Written by journalist Danylo Aleksandrov

European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said that Albania should stay away from the actions that might undermine its intention to join the European Union. This came as concerns rise about a resort project linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.

The message from the Commission looks like a warning to Albania, which recently approved a project of building a resort on the island of Sazan. In the past the largest Albanian island off the south-western coast of the country served as a military outpost, first for the Italians, then for the communist regime. In 2010 it was granted the status of National Marine Park.

But the most recent development in the island history is connected to Kushner’s Affinity Partners, which plans to construct a resort on Sazan and in some areas of neighboring Albanian mainland. The project is valued at around €1.4 billion and is aimed at wealthy visitors, as it includes plans for luxury villas, hotels, a marina etc. This, along with approval by government of Albania sparked protests against the construction and for the protection of environment.

Protests are in their second week, with demonstrators demanding cancellation of the project. They point out at environmental risks associated with building and using the resort on the island. The pink flamingo became the symbol of the protest, as the birds are known to inhabit nearby land, also threatened by construction. Some even call for country’s Prime Minister’s resignation.

European Commission also criticized the plan, reminding Albania that legal procedures as well as care for the environment are among those values which need to be upheld by EU members and those countries wishing to join the bloc. Mercier said, Commission expressed its concerns to Albanian Minister of Environment, who in turn stated that the construction works are suspended.

In spite of all this, Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, says that the project should proceed, describing the protests and criticism of the plan as hybrid action against him and his government, using environmental concerns as a facade.