2 June 2022 Speech of the President of the Republic, H.E. Ilir Meta at the state farewell ceremony in honor of the former President, Bujar Nishani
Dear Odeta, Ersi, Fiona, family members of President Nishani;
Honorable Speaker of the Assembly, Mrs. Lindita Nikolla;
Honorable President of the Republic of Kosova, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani;
Distinguished former Presidents;
Honorable former Speakers of the Assembly and former Prime Ministers of the Republic of Albania and Kosova;
Honorable former President of Montenegro, Mr. Filip Vujanoviç;
Distinguished political leaders, from Albania, Kosova, North Macedonia, Montenegro and all who have honored us today, in this ceremony;
Honorable ministers, MPs and representatives of institutions;
Honorable representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Tirana;
Dear friends, collaborators, and benefactors of President Nishani;
Thank you all for your presence today, to honor and say farewell to the former President of the Republic, Bujar Nishani.
The sudden and premature passing, leave lots of regrets for lost opportunities, for what was not said and for what was not be done.
Thus, the pain of the untimely loss of dear and rare people makes it difficult to find words that can heal these human wounds.
But we are comforted by the fact that Bujar Nishani had a life full of accomplishments and fortunate experiences.
He was surrounded by the love of his parents, and what he later created together with Odeta as a devout husband, and the exemplary father of two wonderful children, Ersi and Fiona.
For President Bujar Nishani, these days there have been highly deserved assessments from many personalities of political and public life in Albania and beyond.
Collaborators, friends, benefactors, counterparts, and colleagues from across the political spectrum have spoken about him.
Albanians have spoken, and the friends of Albania have also spoken.
Coming to politics from the Armed Forces, President Nishani brought the best virtues of our military in the political and institutional life of the country. He embodied integrity, high sense of duty and patriotism.
Bujar Nishani saw politics as the art of the possible, and believed that it was the most effective instrument to bring about positive change.
Bujar Nishani believed in democracy and the rule of law! This conviction was best demonstrated in the management of very important ministries, such as Interior Affairs and Justice.
President Nishani spoke wisely!
Known for his prudence and self-control, he was valued for his simplicity and humility in public and human communication, traits that remained unchanged throughout his life.
He will be remembered for his calmness, strength of argument, and loyalty to the principles and values he believed in.
As Head of State, Bujar Nishani worked with rare dedication in defense of the Constitution.
He was determined and committed to building the rule of law, and to guaranteeing the fundamental rights and freedoms of our citizens.
He worked to strengthen the spirit of tolerance and religious coexistence in the country, and in any case dedicated himself to the interests of Albania and our nation.
Bujar Nishani believed until the end in democracy, the public good and especially the national interest.
As President elected on the 100th anniversary of the Albanian state, he embodied these principles by imposing respect on all colleagues and foreign statesmen, on his associates, but also on political opponents.
Bujar Nishani nurtured a special love for Kosova, which he showed with full pride and strongly supported the international recognition of the state of Kosova in the service of stability and security in the Western Balkans.
President Nishani had an excellent cooperation with the entire Albanian political factor in the region.
He knew how to establish and maintain very well the balances between institutional and fraternal relations.
President Nishani worked with dedication for the strategic projects of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Albania, for the strengthening of the strategic partnership with the United States of America and the European Union, for the comprehensive cooperation with all the countries of the region and with other friendly countries in the world.
He worthily represented Albania and Albanians in the international arena, always defending the truths and priorities that served the public and national interest.
Today, on the day of farewell, we thank President Nishani, for the model he brought as an exemplary statesman, politician, family man and citizen.
May the memory of President Bujar Nishani be unforgettable!
