TIRANA — The European Parliament has issued a resolution calling for an immediate halt to construction in protected zones related to a luxury resort project in Albania. The venture, valued at €1.4bn, is planned for the Vjosa-Narta protected wetland landscape in Zvërnec and is associated with Jared Kushner.

Tineke Strik, a Dutch Member of the European Parliament heading a fact-finding mission to Albania, stated that Albanian leadership was endangering the EU accession process. She conducted a four-day trip to areas in Albania earmarked for development.

Construction work on the Zvërnec peninsula includes the destruction of forests and ancient dunes, along with the building of a 7km-long gravel-topped road. The European Parliament resolution also demanded the withdrawal of legislation that allowed permits for strategic investors in wildlife safe zones.

Protests concerning the resort project have occurred in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana. These demonstrations took place on the 31st day of broader protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. He set a goal to complete Albania's EU accession process by December 2027.

Strik said, "If Rama is really serious about his EU ambitions, he should step back from this trajectory and say to the Trump clan: 'Sorry, the EU is my first priority.'" She added, "Right now, they're endangering a process that is so dear to them. They're playing with fire."

Strik elaborated on potential consequences, stating, "If they go ahead, they'll have a big problem with the EU during the negotiations – especially on chapter 27 where they have to meet all the benchmarks of EU environmental policies." She expressed concerns about the Albanian government's intentions after a meeting. "They cannot say now: 'We can do more damage and then we'll see at the end of next year where we stand.' That's not a way to go and we will call upon the EU commission to follow this up very strongly with the Albanian government," Strik said.

Why It Matters

The European Parliament's intervention signals that the proposed luxury resort project in the Vjosa-Narta wetland could affect Albania's bid for European Union membership. The project's location in a protected area and the associated environmental damage are central to the concerns raised by the European Parliament.

Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has set a target for EU accession by 2027, a goal supported by an estimated 92% of Albanian citizens. The European Parliament's demand for the withdrawal of legislation that permits development in wildlife safe zones suggests a potential conflict between current development practices and the environmental standards required for EU integration.