New York Times: The Albanian government changed the construction law in protected areas in favor of Kushner

In a long analysis of the connections of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, with foreign investors, the "New York Times" also focuses on the case of Albania and the billion-dollar project in Sazan.

Mentioning Kushner's ambitious project on the island of Sazan, the NYT writes that he was favored by the Albanian government, which changed the laws for the son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump.

The statement is denied by a spokesman for Prime Minister Edi Rama in a reaction to the prestigious American, emphasizing that "the change was not made specifically for Kushner.

Earlier, such an accusation was raised by the opposition and critics of the project in Albania. Kushner, together with his wife Ivanka Trump, visited Prime Minister Edi Rama in Albania last summer, accompanied by Richard Grenell, who, as the NYT says, did the 'shopping' for the project.

Excerpt from the article:

In Albania, where Kushner is negotiating to take over a state-owned island to build a luxury resort, the government has modified some laws to facilitate Kushner's construction. Laws amended by the Albanian government allow the construction of tourist residential units in protected areas and coastal areas.

A spokesman for Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the legal changes were not made to specifically favor Kushner. In an interview, Kushner himself said that he has not lobbied in Albania for legal changes, but called it a sign from the government to promote the tourism economy.

The problem, says Steven L. Schooner, a law professor at George Washington University and a former White House counsel, is that even if Kushner doesn't intentionally ask for favors from foreign governments, he can get them.

"There are many foreign governments that would like to be seen favorably by the president of the United States," Mr. Schooner. "Engaging in business deals with the future president's son-in-law is one way to achieve that."

Kushner said he was confident that if Mr. Trump were re-elected, all decisions his father-in-law made would be based on what was best for the country, not any family business interest. He added that no favors to him from any foreign government would be accepted.

 "If they think they're going to get special treatment from Trump because they're making a deal with me, they're wrong," he said. "That would be stupid."