Rama defends investment in Zvrinec, as SPAK launches investigations

Meanwhile, the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Unit (SPAK) confirmed that it has launched an investigation into Zrvenec, but without specifying what is precisely being investigated.

Asked whether there is an investigation and what it involves, the SPAK media official, Ada Removal, said: “In response to your question, the issue is under investigation and we have no other information to share”.

The area where work on the construction of a resort is part of a protected landscape of national and international importance. It is considered among the most important habitats in Albania for water birds and migrainers, including flamingos.

Works are related to earlier announced plans by Jared Kouchner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, who in March 2024 declared that he intends to build hotels and hundreds of villas in the Gervenec area.

Albania's Prime Minister Rama said the project has started as investors' interest in 2023.

“has been an interest along with Saban. Our position has been that Sanzani is public land and we are willing to work with you, but that land is not sold, the Albanian state will be a party, partner. We have made it clear to them that they have to be resolved with their owners. This is the start”, Rama said during the meeting of the Social Party Parliamentary Group, which he leads.

He added that everyone knows who the parties are interested in the project.

The whole world is talking about this project because of the man who promoted it, Jared Kouchner, but the world has scores to wash and its wars to do, so the project has also had the interest of American and European media, but with agendas, not to inform Albania of development but to find out about it in straw. So investors have engaged global excellence, in architecture, engineering, environment, judicial aspect, etc.”, Rama said.

According to him, the Albanian government has defended the country's interest, stressing that an old project has been rejected by authorities because “demanded high standards”.

Attacking the project, Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama named it political. He said he has endured any attack because of the vision he has for Albania and that, according to him, without this vision, he does not need the chair of power.

He said that the 4 billion-euro Zvenec project is one of the investments intended to place Albania in “champion” of tourism, hence and against it “there are attacks”.

According to him, citizens' numerous reactions to the project are due to <x0manipulations and untruths” about investment.

Rama said five world-renowned architectural studios have been engaged by investors for the project, and also the best environmental engineers.

You've seen investors and that lady... [Ivanka Trump] hasn't come on vacation, but made half a day's hearing with history professors, geodezia, here in Albania who talked about all aspects, and there's a large group of people who've heard in notes”, Rama said, referring to American President Donald Trump's daughter, who stayed in Albania in January this year.

According to Rama, in March of this year “another project, reconsidered, with another projective and developmental approach, adding that the National Territorial Council, which is headed by Albanian Prime Minister “has not adopted it as it has submitted, but has set the” conditions.

The project will only be developed on the private property registered on land-states, the lagoon is not affected, and development cannot include navy, as it was in the two versions presented and removed. For the navy, a project in consultation with experts has been asked to take place later, and after the project is seen as a whole. American investors told me they'd do everything under law”, Rama said.

He said there would be a generation of defenders to preserve the natural landscape, quality of habitat and preserve the area's ecological processes.

Following the May 30th protest in Zvrinec, Greece has reacted by demanding dawning the event, as a protester remained injured. The protester holds Albanian and Greek citizenship.

Rama responded to Athens' claims, stressing that the act of violence was by a group of private guards not by the state, as he said happened with Albanians in Greece.

Bringing the security company, but even Vlora police “was disgusting”, Rama said. He praised the actions taken by Albania's authorities in this case.