On Sunday, protests in the country continued for the seventh day in a row, with Albanians demanding the abandonment of a project to build a luxury resort linked to US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, arguing that the project threatens a protected natural area where flamingos, seals and turtle nesting sites live.
The Commission warns that this project could put Albania on a collision course with EU environmental regulationsthreatening its ability to close the “green chapter” in accession negotiations.
“Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine compliance with the closure criteria, and we expect the Albanian authorities to take action without delay,” a European Commission spokesman told POLITICO in response to a question about the controversial investment proposal.
“In the EU accession process, within the criteria for closing Chapter 27 on environment and climate change, Albania is expected to fully align with EU legislation in this field, including the Birds and Habitats Directives,” the spokesman stressed, calling on Albania to repeal changes to the Protected Areas Act and to “withdraw” the Strategic Investments Act. As part of the EU accession process, Albania is expected to align with EU environmental legislation.
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The spokesman also said that Albania's Environment Minister, Sofjan Jaupay, informed the Commission that construction on the project has been suspended and an environmental impact assessment will be carried out in cooperation with civil society.
“We have already expressed our concerns to the Minister of the Environment regarding the potential shortcomings of this project,” the spokesman added.
However, Jaupaja's spokesman told POLITICO that the minister “informed the Commission that no final project proposal has been submitted and construction work has not started because no building permit has been issued.” He reiterated that the project would be subject to “a comprehensive and responsible environmental impact assessment, carried out in full transparency and with the participation of public consultations.”
The protests continue unabated
The protests, dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution” after the flamingos that live in the protected area, intensified over the weekend. They are also getting louder calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Albania's independent anti-corruption institution, SPAK, has also launched an investigation into controversial changes to the area's conservation status and land ownership in 2024.
Rama recently told POLITICO that EU leaders do not currently show much interest in the political unrest in Albania. In an interview given on the occasion of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro on June 5, Rama also stated that “if it wasn't for Jared, everyone would have given a damn about this project.”
ELVIS BARUKCIC / AFP / AFP
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama before the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat, June 5, 2026.
Albanians in New York, London, Brussels, Milan and Berlin, as well as in other cities in Albania, joined the calls to abandon the project and to prevent Albania's nature from falling victim to uncontrolled tourism.
Albania is the front-runner for EU accession alongside Montenegro, and Rama has set a target of joining the EU by 2030, with technical negotiations expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The concerns stem from what critics say are changes to Albania's 2024 Protected Areas Law opened the door to new investments in sensitive natural areas. This includes the Vjosa-Narta protected area, where the Kushner-related project is located and where no environmental impact assessment has been carried out.
Brussels has also long been pressing Tirana to abolish the 2015 Strategic Investments Law because it gives favored projects a fast-track procedure that risks circumventing EU environmental safeguards.
During an online meeting on May 26 with representatives of the European Commission, Jaupaj noted that Albania is committed to ensuring that each potential development project is subject to a comprehensive and responsible environmental impact assessment, carried out in full transparency and with public consultation.
Albania stated that it remains fully committed to the process of accession to the European Union. As part of the criteria for closing Chapter 27 on environment and climate change, Albania is committed to full compliance with EU environmental legislation.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
