-Prime Minister Edi Rama’s message to Albanians on occasion of the New Year’s Eve 

 

The message I am sending tonight is not a traditional one, as this is the night for your families, friends and relatives, whereas I have been in your homes almost every day. 

I do profoundly apologize if I have been exaggerating and gone overboard, if I have spoken improperly, if I have erred.

Just like every year, I have done as much as I could, yet not everything I would have wished for. Should I have had the opportunity to do more; I wouldn’t have spared any efforts in doing so.

It has been an extremely tough year, with the war-driven inflation and crazy skyrocketing energy prices turning it into a very gloomy year throughout Europe.

However, there have been good days too, including historic days like the very first European football final or the EU-Western Balkans Summit held for the very first time outside the EU borders, without forgetting the long-awaiting and culminating moment of opening the EU accession negotiations. However, starting tonight I am not going to take even a single second and focus on the progress we have made this year.

I would take the next minute to read old passage from the Ecclesiastes that always amazes me and I feel privileged to share with you tonight:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”

May the New Year bring peace, a lot of love and laughter to you, your families, friends and relatives!

God bless Albania!