Brussels has cautioned Albania over the construction of a hotel by Trump's son-in-law

The European Commission has called on Albania to immediately ensure full compliance with EU environmental legislation if the country wishes to join the bloc. The warning was prompted by the Albanian government’s plans to continue construction of a luxury resort on the protected Adriatic coast, which is being financed by a company owned by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the U.S. president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump. 

The European Commission’s spokesperson, Guillaume Mercier, announced Brussels’ position. 

Despite environmental risks and mass protests, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that the country will not abandon the investment project. Public protests against the development have already been dubbed the “Flamingo Revolution,” as the site planned for construction is a critically important stopover for migratory birds, particularly flamingos. In recent days, rallies in Tirana and along the southern coast have escalated into a broader wave of discontent against Rama’s 13-year tenure in power.

As the European Union has declared its readiness to accept new members (including Albania, Montenegro, and Ukraine) by 2030, Brussels is emphasizing strict adherence to “green” standards. A European Commission spokesperson stressed that Tirana must refrain from actions that could derail the fulfillment of the final accession criteria. For his part, Edi Rama sought to reassure international partners, assuring them that the official environmental impact assessment would definitely be completed and that the Albanian government’s commitment to protecting wildlife remains unwavering.

Source: Reuters.

Kushner, who also serves as Trump’s special envoy, had previously publicly presented plans to transform the site into a large resort with approximately 10,000 hotel rooms. 

Albania’s Special Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime announced the launch of an investigation into the project.