The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, and the Rector of the College of Europe, Federica Mogherini, today signed the agreement for the first campus outside the European Union, simultaneously opening the doors to world-class education for Albanian students. 

Mayor Veliaj said that the opening of this campus in Tirana will give shape not only to a part of the city, but at the same time it is an indicator of the fantastic synergy of the capital. 

"I am really very honoured today that our friend, Federica Mogherini, is here with us, on the roof of the city, to start a collaboration, which starts from a small cube at the Pyramid, which will be the office of the College of Europe. Today, together with Federica, we shape a part of the city, with the hope that this cube will then shape the city. I believe this is the fantastic synergy we have in this city. We do things with love, we do things not for the next election, but for the next generation. I feel really good when I think about how that small cube, which we have shaped, will shape us with all the fantastic experiences there", said Veliaj. 

The Mayor underlined that today the Pyramid has been transformed into one of the most valued properties in Tirana. 

 "With the opening of the Pyramid this afternoon, as the most valued property in the center of Tirana, we bring our values and beliefs, youth and Europe there. I can't wait that today we will start with the first cube, then continue with the dormitory, and then to the space of the temporary bus terminal in the Student City, which will be transferred to the southeast of Tirana, in Lunder, we will have the building of The College of Europe", he added. 

On the other hand, the rector of the College of Europe, Federica Mogherini, announced the opening of applications for the next academic year, for students who will study at the European University of Bruges, on the Tirana campus. 

"It will be a special opportunity to bring here so many young people from all over Europe and beyond, to get to know the city, to live in this city, to experience what it is to live in this good weather, with good climate, with good people, but also to experience the experience offered by the vibrancy of the city of Tirana. We are really excited about this journey that starts today. You have been fantastic as mayor to organize this process, together with the team, because it has been a team effort and it says a lot about the spirit we have shown here. I can't wait to be here almost always with the team and to make this project grow, which will not only cultivate the knowledge of Europe's youth, but also change them", declared Mogherini. 

She announced that initially 31 students will start their studies, and then this number will continue to grow.