Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the state’s participation in Jared Kushner’s planned investment on Sazan Island will be negotiated.

After a meeting in the Socialist Party, Rama described the project of the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump as a “fantastic offer with extraordinary potential”.

“Today we are discussing an Albania, which through these developments becomes directly competitive with those that are the Mediterranean players around us, from Croatia, Montenegro to Greece… We will review the application in a legal process and on which we will negotiate the state’s participation in that investment,” said Rama.

Trump’s son-in-law confirmed last week that he was close to finalizing several major deals for undeveloped assets in Albania and Serbia.

Kushner’s company, Affinity Partners, is in talks with the two Balkan countries for investments in tourist properties worth over $1 billion.

Kushner said his Miami-based firm aims to turn Albania’s largest island, Sazan, in the Mediterranean Sea, into a luxury destination for tourists.

In Albania, he also aims to build several hotels and hundreds of villas in Zvërnec, a coastal area in Vlorë, in the south of Albania.

After meeting with political leaders of the socialists in the 12 regions of the country, Rama said that investments in Sazan island are promising ideas.

“The transformation of Sazan into the golden crown of Mediterranean tourism is a longstanding ambition. Both my predecessors and governments have had it. It has not yet become a reality. Earlier, it was unimaginable for investors to come to Albania. It’s not about giving away anything that belongs to Albanians. On the contrary, the realization of these investments enriches Albanians,” said the Albanian Prime Minister.

Asked why an international tender was not announced but a politically connected person was chosen, Rama said that his government “does not choose individuals, but according to Albanian legislation, we refer to the offers and proposals made to us.”

However, Rama said the proposal is under review and it will be seen if it aligns with the government’s vision as well as creating a necessary balance between development and nature conservation.

Regarding the question of when the idea of this project was born, referring to the fact that Kushner visited the south of Albania twice, Rama said that this idea dates back before he became prime minister.

A few weeks ago, changes to the Law on Protected Areas were approved in Albania, which pave the way for the constructions of hotels or other projects considered strategically important.

The changes were approved at the February 22 session in the Parliament, with only the votes of the majority, while the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, decreed them on March 18.

The opposition in Albania has accused Rama’s government of lack of transparency regarding Kushner’s project, while the Law on Protected Areas has declared that it will send it to the Constitutional Court. Environmental experts have also expressed reservations about the law and investments in protected areas.

Where is Sazan island located?

Sazan island is located at the entrance of the Bay of Vlorë. According to the National Coastal Agency in Albania, it has an area of 5.7 square kilometers.

The climate of Sazan is mild and Mediterranean.

From an ecosystem perspective, it is very rich and protected, as a result of being a continuously military zone.

This has allowed for the avoidance of illegal hunting, as well as other abuses and damages.

In July 2015, Sazan island was opened to the public by the National Coastal Agency.