Balla: We discussed Zvërnec with MEPs; we stand by our project

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla spoke about the planned investment in Zvërnec, declaring the project must continue because of the value and importance it has, in his view, for the economy and tourism.

Balla said MEPs were given clarifications about the project, while stressing the government will guarantee respect for environmental standards within the EU integration process.

“We had a discussion on this issue. We clarified properly on several guarantees. The first is that such investments are strategic and must be protected. The investment in Zvërnec, not only for its 4-billion-euro value, but for its importance to tourism — saying no to a 4-billion investment is impossible, a major damage to the economy. It will have to be done. The first phase relates to the purchase of the land. The government will guarantee respect for environmental values in connection with Chapter 27 of EU membership. We want to close the negotiation process by Christmas 2027,” Balla said.

Continuing, the Socialist parliamentary group leader also addressed developments in justice and SPAK investigations. Balla described these developments as part of the justice reform and appealed for institutions to continue their work independently.

“We stand by our commitments. The other issue relates to the progress of the justice reform. All these events should be seen as positive culminations of the reform. Corruption exists everywhere, even in Germany, Italy. What matters is that we have institutions that investigate and see things through to the end. My appeal is that SPAK and the judiciary act uninfluenced,” Balla declared.