TIRANA, November 27 – President Bajram Begaj met today with a group of Diaspora activists from eleven U.S. states, representatives of the organisations Germin and the Global Albanians Foundation.

The meeting took place ahead of the Independence Holidays and highlighted the President’s focus on strengthening ties with the Diaspora. Begaj shared impressions from his encounters with Albanians abroad during official visits and underlined their joint efforts to preserve language, identity and links with their origins.

He reaffirmed his view that the Diaspora stands as a key pillar of the Albanian nation in politics, culture, the economy and identity. Begaj also reviewed the results of the OriginAL programme, which aims to connect young people of the Diaspora with their homeland. He said youth represent the next chapter in Albania–Diaspora relations.

Begaj welcomed every contribution from Albanians abroad and described them as a source of positive energy, expertise and opportunities for development. He thanked the participants for their support after the 2019 earthquake and during the pandemic, and praised their donations to non-profit groups in Albania, Kosova and other areas of the region where Albanians live.

He encouraged the activists to maintain contact with each other, to exchange visits and to contribute in ways they can.

/a.p./