Edi Rama praises Donald Trump, calls Kushner a friend – and defends a billion-dollar project on Albania’s coast.

In a wide-ranging interview with Bloomberg News, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama discussed his relationship with former Trump administration figures, explicitly praising both Donald Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Critics accuse Rama of signaling political proximity to Trump through economic projects. Rama strongly disagrees.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Rama said:

“When Trump says God saved him to make America great again, that’s only half the story. The other half is: God saved Trump to wake up Europe.”

He accused the European Union of being “too self-referential” and “selfish” – and said Trump’s confrontational style had forced the EU to rethink its priorities.

Despite his position as a socialist head of government, Rama once again revealed himself to be an avowed Trump admirer. Trump, Rama said, “has been good for everyone.” (Bloomberg, April 10, 2025)

Luxury resort on Sazan Island: Rama defends Kushner project

In the interview, Rama also confirmed his government’s provisional approval of a luxury resort project to be developed by Jared Kushner’s company on the Albanian island of Sazan. According to Rama, the project, which involves a former military site on the southern coast of Albania, is worth around $1.4 billion.

As Reuters reported in January, Kushner’s firm, Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC, was given the status of strategic investor, which comes with tax and bureaucratic advantages in Albania.

Critics accuse Rama of trying to score political points by being close to Kushner. He strongly rejects this. He told Bloomberg:

“Back then, in 2021, Trump was not in power. A deal with Kushner would not have gotten us anywhere in Washington – quite the opposite.”

Rama emphasized that this was a partnership with conditions, and by no means a “surrender of the island”. He said the decision was deliberately made in favor of a long-term investor model to develop the coastal region economically.

US election campaign strategists active in Albania

The interview takes place in the middle of the election campaign for the parliamentary elections on May 11. Rama is running again for the Socialists. His biggest challenger is the conservative former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who has been sanctioned by the US for alleged corruption. (Bloomberg)

Explosive: Berisha is currently being advised by Chris LaCivita – one of the co-managers of Trump’s 2024 campaign. In February, LaCivita posted a picture showing Rama together with Alexander Soros (the son of George Soros) and mockingly commented: “Puppet and puppeteer.”

Trump world increasingly active in the Balkans

Rama’s interview highlights a broader geopolitical pattern: figures from the Trump orbit are increasingly active in Southeast Europe. Bloomberg reported that Donald Trump Jr. was received by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in March. Advisers from Trump’s circle are also involved in Romania and Montenegro.

Rama, on the other hand, presents these international connections as purely strategic. About Jared Kushner, he said:

“I am lucky enough to be able to talk to him. I would call him a friend – I don’t know if he would say the same about me, but that’s how I see it.”

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