Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke today about protests against the planned investment in Zvernec. He said scientific assessments and the project’s environmental impact will determine whether construction moves forward.

Speaking at the Euronews Summit 2026, Rama said the investment has no political link to Donald Trump. Instead, he said investors see strong potential in Albania.

According to Rama, discussions about the project began before Donald Trump returned to the White House.

“The real reason they came is not political. It has nothing to do with Trump. Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a major Qatari tourism company saw Albania as an attractive place to invest. The discussions began when it was still unclear whether Donald Trump would return,” Rama said.

Meanwhile, Rama described the project as part of a vision for “next-generation tourism”. He said economic development and environmental protection can work together.

“Next-generation tourism should not come from a conflict between development and nature. Instead, it should combine development with nature,” he said.

Rama also called for a shift from traditional conservation toward ecosystem regeneration. He said Albania should use modern expertise to protect and restore natural areas.

Regarding the protests, Rama said the government should focus on the condition of the ecosystem. He noted that the lagoon and surrounding area face environmental problems.

At the same time, he said the project would involve architects, environmental engineers, hydrologists and geologists.

“Everyone talks about the lagoon, but nobody knows how polluted it is. The area also has different types of trees that need care and regeneration,” Rama said.

He added that the project aims to create a tourism destination where nature remains central. At the same time, he said the development could strengthen the local economy.

“I am not talking about ideology. I am talking about something completely different. With the knowledge and expertise we have today, we must be creative and innovative. Above all, we must see nature as our most important asset,” Rama said.

Finally, Rama addressed the question of whether construction would continue despite the protests.

“I will repeat what I have said from day one: science will decide whether construction continues or not. The decision will not be made in the streets,” he said.

Rama said the government will rely on an environmental impact assessment. If experts conclude that a specific area should remain untouched, he said, authorities will not develop it.

“If the assessment tells us where we are right and where we may be wrong, we will correct what is wrong and continue with what is right. However, if experts say that a specific area must not be touched, we will leave it untouched. Science will decide, not the streets or ideology,” Rama said.

/a.c/