The statue of “Queen Geraldine” is inaugurated on “Zogu I” Boulevard; Veliaj: “The relationship between Albania and Hungary is special; “Bridges between people are unbreakable.”

“We had a very intense year: Initially we placed the statue of Skanderbeg in the main square and park of Budapest, and today we inaugurate the statue of the Queen Mother on the main Boulevard of Tirana. There is no better way to express this connection between the two states. There is a special relationship between Albania and Hungary. The respective municipalities also do their job: we have an excellent relationship with the municipality of Budapest, but the relationship between people is the best. The relationship that people have developed, starting from Janos Hunyadi with Skanderbeg, and our King Zog with Queen Geraldine, shows that the bridges that connect the people are unbreakable “, Veliaj affirmed.

The Hungarian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Security Policy, Péter Sztáray, who arrived in Tirana specifically for this inauguration, spoke about the excellent relations between Albania and Hungary over the years.

“We are very honored and very happy to be here today. We Hungarians greatly appreciate this friendship that has existed for a long time with the Albanian people. “Our history, through the centuries, has shown that we are together and we have always had a good spirit of cooperation from Skanderbeg and Janos Hunyadi until today”, underlined the Hungarian Deputy Minister, Peter Sztáray.

Prince Leka Zogu said that this work of art will adorn one of the central arteries of the capital. “Mr. Ambassador and Mr. Mayor, thanks to your work and perseverance, history will remember you as true artisans of peace and brotherhood between our nations. Special thanks to the members of the Municipal Council of Tirana, who have selected this square in the middle of the Boulevard “Zogu I”, as the place of erection of the statue of Queen Geraldine, they have fulfilled a legacy that comes from history and have pointed the finger at the aspiration of the Albanian people for national reconciliation “, said Prince Leka.

The inauguration ceremony of the statue of Queen Geraldine is a collaboration of the Municipality of Tirana with the Hungarian Embassy. The statue was made by the sculptor Sandor Kligl and is a donation of the Hungarian Embassy to the city of Tirana.