A Tourism Development Project on Albania’s Zvernec Peninsula Has Sparked Protests and European Scrutiny
The project, linked to Jared Kushner, is situated within the Pishe Poro–Narta protected landscape. Valued at over €4 billion, it is projected to create more than 10,000 jobs. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has described it as a strategic investment to boost tourism.
"The site has been proposed for the Emerald Network and is expected to become part of the Natura 2000 network following Albania's accession to the European Union."
Location and Environmental Status
The Pishe Poro–Narta area is a protected coastal landscape featuring lagoons, wetlands, pine forests, and sand dunes. It serves as a habitat for hundreds of species and is a stopover point for migratory birds, including flamingos.
The adjacent Vjosa Delta has been characterized by environmentalists as the "last intact living delta in the Mediterranean."
Protests and Security Incident
On May 30, activists protesting the construction were forcibly removed from the site by private security guards. This incident prompted public outrage and subsequent solidarity protests in Tirana.
Prime Minister Rama condemned the behavior of the security guards, calling it "disgusting," but affirmed that the project would continue.
Official and International Responses
The European Commission stated it is "closely following developments" and reiterated concerns about the environmental impact of developments in protected areas under Albania's strategic investments law.
Stakeholder Positions
- Prime Minister Edi Rama: Described the project as a strategic investment and stated that the area can accommodate both conservation and tourism.
- Conservationists: Besjana Shehu of the Albanian Ornithological Society criticized the lack of transparency in decision-making and the threat to the ecological integrity of the 18,000-hectare area.
- Ulrich Eichelmann of Riverwatch: Questioned the balance between conservation and economic activity, highlighting the global significance of the Vjosa Delta.
"The balance between conservation and economic activity must be questioned, given the global significance of the Vjosa Delta." — Ulrich Eichelmann, Riverwatch