Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama vowed to press ahead with a billion-dollar luxury resort project linked to Jared Kushner despite nine days of protests. Rama described the development as a major investment opportunity, rejecting claims that the government was selling public land.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rama said the proposed development could bring significant economic benefits to Albania, highlighting its scale relative to the country’s economy.

“There is the question of whether this project will ultimately be realized or not. This is a blessing for the country,” Rama said. “An investment of €4 billion in a country with a gross domestic product of around €27 billion speaks for itself.”

Addressing criticism surrounding the project, the prime minister insisted that the land involved is privately owned and not public property controlled by the Albanian government.

“As for the project that has generated all this reaction and debate around the world, this is private property,” Rama said. “It is not public land that the Albanian government is giving away or selling. It is private property.”

Rama further emphasized that the proposal is based on a private agreement between private parties and that the Albanian government has no direct involvement in the arrangement.

“It is an expression of interest based on a private agreement between private parties, in which the Albanian government has no connection,” he added.

The project has attracted international attention and generated public debate, with supporters highlighting its potential economic impact while critics have raised concerns about transparency and development priorities.