Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in a report by British broadcaster Channel 4 News on the planned investment in Zvërnec, stating that it is absurd to believe Albania could move forward with a project that does not comply with European standards.

Rama said the investment is not intended to destroy Zvërnec but to regenerate it, stressing that internationally recognised architects and landscape designers with experience in wetland areas have been involved in the project.

“Top-level architects and landscape designers renowned for their work in wetland areas have been engaged. At the same time, we are independently carrying out the environmental impact assessment. The project is not intended to destroy that beautiful place. It is intended to regenerate it,” Rama said.

Addressing concerns raised by the European Commission over environmental standards, the Prime Minister said it is natural for European institutions to exercise caution, while noting that Albania is currently negotiating its accession to the European Union.

“It is very good that the Commission is concerned. It could not be otherwise. And, by the way, we are negotiating to become a member of the European Union. Therefore, the very idea that we could move forward with this project, or with any project that does not comply with European standards, is absurd,” he said.

Journalist: Have you reconsidered any of your policies regarding the projects in Sazan and Zvërnec, where this all began, because of the risks posed to flamingo habitats and other ecosystems in the area?

Edi Rama: No. No project has started.

Journalist: I have seen it.

Edi Rama: No.

Journalist: Then what did I see? Shouldn’t I trust my own eyes?

Edi Rama: I will explain what you saw, but no project has started. And regarding Sazan, which you included in your question, there is neither a project nor an agreement there. Bringing Sazan into this discussion is completely unnecessary because there is still nothing there.

Journalist: But Mr Kushner and Ms Trump linked the two projects, didn’t they? They said the projects are connected.

Edi Rama: Yes, the idea is connected.

Journalist: Then explain it to me, because I went to Zvërnec and saw the site where the project had begun and was later stopped.

Edi Rama: No. The project has not started in Zvërnec.

Journalist: Then what did I see with the fences and everything else?

Edi Rama: I’ll explain. It was not the beginning of the project. Those were only preparations for preliminary works before a permit is granted, based on environmental, geological and hydrological assessments.

Journalist: But normally the environmental assessment is carried out before bulldozers move in, because they can damage the environment. Usually, scientists are sent in first to conduct the assessment.

Edi Rama: The bulldozers were used to open access for people, for the local community, to create roads through private property so people would not be prevented from moving around.

Journalist: But people were already using the sandy road. They were only blocked after the fence was put up.

Edi Rama: Again, if you want the facts, I am giving you the facts.

Journalist: Mr Kushner said you were on the yacht with them when they discovered the island in 2020.

Edi Rama: I was invited to join a group of people on a yacht that had stopped in Albania to refuel on its way to Montenegro. It was Nat Rothschild’s yacht. I accepted the invitation and went. That is where I met Jared and Ivanka. I don’t know whether they had heard of Albania before, but I can tell you with certainty that they had no direct interest in Albania at the time. They were very interested in the history and in the place where they were.

A few months later, I met Jared in Davos. He told me he was interested in exploring investment opportunities. Of course, I said yes. How could I possibly say no? To me, it was the most natural thing to do. This will be one of the most extraordinary developments Europe has seen in a long time. There have not been many extraordinary developments in Europe in recent years.

Journalist: Why is it so extraordinary?

Edi Rama: Because it will not be what people mistakenly imagine it to be. Just as you are imagining it, mistakenly.

Journalist: I’m not imagining it. I’ve seen what Jared Kushner posted on Instagram and some of the other plans. I understand those are not the final plans.

Edi Rama: What was published on Instagram was only a preliminary presentation. The project has evolved, and so has the process. Now, world-renowned architects and landscape designers with extensive experience in wetland areas have been involved. At the same time, we are independently conducting the environmental impact assessment. The project is not intended to destroy a beautiful place. It is intended to regenerate it.

Journalist: It seems these accusations have hurt you personally.

Edi Rama: No, no. I’m not hurt.

Journalist: Still, it seems you take them very personally. That’s interesting.

Edi Rama: I’m not hurt.

Journalist: Because it seems you take them very personally.

Edi Rama: Listen, everything is personal. Anyone who does their job with passion experiences it personally. But I’m not hurt. If anything, it has helped me.