President Begaj’s Address on the Occasion of Receiving the “Honorary Citizen” Title of Gjilan
Indeed, until yesterday, I knew a family from Gjilan, a family present here today, the family of the National Hero, Xhevat Qerimi. Today, with the recognition bestowed upon me by all the citizens of Gjilan, my duty and responsibility are further enhanced.
Honorable Chairman of the Council of Assembly Members of Gjilan, Mr. Kadriu,
Honorable Mayor of the Municipality, Mr. Hyseni,
Distinguished assembly members,
Respected representatives of political parties from all representative groups,
Esteemed representatives of central and local institutions, the police, the army, the judiciary,
Honored associations and organizations from the war or political prisoners,
Honorable families of the martyrs,
Dear citizens of Gjilan,
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is hard to find the right words to express my gratitude, emotions, and honor as I accept this high title from your city.
Gjilan, this city of tradition and history, of sacrifice and resilience, makes me part of it today, and this is an accolade I accept with great humility.
Thank you very much!
This title belongs to all Albanians, who in the most difficult moments of Kosovo’s history stood by and alongside you, as an inseparable part of our common trunk.
Kosovo did not gain independence by chance. It was not a gift. It was a grand victory of a people who never, ever gave up on freedom and the dream of independence.
It was the effort, courage, and sacrifice of entire generations who gave everything for a fairer future.
Gjilan, like every city in Kosovo, knows well the weight of sacrifice and the price of freedom.
This land has given birth to many heroes and patriots.
Gjilan has its own heroes. I see their photos here in this hall, to the left and right.
Allow me to mention a few, and I deeply apologize that I cannot name them all. I start with the hero of Karadak, Idriz Seferi, the hero of the Assembly of Kosovo in Prizren, Ramiz Cernica, the national heroes Kadri Zeka, Rexhep Mala, Nuhi Berisha, Agim Ramadani (or Ushtar Katana), Rrahim Beqiri (or Commander Rroku), and many others who gave their lives for the freedom of Kosovo. I must also mention Xhevat Qerimi.
Today, this city, as I saw when I was coming, is full of life, hope, and young people ready to build the future, a better future, and they know very well that sacrifices were needed for freedom and this freedom is not wasted.
Freedom is not permanent. It needs to be defended and built every day, every day.
True freedom is to remember the past, to value the present, and to build the future with vision.
At every moment in our history, Albania has been close to Kosovo. It has been, and it will always be.
Albania stood by Kosovo in its most difficult moments, during its greatest sufferings, in its struggle for survival and independence.
We will always stand together, even in times of peace, because peace, to be defended, requires something even more difficult: wise minds, clear vision, and the courage to build a future, a more prosperous future for our nation.
Today, we have an opportunity that many generations before us could not dream of and did not have.
Two states, one nation, one language, one blood is our DNA.
This is a great privilege, but it is also an extraordinary responsibility.
We must know how to use this opportunity, to use it to strengthen each other, to build a united economy, to share the best experiences together, and to rise together as Albanians.
This opportunity must be turned into concrete cooperation, cooperation in the economy, education, diplomacy, a common market, and common policies that help our citizens develop and live better.
We are a nation that, while not forgetting the past, looks towards the future.
And we must continue this, not because it is easy, but because it is right.
Albanians are contributors to stability, peace, and cooperation in the region.
We want to be part of Europe, because we belong to it, we belong with our values and history.
We are Europeans, Europeans in spirit, tradition, and culture.
We are a people who believe in democracy, justice, freedom, and the Euro-Atlantic values of a developed society.
Albania and Kosovo must see their future in a shared journey, a joint path toward European integration, where successes and achievements are not separated, we have them together, both successes and achievements.
Dear citizens of Gjilan,
Today, as I receive this honor from your city, I feel a part of this city.
Gjilan is a city that has always maintained the spirit of Albanianism and patriotism.
In its streets, one can feel history, the energy of youth, the hope for the future.
Therefore, from the bottom of my heart, let me thank every citizen of Gjilan!
Thank all those who conceived and gave me this title!
Thank you all who are present in the hall!
May God bless the Albanians and the Albanian nation!
I wish every one of you and our nation all the best!
Thank you!