TIRANA, December 8 – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, marked the National Youth Day today. She said young people remain a key force in Albania’s path to the European Union.

She said this day shows the passion of Albanian youth for this goal.

Spiropali recalled the call “We want Albania like all of Europe.” She described it as the core idea of Albania’s modern history. She said the country has deep European roots but lived for decades under a forced separation from Europe.

She added that Albania now moves faster and with more confidence toward full EU membership. She said young people must take an active role. They must insist, participate and contribute to a democratic, merit-based, open and competitive Albania. She also highlighted innovation, justice and equal opportunities.

In 2009, the Albanian Parliament declared the 8th of December as the National Youth Day. The date honors the students of December 1990 and the entire Albanian youth.

On the 8th of December 1990, a group of students and lecturers from Tirana’s universities began peaceful protests. Those protests brought down the communist system and opened the way to democracy.

/a.p./