The European Commission warns Albania that the real estate project related to Jared Kushner may affect the accession negotiations.

The European Commission has stated that it is closely monitoring the luxury real estate project in Albania, linked to Jared Kushner, and has warned that Albanian authorities must avoid actions that could undermine the fulfillment of the criteria for closing Chapter 27 on the environment and climate change. The Commission says it has already expressed concerns to the Albanian Minister of Environment, who committed that construction works have been suspended and that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment will be carried out in consultation with civil society.

The European Commission has warned Albania that the luxury real estate project linked to Jared Kushner, contested through protests in recent weeks, may raise issues for accession negotiations if it affects environmental obligations under Chapter 27. In a press briefing in Brussels, the Commission conveyed that Albanian authorities must avoid actions that could undermine the fulfillment of the criteria for closing the chapter on the environment and climate change.

In short:

The European Commission says it is closely monitoring developments related to the real estate project in the protected Vjosa-Narta area of Albania.

Brussels has already expressed concerns to the Albanian Minister of Environment regarding possible deficiencies in the project.

According to the Commission, the Minister of Environment has committed that the works have been suspended and that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment will be carried out.

The Commission links the file to Chapter 27 of the accession negotiations, which concerns the environment and climate change.

Albania must fully align with EU environmental legislation, including the Birds and Habitats Directives, and demonstrate that it can protect future Natura 2000 sites.

"The Commission is closely monitoring developments in the protected Vjosa-Narta landscape," said the Commission's spokesperson. He stated that Brussels has already expressed concerns to the Albanian Minister of Environment regarding "the potential deficiencies of this project."

According to the Commission, the Albanian Minister of Environment "has committed that construction works have been suspended" and that "a comprehensive environmental impact assessment will be carried out for the project, in consultation with civil society." The Commission added that the project is also subject to ongoing investigations by Albania's special anti-corruption structure, which go beyond the environmental component.

The question was raised in the context of protests in Albania against a luxury real estate project associated with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of American President Donald Trump. The protests have focused on risks to the coastal area and protected areas, as well as accusations regarding insufficient transparency and lack of public consultation.

The Commission pointed out that its concerns are not new. The spokesperson recalled that the enlargement report already mentioned that "the repeated extension of the law on strategic investments continues to raise concerns about possible environmental impacts," especially in protected areas.

Regarding the accession process, the Commission explicitly linked the project to Chapter 27, concerning the environment and climate change. According to the spokesperson, for the closure of this chapter, Albania must "fully align with EU legislation in this area, including the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive."

The Commission also specified that Albania must put an end to the 2015 legislation on strategic investments. Additionally, for the closure of Chapter 27, Tirana must demonstrate that it has the capacity to manage future Natura 2000 sites, including through conservation measures and by protecting habitats and species.

"Albania should refrain from actions that could undermine the fulfillment of the closure criteria," said the Commission's spokesperson, referring to Chapter 27. "We expect Albanian authorities to act without delay," he added.

When asked whether the project is already considered by the Commission a violation of Chapter 27, the spokesperson did not provide a definitive legal conclusion. He stated that, in the context of the environmental chapter, there are measures that need to be taken to protect the environment and that, in this logic, the Commission has expressed its concerns regarding the legislation and the discussed project.

The Commission did not confirm whether discussions will be raised to the level of Prime Minister Edi Rama or whether a European Commissioner will intervene directly. The spokesperson said he could not speculate on future contacts at a higher level but specified that Brussels has already been in contact with Albanian authorities and will continue these discussions.

In response to a question regarding transparency and consultation, the Commission insisted on how the environmental assessment should be conducted. "Our expectation is that this assessment will be made in a transparent manner," conveyed the spokesperson.