The company that is developing the tourist project on Sazan Island has reacted publicly for the first time amid the debate and protests that have accompanied the investment.
In a post published on June 12 on the X platform by the recently created site “Sazan Coast”, the director of Sazan Real Estate Development LLC, Asher Abehsera, said that for four years they have been working to create “a world-class destination on the Albanian coast.”
“For four years we have worked to create a world-class destination on the Albanian coast, based on careful design, environmental protection and long-term economic opportunities,” Abehsera wrote.
According to him, the objective of the project is “to celebrate Albania’s natural beauty, create jobs and build something that future generations can be proud of.”
He added that the future of the project “will ultimately be determined by Albania and the Albanians.”
The statement comes at a time when the project in Sazan and Zvërnec is facing public opposition and citizen protests.
Abehsera himself has previously defended the project. In a statement to The Guardian, he said the developers’ focus remains “responsible governance, environmental improvement, job creation and long-term value creation for local communities,” adding that the company respects the public and institutional processes involved.
Even Ivanka Trump, involved in the project along with her husband Jared Kushner, has described the investment as one of the most ambitious projects of her career, while Prime Minister Edi Rama has repeatedly stated that the island of Sazan will remain the property of the Albanian state and will not be privatized.