It is a pleasure to be here together to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty, King Charles III. Welcome to the celebration of His Majesty, King Charles III. It has been three years since I have been here in Albania, so I would like to share with you some personal reflections and some thoughts for the future. It has been a privilege to know each of you. You are all making an important contribution to Albania. I am clear that this country has great potential. And precisely because of this, I am clear that this country will achieve even greater things in the future.

As British Ambassador, I set out to forge the strongest possible relationship between the United Kingdom and Albania. As the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, said when he visited Albania last month, we already have a broad and thriving partnership. A partnership for security. A partnership for defence. A partnership for economic development and trade. A partnership for justice. And this has been made possible by our friendship and your hard work.

Now, other countries want to learn from Albania and the United Kingdom. The way we created a bilateral partnership that is delivering so much, so quickly. Last year I called on you to do what we can to dissuade young people from ruining their lives by travelling illegally to the United Kingdom.

Today, I want to thank you for what we have achieved together to change this, so that this year we can celebrate the positive and growing ties between our peoples and countries.

Tourism from the UK is doubling – we could reach almost half a million British visitors by the end of this year.

And I’m not surprised – this country has such unique landscapes and nature and such warm and welcoming people throughout the country. I have enjoyed traveling and visiting every part of Albania more than anything.

Undoubtedly, this month, we have many connections that also have to do with sports. I wish Albania the best of success in the European football tournament.
You already made the history of the tournament with the fantastic goal in the first 23 seconds of the match against the defending champions Italy and another goal in the last five minutes against Croatia.

I would suggest that we show our appreciation for the Albanian National Team and show our support for the rest of the tournament! England are playing Denmark right now, so we – if we are lucky – will be celebrating their victory tonight! Among our four countries, Scotland is also participating. As you can tell from the kilt I am wearing, I am half Scottish, so I am particularly pleased to welcome the Scots Guards, as our British military band, this evening.

On Friday, I was in Kukës and next week I will be in Shkodra, to see how our investments in the north have created jobs and trained young people.

Giving them a chance to live, study, work and raise their families here.

It is truly inspiring to hear their dreams for the future, if only to help make them a reality. Please continue to join forces with us to make these initiatives successful.

The United Kingdom is a committed partner for the economic development of Albania.

In the international arena, we welcome how Albania continues to be one of our strongest allies in NATO, in support of Ukraine and in the attitude towards Russia in the United Nations.

This courage is greatly appreciated. We will continue to support you, both in terms of security and economic.

We will help you foster regional connections and invest in railways and infrastructure, so that you and everyone, throughout the Western Balkans, can easily travel, trade and do business with each other.

We will support our excellent border security cooperation, strengthen your cyber defenses and carry out more joint operations between our police forces, prosecutors and intelligence agencies to keep citizens safe.

But while there are also many external threats, Albania’s biggest challenge, as it continues on its Euro-Atlantic path, most likely comes from within.

In the coming years, Albania will only fulfill its full potential if you participate in a joint effort to eradicate corruption, strengthen your democratic institutions, and bring criminals to justice.

To all parliamentarians, officials, politicians and other partners, I am pleased this evening to see so many representatives of the judiciary, independent institutions and civil society gathered together.

The UK will always stand with you as you promote democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

One of my proudest achievements was seeing how quickly our British Chamber of Commerce has become a dynamic contributor to Albania’s future.

Not only helping us to continue the significant growth of bilateral trade and investment every year.

But guaranteeing scholarships for young people in the north to study in Albanian and British universities, partnering with us to guarantee employment opportunities and helping to set standards of integrity in business.

So, I would like to thank the sponsors of this evening: Cambridge Clinical Laboratories, Vodafone, Bechtel, Orbital, Elysium Construction, Astra Zeneca, BP Albania, AGNA Group, Lengo Group, and for the stunning decor of this evening, Geraldina Sposa and Hotel Rogner. Not only contributing to making this night’s celebrations so special, but for everything you and other members of the British Chamber of Commerce are doing to make a difference, for young people across Albania. You are an example to us all!

And my final word of thanks goes to my entire team at the British Embassy; without your unstinting dedication, none of these achievements would be possible.

It has been a privilege to spend the last three years here, working with you and seeing Albania grow to become one of the UK’s best international and operational partners. I hope this continues as long as possible!

I would like to conclude by raising a toast to His Majesty the King. His official birthday is the inspiration for this holiday and all those similar holidays taking place around the world.

Last week, His Majesty was again at the Horse Guards Parade in London, along with the Royal Family, being saluted by the British Army in the military parade, known as the ‘Trooping of the Colour’, as British monarchs have done every year since 1748.

As we celebrate to the sounds of the British Army Band and the amazing Scottish bagpiper. As we will dance to the inspiring sounds of Juliana Pasha, who will sing for us today as she did at Eurovision in 2010.

While we celebrate the wonderful connections between the two countries.

I wish you an unforgettable evening. Thank you for being with us!

Thank you all for your warm friendship throughout my term in Albania!

And I invite you to raise a toast to his Majesty, King Charles III.

For his Majesty, THE KING!

Speech by British Ambassador Alastair King-Smith on the birthday of King Charles III

(BalkanWeb)

© BalkansWeb