A delegation headed by the president of the Abruzzo Region in Italy, Luciano D�Alfonso, visited Tirana with a dense agenda. Firstly, Mr D�Alfonso was at the Bektashi World Center for a visit to the Holy See of the Bektashi, where he was welcomed by Secretary General Syrja Xhelaj and other representatives. Later he met with director of Intesa San Paolo - Bank Albania, Silvio Pedrazzi. President D�Alfonso and the Ambassador of Italy to Tirana, Mr Alberto Cutillo met with the President of Tirana Region, Aldrin Dalipi. Another meeting was that with State Minister for Protection of Entrepreneurship, Mrs Sonila Qato. The busy carnet of appointments continued at Tirana Municipality where the Italian guest met with Mayor Erion Veliaj. The Mayor underlined D'Alfonso's important role for encouraging entrepreneurs from Abruzzo and Italy to invest in our country. The meeting also highlighted the intensive and inspirational cooperation between Tirana and Peskara, as Veliaj appreciated the unremitting efforts of the President of the Abruzzo Region to promote Tirana. On this occasion D'Alfonso received a special civic honor: the Key of the City. Finally, after a visit to the city of Tirana and Scanderbeg Square, President D'Alfonso ended the day with a visit to BunkArt Museum. Albanian Daily news had the opportunity to exchange a few words with President D�Alfonso.
-Mr. President, could you tell us something more concrete about your agenda in Tirana?
-I came with the vivid and strong interest in realizing a close cooperation with the city and the region of Tirana, we as the region of Abruzzo and the city of Peskara in particular. First, I must say I really believe in the special role of Albania within the chessboard of this new Europe we are all working for. We have put into effect an airline between Abruzzo and Albania, putting into operation a Peskara-Tirana line. Proud to say, this was my personal commitment with PM Edi Rama over 30 months ago. On the other hand, I am also here in the vests of vice president of the Association of Adriatic-Ionian Euro-Regions, to push forward for the realisation of road infrastructure between Tirana and Dubrovnik, over 200 kilometers, with the help of an investment from ANAS International and the Italian government. Of course, my engagement in these projects has nothing to do with �a local road� that finishes within the �Albanian-Croatian walls�. On the contrary, these kind of modern infrastructures become part of the Adriatic-Ionian Euro-region. You obviously need this highway, while we need to extend the fast railway infrastructure from Ancona to Bari. You see, this triangle of the Adriatic-Ionian Euro-region needs maritime, air, rail and road connections. So everyone benefits.
-You also had a meeting with the Mayor of Tirana...
I am very pleased with this journey towards progress made by the Municipality of Tirana, which also carries a stamp of urban modernization. And for this I have expressed my willingness to cooperate with Tirana on the new techniques of management of goods and services of public administration; just to give an example, how to unify the public administration's procurements and the offers in one purchase. It would bring savings of over 35% if a single purchase was made for all municipalities covering a particular territory. That's what we are doing in Italy and Abruzzo in particular.

-In what directions do you see further collaboration opportunities?
- I have expressed my readiness, even through the advice of Intesa San Paolo Bank here, to bring to Tirana the experience of the formation of young chefs, which is an educational success in Abruzzo. We have high and higher schools that produce well prepared cooks and hotel managers. This would add value to the already focused tourism of your country, even more so because I know there are many of our entrepreneurs who would like to invest here.
Further on, I agreed with the Minister for Protection of Entrepreneurship, Mrs Qato, with Mayor Veliaj, with the head of Tirana Region Mr Dalipi, but also with the Italian Ambassador, to create the conditions for a large group of Abruzzo businessmen who have already expressed their interest, to expand their activity in Albania. Consequently, I am very pleased to be able to serve as a guide not only for the "delocalization" of Abruzzo but for international cooperation between the regions, which have much to benefit from each other, each for their own needs.

- "Strong and gentle" is the famous definition of author Primo Levi for Abruzzo and its people; which are your impressions about the Albanians?
It is the fourth time I come to Albania. I have to say that I have a personal relationship with Edi Rama, I've been with him three times here and he has been as many times in my house. I'll be back in October to meet him again, along with a group of economic operators. I have undertaken commitments that I have respected, I want to take on new commitments, even with the Mayor of Tirana whom I appreciate very much and wish him further success on his way.
I have to say, I Albanians as a people are in my heart. Because I've been witnessing all this time how they have been able to put the nation and their country on the right track through so much suffering.

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