From Dublin, Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the European Commission’s report, the debates surrounding the “Flamingo” protests and Jared Kushner’s project for Sazan Island.
Rama said that the European Commission’s report was drawn up on the basis of facts and was not influenced by external perceptions or interests. According to him, the document represents a comprehensive and credible assessment of developments in the country.
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“The European Commission is a highly sophisticated mechanism for examining and assessing facts. Today, many reports circulate that are based on perceptions and interests, whereas the Commission’s report is an overall analysis of what is working and what is not working well,” the prime minister said.
He added that, despite the great indignation and the attention the issue received in the international media, the report was not influenced in its assessment of the facts. “There is no possibility that this could affect the Commission in any way,” Rama said.
Referring to the protests, the prime minister described the “Flamingo Revolution” as a consequence of opposition to US President Donald Trump. He claimed that, if this environmental issue had not been linked to Trump’s shadow, flamingos in Albania would not have become an international topic.
“All those who hate Trump found Tirana’s boulevard to be the place where they could wage this battle, just as Caesar chose southern Albania for the final confrontation with Pompey. For a small country, it is very difficult for the truth to be heard in today’s vast media landscape,” Rama said.
Regarding Jared Kushner’s project on Sazan Island, the head of government said that the investor had not been treated any differently from other domestic or international investors. He announced that negotiations were continuing and stressed that Albanian public opinion should be part of this process.
Rama said that only 8 percent of the island’s area was expected to be built on. According to him, the Albanian government’s demand was for the project to become a symbol and emblem of Europe, rather than a speculative investment.
“On this issue, the Irish have a lot in common with Albanians. We are not French, but we are persistent and direct. We can also take pride in the fact that we are not so sophisticated that we cannot speak the truth about everyday interests,” he said.
The prime minister also recalled that, after Trump’s election, he had been told that his friendship with Soros and his son could pose a risk. Rama said that he did not question either his friendship or his loyalty to people with whom he had longstanding relationships.
“When I met Kushner and we discussed this project, Trump’s future was far from clear. He was a candidate who could have ended up in prison. I saw an American who wanted to do something for my country. As far as this project is concerned, I have no reason to fear what is happening in the United States of America; on the contrary, I can feel proud,” Rama said.
He stressed that the facts would show that Kushner had not received preferential treatment and that the conditions offered were the same as those offered to other investors. “Only 8 percent of the island may be built on, because the Albanian government has requested a project that will be an emblem in Europe,” the prime minister concluded.
