Statue of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg inaugurated in Budapest

A bust of 15th century Albanian national hero Skanderbeg was inaugurated in Budapest’s City Park on Monday.

The bust gifted by Tirana to Budapest was inaugurated by the mayors of the two cities, Erion Veliaj and Gergely Karácsony, near the Vajdahunyad Castle.

Addressing the ceremony, Albanian President Ilir Meta called the inauguration of the 15th century commander’s statue “in the heart of Budapest and Europe” a “historic moment”.

“No historical figure is a greater embodiment of the friendship between our two peoples,” Meta said.

The president thanked Hungary for its support of Albania’s aspirations to join the European Union and for its assistance following the 2019 earthquake and during the coronavirus pandemic. Meta said he was convinced that Hungary and Albania would continue to strengthen their friendship in the future.

In his speech, Karácsony thanked Tirana for the statue, saying that it represented the strong relationship between the two capitals.