Albanian PM says fate of Kushner-linked luxury project will be decided by 'science', not 'ideology'

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stated on Tuesday that the fate of a proposed luxury resort, linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, will be decided through an environmental impact assessment, rather than by street protests and ideology. The project, located in Zvërnec, a protected area in southwestern Albania, aims to boost the country's high-end tourism market as it pursues EU membership.

Rama defended the investment during the Euronews Travel and Tourism Summit 2026 in Brussels, emphasizing that the project would significantly improve Albania's quality of life, leading to higher salaries and better services for its citizens. Demonstrators in Tirana have repeatedly protested the project, even calling for Rama's resignation.

Albania, currently a frontrunner for EU membership, had assured the European Commission in June that the project would comply with EU environmental standards, a requirement for its accession to the bloc.

Rama painted a picture of Albania as a nation transitioning from "North Korea of Europe" to the "shining little jewel" of the continent, welcoming nearly 12 million foreign visitors this year. However, he acknowledged that the influx of middle- and low-income tourists had put stress on the country's infrastructure, nature, and services. To counter this, Rama argued that Albania should attract high-income tourists, as they would exert less strain on the nation's resources.

In order to achieve this, Rama stated that Albania's new focus would be on investing in projects that attract high-end investors, partnerships, and local companies.