Bamir Topi

Infobox President
name = Bamir Myrteza Topi

---

order = President of Albania
primeminister = Sali Berisha
term_start = 24 July 2007
term_end =
predecessor = Alfred Moisiu
successor =
birth_date = birth date and age|1957|04|24|df=y
birth_place = Tirana, Albania
death_date =
spouse = Teuta Topi
party = Independent
profession = Biologist
religion = Prof. Dr. Bamir Myrteza Topi Audio|Bamir Topi.ogg|listen (born April 24, 1957 in Tirana [http://www.president.al/english/pub/presidenti.asp CV at Albanian presidency website] .] ) is the President of the Republic of Albania, a post he took on July 24, 2007.

Early life and public activities

He graduated in veterinary studies and earned a PHD degree in the same field. He was the head of the Institute for Veterinary Studies in Tirana. He was elected to three mandates in the Assembly of Albania as a candidate of Democratic Party of Albania; he was first elected in 1996. In two terms Bamir Topi led the Parliamentary Group of Democratic Party in the Assembly. He has been elected vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, which is led by Sali Berisha. Topi served as Minister of Agriculture and Food from 1996 to 1997. He also holds the title of Honorary President of KF Tirana.

President of Albania

On 8 March 2007 Bamir Topi said that he would be the candidate of the ruling Democratic Party in that year's presidential election. Both the Christian Democratic and Republican parties said that they would probably support him. [ [http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/newsbriefs/2007/03/09/nb-10 "Bamir Topi said he will be ruling party's presidential candidate"] , "Southeast European Times", March 9, 2007.]

On a vote held on 8 July, Topi won 75 votes in parliament; this was not enough to be elected president, as at least 84 votes are required. The opposition, led by the Socialist Party, boycotted the vote. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/09/europe/EU-POL-Albania-Presidential-Election.php "Albania edges toward elections after presidential vote fails"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), July 9, 2007.] The second round of voting for electing the president was held on July 10. The parliament still failed to elect a president; this time Topi received 74 votes. [ [http://www.birn.eu.com/en/92/15/3556/ "Standoff in Parliamentary Ballot to Pick New Albanian President"] , birn.eu.com, July 11, 2007.] On July 14, another vote was held; this time Topi won only 50 votes, while Neritan Ceka of the Democratic Alliance Party won 32. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/14/europe/EU-POL-Albania-Presidential-Election.php "Albania opposition boycott prevents election of new president in 3rd round"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), July 14, 2007.]

On 20 July, in the fourth round of voting, Bamir Topi was supported by some members of the opposition and won 85 votes, thus being elected as the President of the Republic of Albania for a 5 year term. He was sworn in on July 24. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/24/europe/EU-POL-Albania-New-President.php "Albania's new president Bamir Topi sworn in"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), July 24, 2007.]

Bamir Topi officially resigned his position as vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania and at the same time withdrew from his party. He is considered to be impartial politically.

upport for Kosovo's independence

President Topi has been a vocal advocate of independence for Kosovo. He staunchly pointed out the need for a sovereign state of Kosovo before the European Council and other international instances.

With a joint invitation of Kosovo's President, Fatmir Sejdiu, and the head of the UN mission, Joachim Ruecker, Bamir Topi stayed for a three-day visit in Kosovo in January 2008. He was proclaimed an honorary citizen of the capital Pristina and awarded with the golden medal, "the Goddess on the Throne". During his visit, he was also conferred the title "Doctor honoris causa" by the University of Pristina.

ee also

*History of Albania
*List of Presidents of Albania

References

External links

* [http://www.president.al/english/pub/presidenti.asp Official Website]