In a momentous ceremony held at the premises of the Municipality of Tirana, Ali Ahmeti, the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration of North Macedonia, was bestowed with the prestigious title of "Honorary Citizen" of Tirana.
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| Erion Veliaj handing over to Ali Ahmeti the title of Honorary Citizen of Tirana, May 2, Tirana |
Following the reception of the title, Ahmeti delivered a heartfelt speech to the attendees, who were invited to honor his contribution to Albanians in North Macedonia and beyond.
He expressed gratitude towards Albania, acknowledging its warm-heartedness towards Albanians wherever they reside. "I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is the Tirana of Adem Jashari. This is also the Tirana of Zahir Pajaziti, the Tirana of Fehmi Lladrovc and Xhevë Krasniqi. This mother, Tirana, Albania, has been poor, but it has kept us warm in its embrace. Hundreds are martyrs, heroes of the nation, whom this mother has kept in its bosom. I want to thank you, but an old man once told us: Do not thank each other because you have all worked in your own arena, only good work is said for all the work that is done. However, Albania has shared bread, salt, and heart with us. Kosovo is a state today, and Albanians in North Macedonia are nation-builders," he stated.
In front of Tirana's Mayor, Erion Veliaj, Ahmeti pledged to endeavor to be a worthy citizen of the capital city of Albania, Tirana. "I thank you for this honor, and I will strive to be a worthy citizen. I share this honor with all my comrades-in-arms, the patriots, the political prisoners in my country, and in Kosovo. I share it with the 3,000 killed in my country, who were killed for this flag, for this language. You have honored me. I thank you very much, success and peace in all fields of life," Ahmeti concluded.
The conferral of the "Honorary Citizen" title upon Ali Ahmeti underscores the recognition of his efforts towards fostering solidarity and cooperation among Albanians, transcending geographical boundaries and political affiliations. As Tirana extends this prestigious title to Ahmeti, it reinforces the bonds of kinship and shared heritage that unite Albanians across borders.