The European Commission has urged Albania to act without delay to align its policies with EU environmental legislation, a key condition for the country’s EU accession bid. [1, 2] The call came amid growing protests against a luxury resort project on Albania’s southern coast backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama confirmed his government will proceed with the resort development despite environmental concerns voiced by demonstrators. [1, 2] The protests, known as the Flamingo Revolution, focus on potential damage to a migratory bird stopover area near the planned site. They have expanded to include broader opposition to Rama’s 13-year tenure as prime minister. [1, 2]
"Albania should refrain from action that could undermine the fulfilment of the closing benchmark, and we expect the Albanian authorities to act without delay," European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said. [1] The EU requires Albania to meet criteria including full compliance with environmental laws before joining its 27 member states by the 2030 target year for accession. [1, 2]
Rama has pledged that Albania will complete an environmental impact assessment for the resort. [1, 2] He defended the project, stating, "We are very proud of what we have done for the wildlife in Albania. The European Commission has no reason to doubt our firm will to protect whatever has to be protected when it comes to wildlife and nature." [2] Kushner’s company Affinity Partners, which is set to build the resort, did not respond to requests for comment. [1, 2]
Protests were held from June 8 to 9 in Tirana and along the southern coast, drawing attention to both environmental issues and political dissatisfaction. [1, 2] On June 8, Rama gave an interview confirming the plan to continue with the project and highlighted the ongoing environmental assessment. [1, 2] The following day, the European Commission reiterated its demand for swift action on environmental compliance. [1, 2]
Albania must demonstrate progress in meeting EU environmental standards as part of the accession process, with key assessments and regulatory steps expected to continue in the coming months. [1, 2]
