"It is being resisted in an absurd way"/ Rama: The Zvërnec project, the largest investment in Europe for tourism

2026-06-07 18:00:00, Politikë CNA

"It is being resisted in an absurd way"/ Rama: The Zvërnec

Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered his speech at the 35th anniversary event of the Socialist Party in Elbasan. Rama stated that today Albania is close to realizing its centuries-old dream of membership in the European Union.

He added that today Albania is closer to the EU, also thanks to the opportunity that nature gives our country to be richer.

"Today we have other challenges, but the biggest one is not to waste Albania's time. Let's not waste the chances and trains of this country's history. Because we have lost a lot of time and opportunities and then remained on the edge of dangerous abysses. Today we are closer than ever to the realization of a centuries-old dream of Albanians. Naim Frashëri left his legacy written down that today is in our hands. But today we have in our hands the great opportunity to lift Albania up and place it on that peak where Naim Frashëri and all those who loved the free and independent country wanted it. Today we are closer than ever to the EU, and a transformation to another level for our economy and society. Not only thanks to joining the EU, where countries that join are welcomed and financially supported, but also thanks to the opportunity that nature has given us, which gives Albania all the potential to be a rich country ," said Rama.

The Prime Minister further emphasized that Albania has more opportunities than any other country in the region to have high incomes thanks to the luxury tourism industry. Rama emphasized that the Zvërnec project that is being protested is the largest investment in tourism in Europe.

"Look at our neighbors. Look at what Greece has done with tourism and how much it has earned from tourism. Montenegro too. A country with a smaller territory than Albania and very few natural resources. It is at the top in terms of salaries, financial support. There are no factories and no industry or agriculture. How is it possible that it has higher per capita income? This is only because Montenegro has done what it is our turn to do today and for which they have come out to protest. The reason why it has become a mess where feelings about the environment have been confused with all sorts of other goals and agendas. If that project had been done here, Montenegro would not have become what it became so quickly. We would also have the first place in terms of salaries, pensions and other income. Only thanks to the luxury tourism industry. Those who say that we do not have money to enter those resorts do not know that those resorts and hotels are the engines of the country's economy. They are "reason why farmers, fishermen, buses, taxis can have more work. The state receives more taxes. The project that is being resisted absurdly. The project, an investment of 4 billion euros and is the largest investment in Europe for tourism for many, many years. And we will do it like a cow that fills the cup and then kicks it, showing the world a completely different picture of what we are", he said. /CNA