“You can say no to a 4 billion-euro investment”, Rama: I have nothing to do with those who protest, transparency is completely visible.

Full interview for ZDF:

ZDFheute: Mr. Prime Minister, we want to better understand the structure and plans of investors planning a holiday resort in Zvrinec, near the lagoon. So far it is not fully clear who investors are and what is the role of the state. Can you explain?

Rama: I don't know what information you have, but there are some simple answers. First, the property is private. Second, private properties in Albania are developed on the basis of agreements between owners and potential investors. Third, there is still no final plan, because the process is being closely followed by our institutions, to ensure that the project will respect the rules and standards that are important to us. I don't know what you found out.

ZDFheute: As for the role of the state, we have found that certain laws that have facilitated conservation restrictions have been changed. The protected area has been reduced to enable the construction of an airport and construction has been allowed in an area previously protected. Critics say the state has thus facilitated investment and, as a result, has a direct role.

Rama: No change has been made to open the possibility of construction in protected areas where construction is not allowed. The protected areas in Albania have special status. Their protection is based on European Union categories and on the principle of better practices. This means that not all areas have the same level of protection against intervention and development; there are different categories.

ZDFheute: However, it was in the center of the protected area that worked several weeks ago. You say that so far there are only plans and no building permits. We were in the center of the lagoon and we saw the work.

Rama: There's no building permits for that area. On the other hand, under Albanian law, private property can be surrounded. A temporary permit for preparation works, including environmental impact recognition, can also be given.

ZDFheute: But how can the work begin, as you say, when property rights have not yet been clarified? As you know, Albania's Supreme Court has abolished property gains in at least two cases and has turned cases into lower courts.

Rama: Anyone may have claims, but for a claim to receive legal value must be confirmed by the court. Until then, a claim is not enough to stop everything until the court decides otherwise, because state institutions operate on the basis of documents, not claims. While a title of ownership is not yours, you cannot ask that property not be developed just because you claim it should belong to you.

ZDFheute: Aren't you, as prime minister, responsible for political transparency?

Rama: Transparency is completely visible. It's very easy to see, but if you don't want to see it, it certainly becomes invisible. As prime minister of this country, I don't tell you stories. There are others who tell stories.

My version is this: There are various property titles. There is an agreement between owners and investors. This process has begun.

There are demands by Albanian authorities for upholding the rules and for assessing environmental impact. This story is based on fact. The rest is based on interpretation.

ZDFheute: Does that mean you continue to support the project?

Rama: We cannot simply say no to an investment worth over four billion euros. And if the final result is not satisfactory, then we will not continue with it.

ZDFheute: Meanwhile, this issue has also taken on political dimensions. Every day Albanians protest the lagoon project against lack of transparency and corruption. They call the move “Flagingo Revolution”. How do you view these protests?

Rama: I have nothing against people who protest. I object to those who think they have the right to lecture others.

They protest because they have the right to do so and because they have their concerns. They have the right to express their opinion, protest, criticize, and even oppose me.

As you can see, Switzerland is no longer the center of the protests. This subject has been out of the agenda for weeks. The flamingos are left as a symbol, because they are a strong symbol, but people have many other reasons for getting out on the street. And I understand. I'm not talking about them.

The protest movement consists of two parts. On the one hand, it's ordinary citizens. I have a lot of respect for them, and I try to understand their concerns. On the other hand, there are organisers, those who run and control these protests. That's what I'm referring to when I'm talking about “guidelines”. They're two totally different things. /Periscope/