11 July 2019 President Meta: The only solution for the country to come out of this deep crisis of representation and legitimacy is only to respect the right of free and direct vote of all Albanian citizens, and for all of us to accept their final verdict.
July 11th, 2019
The President of the Republic, H.E. Ilir Meta received today and hosted a heartfelt meeting with the delegation of the American Jewish Committee, headquartered in New York, headed by its Executive Director, Mr. David Harris.
President Meta informed the official delegation of the AJC on the current situation in Albania, about the serious constitutional and institutional crisis that has involved our country, as well as on his proposal as the President of the Republic to hold three kinds of elections on October 13, 2019: local, parliamentary, and presidential ones, voted by the Albanian people.
“The only solution for the country to come out of this deep crisis of representation and legitimacy is only to respect the right of free and direct vote of all Albanian citizens, and for all of us to accept their final verdict,” said the Head of State.
President Meta also assured Mr. Harris and the accompanying delegation that the friendship between the Albanians and the Jewish-American community will continue to be strengthened, and that the economic collaboration should be further intensified.
On his behalf, Mr. Harris emphasized that: “The traditional friendship between Albania and the Jewish nation is embedded in our national memory not only for the noble role of Albanians in the rescuing, protection and sheltering of Jews during World War II, but also for our similar histories as two peoples who have suffered over the centuries for their existence”.
“We come here with a sense of permanent gratitude for the Albanian people, and we will be eternally together to face the challenges in the future as well. We are also ready to offer our support in increasing the role of the Albanian diaspora in the US in order to influence the Albanian cause in the American politics and administration, “said the Executive Director of AJC.