Recently, large-scale protests erupted in Albania. The public demanded the cancellation of a resort project related to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, fearing that the project would threaten wildlife reserves. The European Commission also issued a warning to the Albanian government, stating that the resort project could affect the country's accession to the EU.
However, the EU's stance caused dissatisfaction among the Albanian government. According to the European edition of Politico News Network on June 7, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama criticized during the EU-Western Balkans summit that if it weren’t for the resort project involving Kushner, the EU would have had no interest in what was happening in Albania. He insisted that the project would not pose a threat to wildlife.
In 2024, Kushner announced that his private equity firm Affinity Partners planned to develop luxury resorts along the coast near Zvejneț in Sazan Island and Vlorë, Albania. The project is located within the Vijos-Nartta protected area, which is a habitat for flamingos, more than 200 species of migratory birds, Mediterranean monk seals, and sea turtles.
In the same year, the Albanian government revised its laws regarding nature reserves, paving the way for the development of tourism projects in some of these reserves. This measure has sparked controversy within Albania.
In late May this year, the developer used wire fences to enclose part of the construction site, which led to demonstrations and clashes between protesters and private security personnel. Reports indicate that several protesters were arrested, and one security officer was imprisoned for suspected assault and illegal detention of protesters, further escalating the controversy.
Since early June, protests have grown in scale across Albania. Protest rallies have taken place in major cities such as Tirana, and people have called for the Albanian government to cancel Kushner's resort project. Calls for Ramas' resignation are increasing. On social media, some protesters have referred to this movement as the “ Flamingo Revolution”.
On June 5th, local time, in Tirana, Albania, citizens held a protest in front of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Since Albania is seeking to join the EU, the European Commission has also issued a statement on this matter. A spokesperson for the European Commission warned: "Albania should avoid actions that could undermine its accession targets. We expect the Albanian government to take immediate action."
This spokesperson urged Albania to revoke the changes to the conservation law and abolish the Strategic Investment Law. Speaking to Politico News, the spokesperson said, “In the process of joining the EU, as one of the indicators for the 27th chapter of the EU accession negotiations, Albania needs to align its laws in the areas of environment and climate change with those of the EU, including the Birds and Habitats directives.”
A spokesperson for the European Commission said that Albanian Environment Minister Sofiyan Joepai has informed Brussels that the construction of the resort project has been suspended. The Albanian government will work with civil society groups to conduct an environmental impact assessment. The EU has expressed concerns about potential flaws in the project.
The EU has always demanded that Albania repeal its strategic investment law passed in 2015. This law grants certain projects 'green lanes', which could allow them to circumvent EU environmental protection laws.
A spokesperson for Jopai stated that Jopai informed the European Commission that since the final plan for the resort project has not been submitted, and no construction permits have been obtained, construction work has not yet begun. The spokesperson emphasized that the Albanian government will conduct a “comprehensive and responsible environmental impact assessment” of the project under “complete transparency and consultation with the public.”
However, the EU’s attitude caused dissatisfaction among Ramam. On June 5th local time, during the EU-West Balkans summit in Montenegro, Ramam criticized that “if it weren’t about Kushner, the EU wouldn’t have cared about what happened in Albania.” He stated that “people who oppose Trump” played a role in fueling the protests and expanding them.
Ramamurthy said that he had not contacted Kuschna since the protest began. “He has his own things to do, and neither Ivanka nor he has anything to do with this matter at all.” Ramamurthy emphasized that other investors were also involved in the resort project, including Qatar Electricity Holding Company.
When asked whether the resort project would hinder Albania’s EU accession process, Ramamain responded that he did not believe environmental issues would affect accession. European leaders will “see for themselves how flamingos coexist harmoniously with development.” He insisted that developing the resort would not pose a threat to flamingos and other wildlife.
On June 5th local time, Albanian Prime Minister Ramah attended the EU-Western Balkans Summit.
However, Politician News Network noted that the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime in Albania has taken over the case, investigating the changes made by the Albanian government regarding the status of protected areas and land ownership in 2024.
Albania applied to join the EU in 2009, became a EU candidate country in 2014, and officially launched negotiations for membership in 2022. According to EU standards, Albania must align its environmental laws with those of the EU. The Albanian government stated that it is committed to fulfilling these obligations, with the goal of joining the EU by 2030.
