I feel honored being elected at the highest office of the Albanian state and privileged being able to speak for and act on behalf of my people. Naturally I would know how to justify this privilege so I could give everything from my experience and place myself at the service of my country.
For quite a few years I have been an active protagonist of a certain political party, but now I do not even have the right anymore to think like that. From now on I must think as the President of the Republic and act at the necessary level of responsibility required by this office.
While thanking all those who believed in me, I would like to give the assurance that regardless of my political experience I will work with all my energies to be the President of all the Albanians using as foundations the honesty, civil values and transparency through which I have been bred and which have accompanied me throughout my whole life.
The state Constitution and laws will remain my sole reference points. Having it crystal clear that the political reality offered by the country necessarily requires emancipation I would be the guarantor of the correct institutional relation demanded by the opposition and the guardian of the constitutional observation of the laws by the ruling majority.
Albania is already on the right path towards integration into the great European family and closer to the integration in the Euro-Atlantic one. In order to safely move along this path, we all ought to be conscious about the reforms we must undertake – naturally not unilaterally, neither by using boycotts nor pressure, but through a constructive and loyal collaboration.
The Albanians expect from politics to improve their lives, to feel safer and more integrated and it is the obligation of all to fulfill these aspirations.
We have no more time to waste, but we must progress and keep the same pace with the European Union and NATO steps. The political crisis prolong this path and no doubt have an impact on the future of Kosova as well, which is closer to the final and much anticipated act of independence as a process which would demonstrate the will of the Kosovar people to build an independent and democratic state that respects the minorities and is worthy of being part of the European family.
The values and interests that unite us are far greater than those that divide us. Let us work together to take forward the reforms while upholding the Constitution and the independence of institutions to the benefit of our homeland.
I would like to assure our partners and all the friendly countries about our determination to face the challenges of the reforms in order to give a real and quick impetus to the processes of democratic consolidation, building of the Rule of Law, regional collaboration and Euro-Atlantic integration.
God bless Albania and the Albanians!
Thank you!
THE ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT TOPI AT THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Palace of Brigades, July 24th, 2007
