Environmentalists slam Kosovo billionaire’s national park development project as dangerous

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• Plans to develop a luxury tourist resort in a protected national park and lagoon along the Adriatic just 80 km south of Tirana have sparked concerns by environmental NGOs and activists who say the project seriously endangers the local flora and fauna, including the already endangered population of Dalmatian Pelican. The project has been proposed to the Albanian government by a Switzerland-based company owned by Kosovo-Albanian billionaire and politician Behgjet Pacolli known for its construction projects in Russia and Kazakhstan during the past two decades. If given the okay by the Albanian government, the proposed 3,342 hectare project is expected to be implemented under the so-called Albania 1 Euro initiative which provides investors free of charge construction sites and facilities in return for investment and job creation.