Albania has guaranteed that a €1.4bn project connected to Donald Trump's son-in-law will adhere to EU environmental regulations, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated on Monday.
The Albanian authorities have provided the European Commission with assurances that a disputed initiative associated with US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will comply fully with environmental legislation, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos reported.
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«The government of Albania has confirmed that a comprehensive environmental impact study will be conducted and that European environmental rules will be upheld,» Kos declared during a press briefing.
Albania currently leads among candidates for EU membership, often regarded as the second most advanced contender after Montenegro.
Nevertheless, to finalize its accession, Tirana must align its legal framework with that of the EU, including environmental safeguards.
The luxury tourism development, valued at more than €1.4 billion, has triggered widespread protests across the Western Balkan nation in recent weeks. This project would impact a protected ecological zone along the Adriatic coastline.
Following concerns voiced by the EU executive regarding the initiative last week, European Commission enlargement spokesperson Guillaume Mercier urged Albanian officials to «act promptly» to prevent endangering the country’s bid to join the EU.
These remarks provoked frustration in Tirana, as they were perceived to imply the Commission had already formed conclusions, whereas Albania’s environmental evaluation is still ongoing.
Kos adopted a more conciliatory approach, emphasizing the importance of the right to protest as a fundamental freedom within the EU and for all candidate nations.
«The fact that such events occur during Albania’s accession process is significant. This procedure is both legally and politically binding, subjected to continuous monitoring and evaluation. Therefore, it provides the strongest assurance that Albania’s natural environment will be preserved according to European standards,» she explained.
In its annual review of candidate countries’ progress toward EU membership last year, the Commission raised concerns about a legislative amendment from February 2025, which introduced special exemptions for investments exceeding €50 million.
This exemption notably covers the investment project supported by Kushner-backed Affinity Partners, which has received privileged access from Albanian authorities.
«Foreign investments hold importance for every candidate country as well as member states,» Kos added. «Our primary focus is not the origin of such investments, but whether they comply with EU regulations.»