Speech of Minister Kodheli at the opening of the new Anti-fascist NLW pavilion at the Armed Forces Museum

: Published: Friday, 21 November 2014 13:07

Dear participants,

In the framework of the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the country and in honour of the Albanian nation’s patriotic war against the Nazi-fascist invader, we open today this National Liberation War (NLW) pavilion. Albania was among the first countries involved in WWII, the bloodiest war in human history.

Albania’s alignment, in the victorious block in this war, was primarily the merit of the Albanian people’s wisdom and the only proper way to ensure the existence of the Albanian nation, which throughout its secular history has been characterized by the desire to live free in its land. This Albanians’ titanic war was recognized and found the support of our bigger allies, and mainly of the United Kingdom, whose missionaries fought side by side with the partisans and fighters of freedom.

As the years go by, the more the National Liberation War that the Albanians did against the wildest beast of peoples’ freedom and mankind, fascism, is exalted. In this resistance of life or death, the youth, intellectuals, Albanian women, communists and nationalists stood up. This union was proved in the Peza Conference, which became the symbol of a platform for unity of all Albanians, regardless of religion, region, idea in the National Liberation War.

From the early resistance against the fascist occupation, the resistance gradually increased with the creation of fighting units, battalions, brigades, divisions, and on the eve of liberation of the country, of the army corps turning gradually into the regular Albanian National Liberation Army. With its countless actions, battles, operations, this army liberated one after the other Albanian cities and villages and to come at the decisive battle for the liberation of the capital, where alongside the fighters of freedom in every barricade was the support of the people of Tirana. This war continued with the pursuit of the invader, until the last city of the country was liberated, Shkodra.

The National Liberation War, alongside the great anti-fascist coalition, sealed once and forever the independence of the Albanian State within the borders of 1913. Albania’s contribution to WWII was a valuable contribution to freedom and peace in the world, and gives to the Albanians the legitimacy to be proud alongside other civilized nations that fought for freedom. It is deeply implanted in our national consciousness as a symbol of unparalleled resistance for our national existence.

The deviation from the democratic ideals and aspirations for which the Albanian nation fought during the National Liberation War, made by the totalitarian regime during the Cold War, separated temporarily Albania from his victorious allies of WWII, and to finding itself on their side after the year 1990.

Albania today is truly a valued member of NATO and has already deserved the status of candidate country for the great European family. The Albanian Armed Forces, as the predecessor and successor of the best values of the National Liberation Army, have given and are contributing seriously to peace and stability in different countries of the world, alongside allied forces of NATO.

The Albanian Government program aims to modernize the Armed Forces, to ensure best operational capacity to fulfil their mission for national security and sovereignty, but also as a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The opening of the pavilion is not simply the evidence of one of the most brilliant periods of our national history, but firstly, it is an assessment of the sacrifices and shed blood of the best sons and daughters of our people for Albania’s freedom and prosperity.

It is a patriotic obligation the knowledge and respect of our people’s sacrifices, of its history from the Armed Forces personnel and from the younger generation.

Thank you!