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“The land was not given to us by the Albanian government,” Kushner said, claiming that his partners purchased it from a private party for €230 million, a price he described as among the highest paid in the region for a transaction of this scale. He added that legal advisers had reviewed and verified the property title.
Kushner Says Zvërnec Project Could Reach €4 Billion
The businessman said the development could represent approximately €4 billion in investment if successfully completed, potentially generating jobs, economic activity, tourism revenue and greater international visibility for Albania.
According to Kushner, the project has been under development for more than three years, with tens of millions of dollars spent studying the terrain, environmental conditions and regional needs. He said architects, designers, engineers and environmental specialists had been brought together to shape the proposal.
Kushner also credited the Albanian Kastrati family with first bringing the investment opportunity to his attention, describing them as an established business family with strong ties to Albania.
He identified Asher Abehsera as the project's partner and chief executive officer, responsible for overseeing its day-to-day development. Kushner described himself as a minority partner whose personal involvement has focused primarily on the project's vision and design.
Denies Project Was Linked to Trump’s Political Interests
A central part of Kushner’s response addressed suggestions that the investment could have been advanced to secure political advantages through his relationship with US President Donald Trump, his father-in-law.
Kushner rejected that interpretation, arguing that his interest in Albania began in the summer of 2021, when he was a private citizen and well before Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign.
He also disputed suggestions that the Albanian government approved the Vlora airport at his request. According to Kushner, the airport had already been approved when he first examined the investment opportunity, and its existence was one of the factors that attracted him to the region.
These are Kushner’s explanations of the project’s origins and chronology; they do not, by themselves, resolve the broader questions raised by critics about land transactions, regulatory decisions or potential conflicts of interest.
Environmental Concerns and Land Ownership Remain Under Scrutiny
Kushner acknowledged that local residents have legitimate questions and concerns, insisting that the project must comply with Albania’s regulatory and environmental requirements and obtain the necessary approvals before proceeding.
“Our ambition is to build to the highest standards of design and environment, and to leave this extraordinary part of Albania greener, more biodiverse and more environmentally resilient,” he said.
However, the project has faced opposition over its potential impact on the sensitive coastal environment around Zvërnec and the nearby Vjosa-Narta protected area. Questions have also been raised about competing claims to land intended for development.
Reuters previously reported that local residents disputed aspects of the land ownership and that the proposed resort had triggered environmental concerns and protests. Those disputes remain important to the wider debate over the project.
Kushner maintains that the investment is private and that his partners are assuming substantial financial risk. But the distinction between purchasing land privately and obtaining the public approvals required for a major development remains central to the controversy.
“Albania Will Decide” Whether the Project Moves Forward
In his closing remarks, Kushner said the final decision rests with Albania and its institutions. He expressed hope that, if approved, the project would become a destination that Albanians and international visitors could enjoy for generations.
The statement marks a direct public defense of an investment that has become a focal point of debate over foreign capital, property rights, environmental protection and the relationship between business and political power in Albania.
Whether the proposed development proceeds will depend not only on its projected economic benefits but also on the outcome of the relevant legal, regulatory and environmental processes.