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22:51 TODAY

Businessman Artur Shehu breaks his silence: I am a long-time land owner in Zvërnec, I don't know the investors at all

Albanian businessman Artur Shehu spoke on the Opinion show...

Rama to CNN: There is no project for Zvërnec yet

2026-06-03 21:53:00, Politikë CNA

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke to CNN regarding the "Zvërneci" issue and the protests that have been taking place in recent days in Albania.

Rama has clarified to the American media that there is no project for Zvërnec yet, while adding that today Albania is in a hybrid war and is being attacked by enemies.

Among other things, it has been stated that top-level environmental engineers and social impact specialists are working to create the project.

He also stressed that the environmental impact assessment is still being carried out. The head of government said that the SPAK investigation is related to one of the land owners and not the investment.

EXCERPT FROM THE INTERVIEW:

Journalist: Let me first get your reaction to the protests we have seen both in the capital Tirana and in the coastal cities, regarding this development related to Jared Kushner. How do you respond to their protests and concerns?

Rama: First of all, I thank you for giving me this opportunity, because I have to say that it is really impressive to feel the weight of fake news coming even from media that, in my eyes, are very respected. And just to clarify, you said protests all over Albania. That is false. There are no protests all over Albania. There is a protest in the capital.

We are in a hybrid war. Albania is under attack from enemies we know very well. It is under attack from very strong competition in our part of the Mediterranean. It is under attack from thousands and hundreds of thousands of fake profiles (bots) that have been created to cause this whole storm.

And of course, there are well-meaning people in this protest, young people who are generally interested in the environment, but who are largely misinformed. There is no such thing as a “Trump family island.” There is no such thing as the American president’s family taking over protected areas with flamingos.

Rama: Listen, thank you for showing that video, because it is precisely the portrait of someone who is misinformed or part of those who misinform. Because, first of all, there is no project. He is talking about a project that he has not seen anywhere else except in false images created and distributed on social networks in Albania, because we are in a hybrid war. As for the project…

Journalist: So, just to clarify, the project will not continue?

Rama: Again, there is no project yet. There is no project.

Journalist: I want to listen to you, Mr. Prime Minister, but I'm trying to clarify...

Rama: Do you want to listen to me or do you just want to talk?

Journalist: I want to listen to you, but I'm trying to clarify for our viewers. You're accusing us of fake news and I'm trying to understand if the project is continuing or has been stopped. Because, according to Politico reports, the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption in Albania has launched an investigation into this project. How can the project continue under these conditions?

Rama: Again, you don't want to listen. It's very clear to me. I'm not attacking you. I'm telling you the truth. And until you show me the project, you have to listen to me, because there is no project. To create this project, the group that consists not only of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, but also of other very respected investors, has engaged five of the best architects in the world today:

Kengo Kuma from Japan, Bjarke Ingels from Denmark, Emre Arolat from Turkey, K-Studio from Greece, Jean Nouvel from France. They are working together with top-level environmental engineers and social impact specialists. Meanwhile, one of the largest consulting companies has also been engaged for the environmental impact assessment.

People deserve to live in a different kind of environment, where they can enjoy nature and at the same time show it respect. So, the project doesn't exist yet. The environmental impact assessment is still being carried out. Do you understand? And let me finish.

Journalist: I am listening to you, Mr. Prime Minister.

Rama: Let me finish, because you mentioned Politico and said there is an anti-corruption investigation. This is fake news. The investigation is about one of the owners of the land. It is private land and one of the owners sold the property, which was purchased through completely transparent banking transactions.

The investigation is about that issue. It's not about the investment. It's not about the project. It's not about Kushner. It's not about Trump. It's not about any of the stuff that's being thrown into this mix to create the sensational news that Albania is a place where we're killing flamingos.

Because the challenge is not to build a city. The challenge is not to pour concrete over the heads of flamingos. The challenge is to prove that development and nature can not only coexist, but that nature and development need each other. People deserve to live in a different kind of environment, where they can enjoy nature and at the same time show it respect. So the project does not exist yet. The environmental impact assessment is still being carried out. Do you understand? And let me finish.

Journalist: Thank you, Mr. Rama! /CNA