Kushner's luxury resort plans transform Albania's Sazan Island into 'Trump Island'

Sazan Island, Albania's largest island and a site with a long military history, is slated for a significant transformation into a luxury resort, spearheaded by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The uninhabited island, strategically located at the junction of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, is envisioned by Kushner as an "ideal resort" destination.

This development has already led locals to dub the island 'Trump Island,' reflecting the high-profile association. Historically, Sazan Island has been a site of military activity since antiquity, serving Roman, Ottoman, Italian, and German forces, and later as a Cold War military base for Albania, evidenced by numerous remaining bunkers. In 2010, the surrounding waters were declared a national marine park, and the island has been open to the public for the past decade.

Kushner's ambitions extend beyond Sazan Island. He also plans a similar resort development, projected to accommodate around 10,000 guests, in the Vjosa-Narta protected lagoon area. This ecologically sensitive region is home to diverse wildlife, including flamingos, seals, and sea turtles. The prospect of mass tourism in this delicate habitat has sparked protests from citizens and environmental organizations.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the projects, stating his aim is to boost investment in the country. However, the plans, particularly those for the protected lagoon, have drawn criticism. Kushner, who also served as Trump's special envoy for diplomatic negotiations in various regions, presented these resort plans two years ago. He visited the island earlier this year with his wife, Ivanka Trump. The proposed investment for Sazan Island alone is reportedly valued at 1.4 billion euros.

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create the ideal resort where I would want to be with my family and friends