As part of his official visit to Italy, President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, also visited the municipality of Roshanos, where he met with the local authorities of the municipality and also the region of Abruzzo, with representatives of the Arbër community of Roshanos, but also with the new diaspora of Albanians settled there in the last three decades.
In this meeting, President Begaj was honored with the title of “Honorary Citizen” by the Mayor of Roshanos, Dr. Simone Palozzo.
In his speech, President Begaj appreciated the dedication of Arbëresh’s community of Vila Badesa, who knew how to preserve the language, culture, and traditions of the ancestors.
“Thank you very much for this warm hospitality that you organized on the occasion of my arrival in Vila Badesa, and moreover organized in this Church, a symbol of Arbëresh people of and pride for every Albanian,” said President Begaj in his speech.
President Begaj also stopped at the meeting with President Mattarella, underlining that: “I assure you that an important part of the meeting with President Mattarella was devoted to the Arbëresh people, for which I assure you he had tremendous respect, and we want to develop joint projects in the interest of Arbëresh residents. In today’s conditions, we must do even more, so that the Albanian language, the unique religious traditions, are preserved and passed down to future generations”.
The Head of State thanked the authorities of the Abruzzo region for the help they have always given to the Albanian diaspora to integrate into Italian society.
“Practically, more than half a million Albanians live in Italy, who are part of the Italian society, very well integrated in this society,” said President Begaj.
The Arbëresh, as well as the Albanians who came after the 90s, have never been endangered by the assimilation of their language or their traditions. President expressed his joy that already there are elected Albanians in the municipal councils, and that an Albanian school was opened for the first time in Peskara.
President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, also visited the city of Chieti, where he was received by the local authorities, including the Mayor of Chieti, Diego Ferrara, the President of the Province of Chieti, Francesco Menna, the Prefect of Chieti, Mario Della Cioppa, etc.
In his speech during the meeting, President Begaj expressed his gratitude for the support given to Albanians to integrate in Italy, but also for the help given to Albania in the integration processes.
He also noted the help of the hospital center of Kieti and the Province of Kieti, in the treatment of Albanian children and patients, especially in the hematology department.
At the end of his meetings, the President requested that the old and new Albanian community in Italy, as well as the Italian community in Albania, continue to be a strong connecting bridge between Albania and Italy.
