Veliaj also broke the good news for families in need, saying that the launch of a social card for the elderly is part of the social welfare initiative to shield the vulnerable from the crisis.

According to Veliaj, these are the most vulnerable strata of society, who need the “helping hand” of the government and the municipality.

“After the student card, the time has come to launch a social card for the elderly. The helping hand of the government and the municipality in this case is more efficient when it intervenes to shield the most vulnerable categories of society, such as students and the elderly. We are working on a package for the elderly: that is, free public transport, or even some services such as canteens, theater, opera, museums, which can be provided at discounted prices for this age group, which feels the repercussions of the crisis more than others”, said Veliaj.

Asked what he suggests the young people to study, Veliaj said that they need to look to the future.

“As long as we are addressing the right topics and not dealing with ‘who are you’, whose are you’ or ‘where do you come from’, even though there are still senseless debates like ‘I am not a newcomer in Tirana’ ‘, what does it mean that I am not a new comer Tirana? In Tirana everyone has come from somewhere, the city of 10 thousand people has grown to over 1 million. This city is destined to host people from everywhere. Even the autochthonous population have benefited from the growth of the city, because an apartment building has been constructed on the site of their grandfather’s mudbrick house and they have benefited 30% of their property.

Development is good for those who settle in Tirana and for those who live here because their property increases in value.”

Veliaj appealed for the support of young people to carry out more better works in the city.
“We will continue to support students, not only with free transportation. Today there are hundreds of boarders, for whom we have cut by half the cost of accommodation. This is a year like no other, when all prices have increased due to the war, energy has become one of the biggest problems. Therefore, in critical times like this or like the earthquake and the pandemic, we must take care of those who need it the most,” he added.
The mayor said that the Pyramid of Tirana will open this spring, to welcome 4-5 thousand children and young people, who will develop technology skills.
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