European Commission warns Albania over development project near protected site

Protests in Albania have reached their seventh day as citizens demonstrate against a luxury resort project on the country's southern coast associated with Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump. Demonstrators argue that the project threatens a protected wildlife area home to flamingos, seals, and sea turtle nesting grounds. The European Commission has warned Albania that proceeding with the project could conflict with EU environmental standards, specifically potentially jeopardizing the closure of Chapter 27 regarding environment and climate change in its EU accession negotiations. An EU spokesperson stated that Albania must refrain from actions that undermine integration criteria and must align with the Birds and Habitats Directives. The Commission also called for the withdrawal of amendments to laws on protected areas and strategic investments. Albanian Minister of Environment, Sofian Jaupaj, informed Brussels that construction work has been temporarily suspended pending an environmental impact assessment involving civil society. The protests are fueled by concerns over ecological preservation and compliance with EU integration requirements.