President Begaj Starts His Official Two-Day Visit to Montenegro in Tuzi and Plavë-Gucia
President of the Republic, H.E. Bajram Begaj, began his official two-day visit to Montenegro starting with the Albanian municipalities of Tuzi and Plavë-Gucia, where he was warmly welcomed in a festive ceremony.
In Tuzi, the “Besa” ensemble greeted the President of the Republic of Albania with “Vallen e Mejdanit” in the square where the monument of the national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, stands.
President Begaj laid a wreath at the Skanderbeg monument, installed in this square last November 28th during the Flag Day celebration, and greeted the citizens.
He then held a meeting with leaders of Tuzi and political representatives of the Albanians in institutions, discussing the strengthening of the Albanians’ position in Montenegro and the region, and their joint commitment to their welfare. The State Head encouraged the leaders of Tuzi to continue efforts to preserve the identity, while guaranteeing Albania’s support for protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, emphasizing that this is a priority for Albanian institutions.
Even in the meeting with Albanian activists of Plavë and Gucia, as the President became acquainted with their challenges, he highlighted the need to find ways to preserve and strengthen the Albanian identity against challenges like emigration or the assimilation of indigenous Albanians.
President Begaj praised the Albanians who have maintained their language and Albanian spirit, and expressed willingness to follow cross-border developmental projects that would impact the economy of these regions, stressing the importance of realizing joint projects between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
President Begaj emphasized the importance of this meeting for addressing the Albanian issue and the continuation of such contacts, so that communication can also be institutionalized through the construction of connecting infrastructure.
“The national issue must dominate over any political interest, as it is more important; we must also work hard to protect the Albanian language,” expressed President Begaj: “Our common interest is to protect our DNA, and our DNA is linked with the language. You say no one is stopped at school from learning Albanian, but we need to promote more, inherit more, cultivate more. This can be achieved with the contribution of every Albanian living here, children, youth, adults, wise elders, who must come together for what is important to us.”
President Begaj pledged to convey such a message to his counterpart, Milatovic, to develop these areas so that the youth can find job opportunities here, so the Albanian youth do not emigrate but live in their ancestral lands.
President Begaj promised the Albanians in Montenegro that he personally, and as the President of the Republic, would be at their disposal in the service of great national interests and also assured them of the attention of the Albanian state.
