Prime Minister Edi Rama:

“Good morning! Actually I wanted to make an announcement, but I was told that you wanted to ask some questions and, since yesterday the first session of the Legislation was over, I think you are entitled to ask questions. So, let’s divide this into two parts.

The first part will be about the announcement. There will be a change, upon request of the Minister for the Relations with the Parliament who is leaving. In order not to interrupt the work of the Council of Ministers, not even for a second, Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi, with whom I have had the pleasure to work in the first 300 days of the government, will be replaced by a colleague whose qualities I admire, a MP of the Socialist Party, Ermonela Felaj who will be the new Minister for the Relations with the Parliament.

Now, I will leave the floor to Ilirjan, but first of all I would like to thank him from the heart for his dedication, the high moral and professional integrity with which he faced a new and not easy duty, a function specifically designed since the very beginning of the new government. I wish that his decision to leave, due to personal reasons, is the right decision and that the spare time he will have after leaving, is enough to fulfill his personal and family commitments. I remain hopeful that Ilirjan will be anyhow a member of our political family and for this reason we will never hesitate to ask for his quite special contribution, being he one of the most prominent lawyers of our country who has the necessary experience to assist us by looking at the work of the government from the outside, so that we will not make many mistakes, and he will not hesitate to express his critical views whenever we will risk of making a mistake.”

Ilirijan Celibashi:

“Good morning to every one!

It is not because of an occasional compromise, but I would like to say that the 300-day period of this government has been for me since the very beginning a very impressive experience, both human and professional. This experience will mark my professional career. The reason I am leaving is totally personal. I hope that by leaving I am not causing damage to anybody. First of all, to the public interest, because being a responsible citizen of this Republic, although this may sound to someone a misused and abused concept, I couldn’t allow myself to take this decision in another moment, and I think this is the most appropriate moment, in terms of what this government has achieved in these 300 days. This is not the moment to mention them, since I believe the Prime Minister will say something more on this, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Socialist Party, to its Leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama, for the recognition of my professional skills and values, but also as a person, and for making me a part of the commitment of this political majority.

It has been an honor and privilege for me to represent the Socialist Party in the Parliament of Albania, as it has been an honor and a privilege to be part of this government. I want to say without any hesitation that this decision of mine is not a sign of doubt on my part towards Edi Rama as Prime Minister and towards the cabinet of this government, on their seriousness and responsibility to fulfill the commitments taken towards the Albanian citizens, and to meet every political, social and economic objective. My experience as a State Minister for the Relations with the Parliament has been a positive one, both from the personal and the professional point of view. I would like to thank the Parliament of Albania for the close, open and honest collaboration I have had with this institution and all MPs, no one excluded, and without any political distinction. I can say it without hesitation that our relationship was based on a deep and mutual respect. I would like to bring this to your attention, but especially I want to express my appreciation for the close, open and very honest collaboration with the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, with the head of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Mr. Ruçi, and with all members of parliamentary committees. I take this opportunity also to thank the citizens of Fier who saw in me a representative, an upstanding one I believe, in the Parliament of Albania, but also a professional contributor in the Albanian Government. I am sorry if I have disappointed you with this decision. But being a minister implies to seriously commit in terms of time, and probably it is better this way, in order not to recede from the commitments taken in a precise moment towards citizens. The experience I had during the electoral campaign was very impressive from every point of view. Especially for the result achieved. I am not saying this only from a political point of view. It is a great satisfaction to enter a political competition and to come out as a winner. I am convinced that the participation in this electoral campaign gave me the opportunity to get in touch with many honored and respected people in the city of Fier, members and sympathizers of the Socialist Party. I take this opportunity to thank them and let them know that for me it has been an honor and privilege to work with them this during this period.

A very special thank you goes to all representatives of the media. I am sure that we share the same opinion on the fact that I have had a close, open and honest relationship with each and every one of you.

Thank you to my staff!

Thank you, also, to any other collaborator, representatives of various institutions in the country and abroad, who have closely collaborated with my cabinet, let’s say for a short time but a very intensive one if we consider the number of cases we have worked on.

A public thank you goes to my family. This may sound a bit American, but they really have been very supportive in all my public commitments. And I am pleased to say that they have never seen them as a privilege, but always as a sacrifice. I thank them for their understanding in every decision I have taken to publicly commit.

The active participation in politics, institutionally speaking, gives you the opportunity to give a direct contribution, but I didn’t need to be e minister to give this contribution for the public interest. So, as long as I can, I will continue to give my contribution to the society, in the interest of the common good.

I wish Ermonela success on her new duty as State Minister for Relations with the Parliament. It is not up to me to make considerations, since it is a decision of the Prime Minister, but let me say that this is a very good choice. I am pleased that somehow there will be continuity not only in the professional background, but also in what the office of the State Minister for the Relations with the Parliament has done so far.

Thank you and happy holidays!”

 

Ermonela Felaj:

“Good morning to every one!

I am allowed to be today very emotional, more than anybody else, but this will not prevent me from saying a few words to express my gratitude.

Thank you to Prime Minister Rama for choosing me, and I want to express him all my professional, moral and political commitment to measure up to this duty that really is a very new one in the Republic of Albania. At the same time, I thank Ilirjan for letting me know, during these few minutes, that I have his support.

I feel very good that I will succeed him as a State Minister for Relations with the Parliament, because Ilirjan and I are not only colleagues in the Parliament of Albania, but are also colleagues in the profession. I am glad that I will have the opportunity to gain such a precious and highly respected experience. I believe that in the coming days, words will leave the place to work.

Thank you!”