EU urges Albania to reconsider Kushner's resort project over environmental risks
Kyiv • UNN
The EU has called on Albania to comply with environmental regulations regarding the construction of Jared Kushner's resort. The project threatens the habitats of migratory birds.
The European Commission has called on Albania to immediately ensure its legislation complies with EU environmental standards amid controversy surrounding the construction of a luxury resort planned by companies linked to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
Details
The project in question is located on a remote stretch of the Albanian coast and has sparked protests from environmentalists and local residents. The campaign has been dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution," as the area is a vital stopover for migratory birds. Opponents of the development argue that it could cause irreparable damage to the natural environment.
EU Position
European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier emphasized that Albania must meet the bloc's requirements if it hopes to join the EU by 2030.
Albania must refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfillment of the closing criteria, and we expect the Albanian authorities to act immediately
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed allegations regarding the project's potential negative environmental impact. According to him, an environmental impact assessment will be conducted before work begins.
We are very proud of what we have done for Albania's wildlife. The European Commission has no reason to doubt our firm desire to protect everything that needs to be protected when it comes to wildlife and nature
The resort project is to be implemented by Affinity Partners, a company linked to Jared Kushner. At the time of publication, its representatives had not commented on the European Commission's statements or the environmental concerns.