EU Warns Albania Over Kushner Project Amid Political Tensions and Environmental Protests

Brussels is closely monitoring political developments in Albania, signaling caution to Tirana and warning that its management of the current crisis could impact its European Union accession journey. The European Commission has explicitly stated that certain decisions by the Albanian government concerning a controversial luxury resort project associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, could negatively affect the European integration process, which is already in a sensitive negotiation phase.

In Albania, street protests against the project have entered their seventh consecutive day. Demonstrators are demanding the cancellation of the luxury resort development, arguing it threatens a protected natural area that serves as a habitat for flamingos, seals, and sea turtles. The project has quickly become a point of tension between Tirana's authorities, civil society, and European institutions, viewed as a test of Albania's commitment to EU environmental standards.

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Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfillment of the criteria for closing [Chapter 27] and we expect the authorities to act without delay.

The European Commission warns that the initiative could directly conflict with European environmental legislation, particularly the requirements of Chapter 27 of the accession negotiations, which covers climate and nature protection. A Commission spokesperson stated that Albania must avoid any actions that could compromise the fulfillment of the criteria for closing this chapter. Brussels insists on full alignment with European directives on birds and natural habitats and calls for a review of changes made to legislation concerning protected areas and the strategic investments law, which critics see as a tool to bypass environmental norms.

Albanian authorities have informed the European Commission that work has been suspended and an environmental impact assessment will be conducted in consultation with civil society. However, a spokesperson for the environment minister noted that no final project proposal has been submitted and no construction permits have been issued, emphasizing that official procedures have not yet commenced. The government in Tirana asserts that the environmental assessment will be carried out transparently and responsibly, while public pressure, dubbed the "flamingo revolution," continues to mount.

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The environmental assessment will be carried out transparently and responsibly.