After Leaving Ministerial Post, Fatmir Limani: My Commitment Does Not Stop

Fatmir Limani, who after the government reshuffle is leaving the leadership of the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, has publicly reacted, saying that his dedication to citizens will continue even outside the office of minister, TV21 reports.

In his long statement titled “The Mission Continues,” Limani stressed that public functions are temporary, while responsibility toward citizens and young people remains unchanged. He also mentioned some of the results that, according to him, were achieved during his mandate, such as employment in institutions under the ministry, increases in pensions and salaries for certain categories, legal changes for child protection, and investments for the construction and expansion of kindergartens.

Limani also declared that while carrying out his duties he faced obstacles and political attacks, but underlined that this will not stop him on his path. In the end, he thanked his collaborators for their contribution and expressed confidence that he will continue working for young people and citizens in the future as well.

Limani’s full text:

THE MISSION CONTINUES

A decision may define a function, but the obligation to the people stems from the character formed from the day of birth and continues without interruption…

Politics is an arena where clashes happen even within seconds, while deeds remain engraved forever in the memory of those who follow you and expect things from you.

A position is not inherited wealth left by parents, but a duty and service that ends at an indefinite time.

The ministry is the place where different officials come and go, and they are distinguished by whether they are personal beneficiaries or servants of the collective interest.

I have always chosen to work in the service of the people and the homeland, because that gives me eternity.

My personal path has been one of sacrifice and unceasing work, and this is exactly what has made me ready to serve with dedication, not to be afraid of difficulties, but to turn them into victories.

I have been fought against and am still being fought against, especially by some of those whom I once supported and raised with all my strength, because I have always believed that politics should be built on cooperation and mutual morality.

But these trials are also part of the journey.

The value of a person’s character and work is not measured by applause, but above all by the way he rises when the “resourceful ones” challenge him, for the sole reason that they do not have his character.

Every day I have worked while challenging myself as well, in order to achieve results that would make young people and families more independent and economically stronger.

On this occasion I want to share some of the achievements, always accomplished together with my cabinet staff and my collaborators, who are incomparable to others, in the best sense of the word;

• We have carried out more than 1,300 employments, of which more than 400 are Albanians, only in the institutions that fall under the competence of the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, and this number continues to grow.

● We secured job decisions for educators and caregivers in kindergartens; Skopje over 50, Tetovo over 50, Haraçinë over 30, Likovë over 20, Gostivar over 30, Kërçovë over 20, Struga over 20…, Prilep, Bitola…

• Numerous promotions to leadership positions were carried out, and only in the Ministry we promoted 10 employees to the position of State Adviser, 6 of them Albanians.

• We enabled the employment of more than 10 Albanian professionals in the World Bank unit.

• We drafted and amended the law on child protection, making it possible for the exam for licensing directors, educators, caregivers, workers and professional associates in kindergartens to be taken in the Albanian language, while the license is also issued in the Albanian language.

• Pensions have increased by 7,000 denars, and the increase will continue in the year we have the fortune to live in…

• For the first time in 40 years, salaries for more than 1,000 employees in the Centers for Social Work have increased by 20%.

• Employees in the Ministry were not left out either, as their salaries were increased by up to 21%.

• We are on the verge of starting the construction of new kindergartens in Zhelinë, Çellopek-Brvenicë and Hasanbeg-Gazi Babë, kindergartens requested for years by Albanian residents, which have finally entered the capital investment program.

• For the kindergartens in Zajas, Studeniçan, Çashkë and Dollnen, intensive work has been done to secure the necessary documentation so they can be included in the Ministry’s capital investment program.

• In Struga, Çair and many other municipalities, the replacement of old kindergartens with new facilities has been considered.

• In almost every municipality, work continues on the construction of kindergartens, such as in Karposh, Butel, Gjorçe Petrov, Bitola and others, reducing the waiting list for more than 1,500 children.

• Recently, with the signing of contracts with 11 municipalities, including Gostivar and Bogovinë, adapted spaces for childcare are being created in primary schools, reducing the waiting list by around 400 more children.

• There are many other achievements as well, including reforms in the pension system, child protection and social protection….

The marathon runner knows well that stops serve only to quench thirst and gain strength for the next stage.

Based on this, everyone must understand that no one will succeed in dictating to me, ordering me or forcing me to choose who my collaborators will be on the path toward the goal that remains the same: work to the point of self-sacrifice so that youth remain in their homeland.

In life, as in politics, there are moments when one thinks a chapter has ended, but it is forgotten that for the dedicated, that is exactly where a new chapter begins.

Politics is not a desired ladder of comfort, but a challenge to do more and better for all those who have trusted us and expect from us.

Dedication and obligation to the youth, to the citizens and to those who for years have been forgotten, sidelined and trampled by the old and new “caste” will never end.

Gratitude to everyone who helped achieve these shared successes, and may we meet again in new victories!

We continue happily with the work begun and successfully completed…