Albania has assured the European Commission that a controversial luxury tourism project linked to Jared Kushner will comply with EU environmental standards, according to Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. The project, valued at over €1.4 billion, has faced protests due to its location in a protected coastal area.
Albania's commitment to EU environmental standards is crucial for its ongoing EU membership bid, as non-compliance could jeopardize its accession process and impact foreign investment regulations.
Albania has assured the European Commission that a controversial luxury tourism project linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will adhere to European Union environmental standards. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos confirmed receiving assurances that a full environmental impact assessment will be conducted and EU standards respected.
The €1.4 billion project has faced significant opposition and mass protests in Albania due to its proposed location within an ecologically protected area on the Adriatic coast. The European Commission had previously voiced concerns, with spokesman Guillaume Mercier urging Albanian authorities to "act without delay" to prevent jeopardizing the country's EU accession bid.
This warning had caused irritation in Tirana, as it seemed to pre-empt the ongoing environmental assessment. Kos, however, adopted a more conciliatory stance, acknowledging the importance of the right to protest and emphasizing that Albania's EU accession process is legally and politically binding, offering a strong guarantee for environmental protection.
Last year, the Commission had raised concerns about a February 2025 amendment to Albanian law that included special exemptions for investments exceeding €50 million, a category that includes the Kushner-backed Affinity Partners project. Kos reiterated that while foreign investments are crucial, their compliance with EU legislation is the primary concern for the Commission.