Last year celebrations in Tirana, President Begaj: Albania Still Has Challenges

President Begaj made these comments in a message of congratulations for fellow countrymen in Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Diaspore.

He expressed the desire for a more prosperous, developed, secure, democratic and European Albania.

Mr. Begaj said the holiday season brings unity in the family and prayers for a new year as prosperous as possible, unity over shared values and aspirations towards the future.

“Today I want to share with you my best wishes and thanks for all Albanians in and out of the country, who contribute daily to their dedication work for a more peaceful, prosperous and European Albania... I want to welcome you and wish you all the best of our fellow countrymen of the Republic of Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro, and wherever they are, President Begaj said.

President Begaj cited the country's achievements in many areas, where, in addition to the performance of European integration, he singled out justice reform, which is ending the culture of impunity.

He stressed that the country still has many challenges ahead in achieving citizens' expectations, among which it listed the need for a more active, transparent and accounting policy, for officials with strong democratic integrity and institutions, which guarantee the rule of law.

The atmosphere of the holiday season in the capital peaked on the last day of December, while thousands of citizens of all ages attended concerts and games in Skender Bej Square.

The square was filled with young men and women, parents with children, and grandmothers and grandparents walking grandchildren with carts.

It's a great miracle for me that the new year found me with my little nephew. Happy are those grandparents who experience this feeling. I'm in all the great parameters: my kids are fine, I'm fine with the lady myself. I hope that all Albanians have a good and peaceful year”, He said about Voice of America, Bardhil Vogli with the newborn nephew in the cart.

Citizens wished each other for prosperity, greater health and success during the new year, as they rushed to meet family members and to buy candy, clothing, traditional food, and the latest gifts.

“Realization, health we want, success as any citizen. The primary is health”, Says Shirley Onia, who has a student son in the first year and wants his exams.

In addition to many locals, Western tourists, and immigrants returning to their families for holidays, the party environment at Skenderba Square was also part of people suffering, bearing early sorrow and pain since the communist dictatorship.

I congratulate all Albanians, for the new year to be a good year, with hope and with all the good. I, as a political persecutor, demand from all instances to try for a solution to over six thousand people shot by dictatorships and are found without a tomb. I have an uncle among them, he's shot, but we don't know where he's resting, so we hope the government will make it possible to find him and have a tomb for him, where we can put a flower and cry and honor him, as we have all cried and honored the rest of us”He said about the Voice of America Philip Nemarkaj, persecuted political.

Tirana is involved in the holiday atmosphere for the end of the year, while citizens wish each other for success and other commitments in the family and at work. / VOA