The Foreign Minister of Italy, Luigi Di Maio, brought together as a success story the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj and the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, who received praise for the management of Tirana and Athens during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor Veliaj and that of Athens Bakoyannis posted photos of this joint meeting with the Foreign Minister of Italy, Di Maio.

“It was a great pleasure to join Minister Luigi Di Maio and Senator Luciano D’Alfonso, together with my friend, the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis. Both cities were praised for responding promptly during the crisis. I am happy that our neighbors are investing in the cities!”, writes Veliaj.

During the pandemic period, the municipality of Tirana took the necessary measures not only to contain the virus, but also to support the community and provide all the essential services at maximum capacity. Through the staff of the local governments and neighborhoods in its territory, assistance was provided to families, offering food packages for families in economic difficulties, home -based services and the purchase of food or medicine, according to the request, including the initiative “Adopt a grandparent.”

Meanwhile, through the City Council of Tirana, a series of fiscal incentives were also introduced for businesses operating in the capital so that they could continue their economic activity, despite the setbacks.
/sm/