TIRANA, September 7/ATA/ At the Campus of the College of Europe in Tirana, there was held the welcoming ceremony of 32 students from 21 different European countries. They will study in the Albanian capital during the academic year 2024-25.

Attending the inauguration event of the College Campus at the “Liria” building in the Student’s Town was the EU ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, Rector of the College of Europe Federica Mogherini and Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Veliaj announced that the Municipality of Tirana, in addition to contributing for creating comfortable conditions for the students, has contributed with three scholarships for three excellent young Albanians.

“We are increasingly referring to the 21st century as the century of cities. So people say ‘College of Tirana’, no longer ‘College in the Republic of Albania’, he said.

Veliaj took the opportunity to call on the students to be part of the cultural activities that will take place in Tirana next year, when the Albanian capital holds the title of Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue.

On his part, Ambassador of the European Union in Tirana Silvio Gonzato said that Albania is part of Europe.

“There is not only a new academic reality in Tirana. Our slogan should be ‘The European Union is here’, since Europe is already here, because Albania is Europe”, said Gonzato.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu emphasized that the opening of the College in Tirana places Albania on the map of countries that offer high educational standards.