Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has published a detailed statement on social media regarding investment projects on Sazan Island and in the Zvërnec area, just minutes before the start of a citizen protest in Tirana against the planned development in Zvërnec, which has now entered its 15th day.
In a lengthy post titled “Facts Beyond the Murky Channels of the Internet, or a Reflection for All Those Who Slander the Albanian State,” Rama clarified that Sazan Island remains state property and has never been intended or requested for sale.
According to the Prime Minister, the proposed model for the island’s tourism development is based on the participation of the Albanian state in the investment, while negotiations with investors are still ongoing and no final agreement has yet been reached. He emphasized that investors have not yet submitted either the architectural project or the corresponding environmental study.
Regarding the Zvërnec project, Rama explained that the area designated for investment is privately owned land that has been registered in the cadastre for years, and that the transactions carried out concern relations between private entities. He stressed that third-party ownership claims are currently being examined by the courts, but under existing legislation such claims do not prevent the development or sale of legally registered property.
The Prime Minister also addressed the procedures followed by state institutions, explaining that the National Territorial Council did not approve the initial master plan submitted in 2024, but instead requested substantial revisions aimed at environmental protection and reducing the intensity of development.
According to Rama, the development permit approved in March 2026 does not constitute a construction permit and does not authorize the start of construction works, but merely opens the project preparation phase. He noted that the developer must still submit a detailed architectural design, technical documentation, and a Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment before any further decisions can be made.
In his statement, Rama also rejected claims that the protected status of the “Pishë Poro–Nartë” area had been removed, arguing that it remains classified as a “Protected Landscape” under Category V of the IUCN classification system, a status that, according to him, has not been altered by decisions taken in recent years.
Rama stated that Albanian institutions have acted with integrity, professionalism, and in full compliance with the law throughout the handling of the investment process, dismissing accusations and criticism that have been publicly directed at the project.
At the end of his statement, the Prime Minister outlined the steps that still need to be completed, including documentation related to the development permit, the application for a construction permit, the completion of the Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, and verification of the project’s compliance with Albanian legislation and European Union standards.
“The facts are above. Whoever tries to drag Albania backwards again will never succeed,” Rama wrote in the conclusion of his message, describing the project as part of a broader vision for the country’s tourism and economic transformation.
