Albania’s celebration of its 108th Independence Day was marked by messages of its state and government leaders as well as of opposition with a special ceremony in Vlora, a city in southern Albania where the independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912 and in Tirana.
President Ilir Meta, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Speaker Gramoz Ruci paid homage together in Vlora where they laid wreaths at the Monument of Independence on Saturday.
In a statement to the media, the head of state stressed that this November 28 is special, as it is a time of pandemics. According to Meta, independence and sovereignty must be preserved as the eyes of the forehead.
“It’s a special November because of this pandemic disaster. We owe it to ourselves to be careful about celebrating our people’s biggest day. We are confident that next November 28 will be different and we will celebrate it on other circumstances,” he said.
“Happy National Flag Day to all Albanians, especially to President Hashim Thaçi and his comrades, who today are not at home near their families,” Rama said in a note posted on Instagram.
In a homage ceremony held at National Martyrs’ Cemetery in Tirana, the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, said he wanted to wish all citizens and compatriots everywhere where they celebrate the greatest holiday of the Albanian nation.
“I am convinced of the strength and power of the Albanian citizens, of their strength and power to be together and to overcome together the consequences of this pandemic crisis and to come out stronger, more united and more determined,” Basha said. /argumentum.al