investment, not something we were given. We purchased the land for €230 million, are committing substantial additional private capital and bear the risk of whether the project succeeds. If it does, Albania will benefit through jobs, tourism, economic opportunity and long-term growth.

My own focus has principally been on the vision and design, bringing together exceptional architects, partners, designers and creators to create a destination unlike anything else in the region. I am a minority partner and do not have day-to-day involvement in the project.

The partnership has engaged extensively with the local community in Vlore. We also understand that people have legitimate questions and concerns. The project will have to go through all relevant Albanian regulatory and environmental processes and earn the approvals necessary to proceed.

Our ambition is to build to the highest design and environmental standards and leave this extraordinary part of Albania greener, more biodiverse and environmentally stronger.

The suggestion that this project advanced to curry favor with President Trump also gets the chronology backwards. As the article itself notes, our interest began in the summer of 2021, when I was a private citizen and long before President Trump announced his 2024 campaign.

The same is true of the airport. The article implies, but doesn’t quite say, that government officials approved the airport at my behest. In fact, the airport was already approved by the time I first saw the project and was one of the factors that attracted me and informed my vision for what the region could become.

Ultimately, Albania will decide whether the project proceeds. If approved, I hope we can create something Albanians are proud of and that families from Albania and around the world will enjoy for generations.

Protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg square and further on they marched toward the Prime Minister’s Office. There were heard calls against the government, while the organizers reiterated their demands.

Speaking in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, Activist Sidorela Vatnikaj stated that government propaganda has been used to deflate the protest.

“When we started this fight, we didn’t expect to face a regime and a Parliament that have completely lost touch with the people. Today, Parliament acts as the ultimate mouthpiece for organized crime. The government has used its propaganda machine to suppress the protests, labeling us as agents and smearing our names. But our 130 days in the square show that our resolve is stronger than our fear. We are more powerful than organized crime,” she said.

Activist Arben Kola stated that everyone should be present in front of the Parliament tomorrow morning. “As you are aware, the big showdown in the Parliament takes place tomorrow. Tomorrow, Albanians must say a firm ‘no.’ We must not allow this law to pass. If it does, it will be the penultimate step toward the undoing of Albania,” he said.

Launched on May 31 in opposition to the investment in Zvërnec, the civic protest has expanded its scope of demands over the past few months, ranging from the reversal of legal amendments concerning protected areas to the cancellation of the “Mountain Package.” /m.q/j.p/r.e/p.s./

Holding placards, protesters demonstrated against the Rama government, accusing it of “selling off” Albania through controversial tourism projects. What began on May 31 as a targeted protest against the Zvërnec investment has since expanded. The civic movement now demands the reversal of legal amendments to protected areas and the cancellation of the “Mountain Package.”

Speaking from an improvised podium outside the government building, activist Sidorela Vatnikaj stated: “We are here again tonight to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his entire cabinet. Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Brussels to tell European institutions the truth about Albania. This protest reflects the fact that Albanians have learned that freedom and dignity are won by fighting the corrupt 36-year-old system. We are here, and we will remain here alongside outraged citizens because Albania and the Albanian people demand a revolution,” said Vatnikaj. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

Starting in Skanderbeg Square, the crowd marched toward the government building to protest policies on protected areas and the law on strategic investments.

Carrying banners and chanting slogans, participants demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the removal of the established political class.

Activists urged the public to keep mobilizing. Ongoing since May 31, the movement’s demands include repealing legal changes to protected areas, scrapping the “Mountain Package,” and ousting current political leaders.

/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Speaking to the media following a meeting with two delegations from the German Bundestag, Balla said that during the discussions there was highlighted the significance of this investment and the guarantees surrounding its implementation, emphasizing that these key investments in Albania are strategic and need strong protection.

According to Balla, the first phase of the Zvërnec investment exceeds 4 billion euros, and the project is valued for its impact on the development of tourism and the Albanian economy.

“Regarding the Zvërnec investment—not only due to the financial value of the first phase, which exceeds 4 billion euros, but also the project’s significance for tourism—for a country with a Gross Domestic Product of 27 billion euros, saying no to a 4-billion-euro investment is out of the question,” Balla said.

He emphasized that the investment would proceed, while the government and the Albanian relevant agencies involved in the process would ensure adherence to environmental protection standards. “The Albanian government and the Albanian agencies involved in this process will ensure that all environmental protection guidelines are respected,” stated Balla, referring also to the provisions of Chapter 27 of the European Union acquis, which concerns the environment and climate change.

Balla also clarified that the first phase involves land acquisition, while the subsequent phases of the project are expected to follow. /p.s./

The protesters expressed their opposition to the tourism project in Zvërnec area, as well as to policies regarding protected areas and strategic investments.

An elderly man spoke to reporters from Skanderbeg square, sharing his story and the frustrations he has dealt with using the local healthcare sector.

Meanwhile, activist Edison Lika, speaking in front of the government building, addressed the incident of eggs being thrown at Prime Minister Edi Rama during his visit to New York.

Lika said that Albanians in the US greeted Rama with protests and eggs, conveying the message that—in their view—he no longer represents the Albanian people.

During today’s protest, there were also conveyed messages through placards held by the demonstrators; these called for the resignation of PM Rama and expressed opposition to the government. The protest that began on May 31st has put forward a series of demands, ranging from the reversal of legislative amendments to the Law on Protected Areas and the cancellation of the “Mountains Pact” to political demands for the ousting of the country’s political class.

/e.i/r.e/a.f/p.s./

The protesters oppose not only the tourism project in the Zvërnec area, but also the policies regarding protected areas and strategic investments.

They also carried placards and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The protesters reiterated their demands for the removal of the so-called “old political caste.”

Speaking from the protest podium, activist Sidorela Vatnikaj condemned the detention and arrest of activists during today’s morning protest outside the Parliament, describing these actions as illegal.

“Dozens of protesters have been unlawfully detained simply for protesting in front of the Parliament—an institution we say represents the interests of organized crime rather than our own. Today, they were arrested violently and illegally. This is happening in a state where police chiefs are appointed by Ergys Agasi, and where the head of SHISH—instead of providing the police with information to facilitate arrests—has provided information that allowed individuals to evade justice. Ergys Agasi moves about freely, while protesters are subjected to violent arrests,” she said.

The activists called for continued civic mobilization.

The protest, which began on May 31st in opposition to an investment project in the Zvërnec area, has expanded over the following weeks to include political and institutional demands. /p.s./