Albanian climbers hoists national flag atop Everest

TIRANA, May 30 – An Albanian team of climbers has become the first to raise the national flag on the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest. In a statement, the team including climbers of the Dajti Mountain-Tourist Association, announced they reached the mountain’s summit on May 25.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha congratulated Albanian mountaineers on climbing Mount Everest and waving the Albanian flag at the highest peak in the world.
“This is an achievement not only for sport, but for Albania as well. It’s the most beautiful present that the world of sport gives to Albania on its 100-th anniversary of independence”, said PM Berisha.
The Albanian climbers had already climbed the Mont Blanc and Kilimanajaro summits before deciding to take the risk of climbing the world’s highest peak at 8,848 metres above the sea level located in the Himalayas on the Nepal-China (Tibet) border.
Albanian Everest Expedition Team members Gjergji Bojaxhi, 38, Xhimi Begeja, 47, Gerti Pishtari,25, Fation Plaku, 36, Erlin Rudho, 23, and Etheo Begeja,18, the youngest in team climbed the Everest Top with the support of Mountain Monarch team of sherpas. The