Kushner-backed resort tests Albania’s EU accession standards

The controversy centers on government maneuvers to bypass environmental protections. Prime Minister Edi Rama stands accused of amending national construction bans in 2024 to specifically exempt luxury developments, a move that directly conflicts with the strict environmental benchmarks required for EU integration. During a recent accession conference, the European Parliament’s environment committee signaled that progress on three negotiating chapters—science, education, and external relations—risks appearing hollow while these conservation issues remain unresolved.

Greek-Albanian MEP Fredis Beleris criticized the current diplomatic approach, warning that prioritizing these negotiations sends a message that the EU favors Rama’s administration over the concerns of the Albanian public. While the European Commission has formally urged Tirana to revoke both the controversial construction law and a broader strategic investment policy facilitating such projects, enforcement remains stagnant. To date, the only tangible response from the Commission is a requirement for a full environmental impact assessment, leaving the broader issue of illegal building and governance standards largely unaddressed.