Prime Minister Edi Rama, during an interview with the Italian magazine Vanity Fair, once again discussed the Zvërnec and Sazan projects, describing them as vital for Albania.

Rama reiterated that he would oppose the projects if they were shown to have a negative impact on the environment. He stated that only luxury tourism can save the country and its natural heritage from the destructive effects of mass tourism.

The Prime Minister also addressed the nationwide protests currently taking place in Albania, alleging that Iran is behind efforts to encourage them.

“Among the protesters there is certainly a component encouraged by Iran. It is no secret that Albania is under pressure: Tehran attempted a cyberattack against our security systems several years ago. They failed,” he said.

Regarding his departure from office, Rama stated that he would do so after Albania’s integration into the European Union. It is worth noting that the Albanian government has set 2030 as the target year for EU membership.

Speaking about integration, the head of government emphasized that Albania still has work to do, but remained optimistic.

Full Interview with Prime Minister Rama for Vanity Fair

Prime Minister Rama: The walls of this office are moving.

Journalist: What do you mean?

Rama: When I first won the elections in 2013, I asked Tony Blair for advice. He replied: “Governing a country is like standing in front of a fresco. You need to keep the right distance; if you get too close, you lose the bigger picture.” The problem is that sometimes the fresco itself comes toward you. The walls close in until they make you feel as if you are in a prison cell from which there is no escape.

Journalist: The living space of Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama—known simply as Edi to everyone, 62 years old, turning 63 on July 4, and two meters tall—is being squeezed from one side by the justice system, whose corruption investigations have reached even his deputy, Belinda Balluku; and from the other side by the political opposition led by Sali Berisha, the leader of the right and former prime minister, who never misses an opportunity to accuse him of turning the country into a “narco-state.”

Then there are the deadlines that must be met to comply with European standards, in the hope of achieving EU membership by 2027, the primary goal of his fourth term.

Since May 23, thousands of people have taken to the streets of Tirana to protest the transfer of Sazan Island and the Vlora coastline to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who plan to build luxury resorts in pristine areas inhabited by pelicans and flamingos.

The flamingos themselves have become the symbol of a movement—the “Flamingo Revolution”—which continues under slogans such as “Albania Is Not for Sale,” quickly transforming environmental concerns into broader dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

First and foremost, against Rama himself, whose resignation is being demanded both inside and outside the country. Even U.S. Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders has publicly criticized what he called the Albanian government’s submission to the “global oligarchy.”

Surrounded on multiple fronts, the former national basketball player, acclaimed artist, former mayor of Tirana, and leader of the Socialist Party builds his defense by questioning the premise itself.

Prime Minister Rama: If it were true that we were selling our land to oligarchs ready to destroy it with massive construction projects, I would be the first to be disgusted. But is that really true?

Journalist: You tell us.

Prime Minister Rama: It is a narrative built on half-truths that, passed from mouth to mouth and post to post, have turned into a gigantic lie.

Let’s start with the half-truths. There are two sites involved. The first, on the coast of Vlora, was privately owned and was sold to investors.

Some people claim the sale was not legal and that Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is now under investigation.

The former owner was under investigation in connection with another matter. The transaction is currently suspended until the legal ownership of the land is clarified, which remains a sensitive issue in Albania since the fall of the communist regime and the redistribution of property titles.

Once ownership is clarified, the payment will go to whoever is legally entitled to it.

Journalist: And the second site?

Prime Minister Rama: It is Sazan Island, which belongs to the state. There is absolutely no intention of selling it. We are negotiating a partnership. Environmental studies will then be carried out to ensure that nature is protected.

Journalist: You are accused of changing environmental protection laws shortly before negotiations with Kushner began, specifically to pave the way for his project.

Prime Minister Rama: We adapted our legislation to European standards, which provide for different levels of protection. There are areas that are completely untouchable, such as the Vjosa River Delta, and there are areas where development is possible, always in compliance with EU standards.

Journalist: The protesters are demanding that the project be abandoned entirely.

Prime Minister Rama: The curious thing is that there is not even a concrete project yet. There is only an idea, a vision that some of the best architects and environmental engineers in the world are working on. I am talking about people such as Kengo Kuma, Jean Nouvel, and Dong Yugan.

When the project is ready, we will proudly make it public and open discussions with environmentalists.

Journalist: Nevertheless, any intervention will inevitably have a greater environmental impact than leaving the area untouched.

Prime Minister Rama: In this case, however, the agreement foresees that there will be more green areas at the end than there are today. The doubts arise from the assumption that economic development and environmental protection are necessarily enemies. That is a mistake.

Only luxury tourism can save the country and its natural environment from the destructive effects of mass tourism. But many people refuse to listen because they are focused on something else.

Journalist: On what?

Prime Minister Rama: On the name of the investor: Kushner, the husband of Ivanka Trump. But when our discussions began, the President of the United States was Joe Biden, and no one knew whether Donald Trump would return to the White House or end up in prison.

I believe it is wrong to use Albania as a battleground for the political conflicts of other countries.

Journalist: Who are you referring to?

Prime Minister Rama: The list is long. Among the protesters there is certainly a component encouraged by Iran.

It is no secret that Albania is under pressure. Tehran previously attempted a cyberattack against our security systems. They failed. Now they are trying again by building an anti-Israel narrative, according to which this project is supposedly a favor to Netanyahu.

It is absurd.

Then there are tourism competitors who naturally oppose our development. There are also my political opponents. The rest are good people who genuinely believe what they are saying.

To them I say: wait until you see the project, and then judge it.

Journalist: Meanwhile, many are demanding your resignation. Do you ever think about stepping down?

Prime Minister Rama: As long as I feel the fire of passion, I will remain.

If Albania were truly accepted into the European Union, the first meeting as a member state would be the most beautiful occasion to resign.

Journalist: Are you still willing to give up the right of veto?

Prime Minister Rama: Absolutely.

Europe should be like a family table where there is a hierarchy. I am not talking about different categories of citizenship, but the European Union cannot function if every decision requires unanimous consent from everyone.

Journalist: How beneficial would Albania’s accession be for the EU?

Prime Minister Rama: A recent study by the European Parliament concluded that, financially, keeping the Western Balkans outside the EU is more expensive than bringing them in.

Journalist: Is there also a political advantage in removing the region from Moscow’s sphere of influence?

Prime Minister Rama: Not for Albania, which has had no official relations with the Kremlin since 1960. There has not been a single state visit since then.

In Albania, Vladimir Putin’s popularity does not exceed 2.7 percent.

The same cannot be said for countries such as Serbia, where Russia is still viewed by many as a potential ally.

Journalist: Yet you have repeatedly said that dialogue with Putin is necessary in order to end the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Rama: Yes. It would be wise to open a negotiating table because Russia exists and will continue to exist.

Europe also has a diplomatic role to play, even in extremely difficult conflicts such as the one between Israel and Hamas.

There is bloodshed, but there must also be dialogue.