TIRANA, November 17 – “Tirana is the only capital in Eastern Europe that was liberated by its own forces and those of the allies, without a single Russian soldier setting foot on its territory. And today, as the Russian troops aim at other territories, I believe that for all those who have a question mark about the war, and for all those who use politics to divide over the importance of the war, they will have to think again!”
This was a comment made by the Mayor of Tirana, Erjon Veliaj at the wreath-laying ceremony at the “Unknown Partisan” on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Liberation of Tirana from the Nazi fascist invaders.
In his speech, Veliaj said that only when we are together, just like against the invader, we can rise stronger even when we are threatened by disasters such as the earthquake, the pandemic or the war in Ukraine.
“When we are together we can rise stronger, maybe even stronger than we were when we fell from the earthquake, from the pandemic, or from this treacherous war. So friends, today the mission is the same as on November 17, 1944 – to be together, to be in solidarity, to be Westerners,” said Veliaj.
He remembered the words of Pope Francis, a few days ago, during his visit to the Vatican.
“The Pope reminded us of something, which maybe we take for granted, but he said: “You are the only people who have saved the Jews. Not only did you free yourself with dignity, but you also saved the lives of others.”
Further the Mayor said that Socialists are proud to represent a policy which has its roots in the Anti-Fascist War. “May our martyrs not be forgotten! May they be unforgotten by the people of Tirana,” Veliaj said in the ceremony attended by local dignitaries and members of the Assembly, ministers, partisan war veterans, as well as citizens who laid wreaths at the Unknown Soldier to honor those who gave their lives in the war against fascism. /Argumentum.al
