"Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Decoration
The "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Decoration is a high honorary state decoration that is currently awarded to Albanian and foreign citizens in Albania, that have made an important contribution to the defence, reinforcement and development of the Republic of Albania.
The name refers to Skanderbeg, who is the national hero of the Albanian people. The Decoration is granted by the President of Albania. It should not be confused with the royal Order of Skanderbeg, which is a dynastic order bestowed by the Albanian royal family.
Recipients
Some recipients to date include:- Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait for his financial contribution to the reconstruction of the Skanderbeg Square.
- Anthony Bailey, Irish interfaith campaigner.
- Laura Boldrini, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy.
- Henry Brooke, retired British Court of Appeal judge.
- Rudolf Decker.
- Rosemary DiCarlo, American diplomat.
- Yuli Edelstein, Israeli politician.
- Sabri Godo, writer, screenwriter, politician.
- Azem Hajdari, assassinated Albanian politician.
- Sabri Hamiti for the irreplaceable contribution to modern Albanian thought and for the role played in facing the historical challenges that the Albanian people faced in the late 20th century.
- Ramush Haradinaj, former Prime Minister of Kosovo.
- Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar.
- Jonathan M. Moore, U.S. Diplomat,
- Fatos Nano, former Prime Minister of Albania.
- Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy.
- Doris Pack, German politician, President of EPP Women and former Member of the European Parliament 1989–2014.
- Colin Powell, retired US General, former Secretary of State.
- Fatmir Sejdiu, President of Kosovo.
- Ismail Serageldin, Vice President of the World Bank, Emeritus Librarian of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
- Michael Spindelegger, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria
- Aleksandar Stipčević, Croatian-Albanian historian and archaeologist.
- Cafo Beg Ulqini, former Mayor of Ulqin, Leader of Second League of Prizren.
- Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister.
- Xhevahir Spahiu for his contribution to the national culture.
- RAI Kalabria : for their significant contribution to preserving the Arbëreshë culture and language.