Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a live broadcast on the "Albania Live" program, stated that SPAK's investigations into persons involved in the land sales in Zvërnec do not affect the progress of the planned investment in the area, as according to him, the property is currently owned by the persons who purchased it.
Commenting on the arrest warrant against Artur Shehu and the investigations into the properties in Zvërnec, Rama said that the issue of investment and the criminal process are two separate issues.
"These are not related to each other. The land no longer belongs to anyone, except those who bought it. Investigations into people who are sellers of the land are ongoing investigations and SPAK is taking its own course. As we speak, the property belongs to the owners who bought it from these sellers. That property is beyond any investigation.", said the prime minister.
According to Rama, the legal process may give justice to people who claim ownership of the land, but this does not affect the investment.
"This is a very good thing and very good news for those who claim that the property is theirs. They will prove it in court if the land is theirs and the money will go to them, not the person who made the sale.", he declared.
The head of government emphasized that from a legal point of view the project does not face any risk, while admitting that opposing reactions can only affect the perception of investors.
"From a legal point of view, the investment does not risk anything. From a point of view of how investors may feel about an unwelcoming approach to investment, this is their issue. Vlora wants this investment", said Rama.
He considered the rejection of a 4 billion euro investment unreasonable, arguing that it is a project with a significant economic impact for the country.
The Prime Minister also rejected claims that property transactions may have been carried out without proper documentation, emphasizing that in Albania, purchases cannot be made without ownership certificates and the relevant notarial and legal verifications.
Rama explained that the project is still in the preliminary stages and that no construction permit has been issued so far.
"We are in a process and there is no building permit, nor has there ever been one. There has only been a development permit, which is a preliminary approval of the concept.", he said.
