Dear compatriots!

Dear ambassadors!

Dear representatives of religious communities!

Dear representatives of the media!

Dear friends and guests!

Welcome and thank you for getting together on the most important day of the Albanian nation, the 111th anniversary of the declaration of Albania as free and independent, the day of our flag.

This November of the second century of the independence of the Albanian state - when much has been achieved thanks to the indomitable effort of Albanians inside and abroad - we should be infinitely proud of our country, this common home of God and the guest.

November 28 marks the holiday of a people who knew how to preserve their unique identity, as part of European culture, without causing any conflict, without eyeing any foreign territory. Albanians in the Balkans prove every day how borders can turn into meeting points of opportunities, not opportunities for reviving conflicts and divisions. Our friendship and trust have been and are as true as the generosity of nature with Albania, as well as the generosity of Albanians with every friend.

Dear compatriots and friends!

On November 28, 580 years ago, our national hero George Castrioti Skanderbeg raised the red-and-black flag in Kruja for the first time. On November 28, 1912, Ismail Qemali raised the flag and proclaimed the Independence of Albania, turning this important date into the starting point of the national awakening and the declaration of our European belonging. On November 28, in Prekaz of Kosovo was born Adem Jashari, the leader of Kosovo's liberation of Kosovo, the hero of all Albanians.

These men became our national symbol, embodying the best values of our people: Unity in the face of danger and acceptance of sacrifice in the name of the nation. November 28 is the day of memory and respect for the past and inspiration for the future.

Today is the day to humbly and gratefully remember the extraordinary sacrifice written with the blood of Albanian patriots, of hundreds and thousands of Albanians from Vlora and Pristina, from Ulqin and Tetova, from Shkodra and Çameria, who lit the flame, chased away the darkness of captivity and declared independence.

Dear friends!

A small country, an actor of peace in international relations, Albania is already facing the challenges of building strategic policies inside and outside the country. These are primarily related to improving the quality of life of our citizens and finalizing integration into the European family.

With its excellent level of cooperation with our main ally the USA, with the EU and its member countries, as well as with other important regional and international partners, Albania has a responsibility for the consolidation of democratic stability, economic prosperity, security, and peace. The latest developments in the international arena have proven that peace is never certain and prosperity is never enough.

Ladies and gentlemen!

This day finds Albania one step closer to the European Union. In this context, I appreciate the achievements of the justice reform, which is producing results and creating hope and trust in the public, but also in our partners. Also, I encourage justice structures to continue working with professionalism and dedication. I believe that the European Union community will act with concrete steps in the direction of accelerating the membership of the Western Balkan countries. This is vital for us and strategic for the European Union.

  The Western Balkans remains a sensitive heartland of Europe, which can be used by third actors to create insecurity. Albania will continue to play its constructive role in peace, stability, and regional cooperation, as a NATO member country, as an active country in regional initiatives, and particularly in that of the Berlin Process.

Thanks to the increased credibility as a partner and its constructive role, Albania for the first time became a non-permanent member of the Security Council and chaired it, and was recently elected a member of the Human Rights Council and a member of the executive board of UNESCO.

A strong and democratic Albania is in the interest of the entire Albanian factor in the region. After many efforts and with the precious help of international partners, we are lucky to have two Albanian states in the region. Cooperation with Kosovo in equal positions, as two states of one nation, should be as close, symmetrical, and complementary as possible. We have a lot to learn from each other. We have even more to do to rise to the level of expectations of our citizens.

Dear friends and guests!

The developments of the last 20 years have brought out the Albanian factor in a new light in regional and international relations. We all must turn this new perspective into sustainable development opportunities for the country.

Our diplomatic engagement must go hand in hand with the improvement of economic, political, and social life within the country. Albania already competes in the European and global markets with its human resources. This requires us to become more effective in preserving them, focusing on an economic model that promotes initiative within a free market, that ensures fair competitiveness and that Albanians work in their country.

The economy has seen good rates of development, and I would like to single out the development of tourism. Special attention should be paid to traditionally important sectors such as agriculture, health, and especially education. It is also the moment to ensure the vote of the diaspora and its political representation with the electoral reform.

These are challenges that we cannot underestimate, whatever our achievements. Albania is built neither with indifference nor with passivity, but with work, will, dedication, activism, belief in success, and of course, love for this land. The future is not waited for. It is built.

At this point, I call on the representatives of the Albanians in the Assembly, to sit down and humbly work for an Albania that is ruled by the law, that prioritizes the good of everyone, where everyone works and lives with honor and dignity. In your parliamentary life, be guided by the national interest over ideological differences, by compromise rather than confrontation, by respect rather than arrogance, and above all, by responsibility for the future and love for the country.

Our forefathers managed to rise to the height required by the time and declare Albania an independent state. In the name of national interest, they achieved a historic union.

Today we have an equally difficult mission, to work for the construction of a just society. This is our historical responsibility, which we cannot leave to others either at the door or at the door.

Many have not given up in the face of difficulties and who have managed to build a good life here in Albania. These are success stories that give us hope and courage that this country can and will only be made with desire, will, and faith that success is achieved with work and only with work.

Remembering is not an end in itself. History itself is endless, as is the effort to protect freedom, national identity, and democratic values. Today it is our turn to carry the baton of this effort. Let's keep it with honor, humility, and awareness of the courage and determination of the patriots who ignited the unquenchable flame of independence!

Allow me to close this speech by expressing the pride that our Albania, with the wealth of nature and the kindness of its people, has been here centuries ago, will be here for centuries to come, and will be here forever.

God bless our Flag, God bless Albania and Albanians!