The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, received his counterpart, the mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, in a meeting today. Giving him the Clock Tower of Tirana, Veliaj described Moreiran as a great friend of Tirana and Albania, underlining the importance of cooperation for a joint team between the two municipalities.
"It is an extraordinary pleasure that a very great friend of Tirana and Albania, Rui Moreira, the most exemplary president in Europe today for the transformation he has made to the city of Porto, is here with us. What a beautiful coincidence because today Portugal is also playing, so we will see both Ronaldo and Portugal together on the field. But, above all, we want to build teams that are beyond a monthly championship, that is, two teams between our municipalities. Tirana will be the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue next year, so our great hope is that from this collaboration started with the city of Porto, we will learn more about tourism, the sustainable management of cities for public transport, for the injection of art and culture, as a way to stimulate the economy. I really hope that with the cooperation we will have for the initiative of the Mediterranean dialogue and Tirana as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture, we will make some connections between the European cities of the Northern Mediterranean and the city of the Southern Mediterranean", said Veliaj.
He said that a large part of the tourists who visit Tirana are from Portugal, calling this an indicator of the friendship between the two countries.
"Today we are really very enthusiastic that, with this tourism boom that Tirana has had, a part of the tourists come from Portugal, maybe because they have seen it all, live in a blessed country and want to explore this side of The Mediterranean, once forbidden and hermetic for tourists. I am really happy when I hear Portuguese in the streets of Tirana. I very much hope that even from the friendship of our countries, these numbers will continue to grow. Countries that do economy together, that do trade together, that play sports together that exchange tourists, are countries that always live in peace", added Veliaj.
For his part, the mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, praised the work done in Tirana, describing it as a modern city that offers services that are not common even in large European cities.
"It is a great pleasure for me to be in Tirana. We have known each other for some time and I have followed the success of Albania and Tirana. Everyone follows your work because you have managed to modernize your country, your city. When I see electric taxis, believe me, it's not common in Europe. Big cities don't have them. When I see your infrastructure, but especially when I see the cranes… when you go to another city and see the cranes, sometimes people get upset, but they show that the city is changing. Of course, we have many things we can collaborate on. We are countries that are traditionally surrounded by big neighbors. You have great neighbors, we have great neighbors. This means that we have always struggled to achieve success. This is the history of Albania, but it is also the history of Portugal. Another thing I would like to dwell on is the fact that next year you will be the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. It motivates us to promote you, even with the help of other cities. Congratulations for everything you have done in the city", he declared.
