"Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Decoration (1996–)
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:
- * - Fatos Nano, former Prime Minister of Albania
- * - Colin Powell, retired US General, former Secretary of State
- * - Comte Jean d'Ogny
- * - Azem Hajdari, assassinated Albanian politician
- * - Fatmir Sejdiu, President of Kosovo
- * - Sabri Hamiti, Albanian writer and scholar from Kosovo
- * - Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar
- * - Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait
- * - Sabri Godo, writer, screenwriter, politician.
- * - Ramush Haradinaj, former Prime Minister of Kosovo
- * - Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister
- * - Anthony Bailey, interfaith campaigner.
- * - Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, politician.
- * - Rosemary DiCarlo, American diplomat.
- * - Doris Pack, German politician, President of EPP Women and former Member of the European Parliament 1989-2014.
- * - Aleksandar Stipčević, Croatian-Albanian historian and archaeologist.
- * - Laura Boldrini, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy
- * - Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy
- * - Cafo Beg Ulqini, former Mayor of Ulqin, Leader of Second League of Prizren
- * - Henry Brooke, retired Court of Appeal judge
- * - Rudolf Decker , former Member of Landtag of Baden-Württemberg, and Chair of the Foundation for Basic Values and International Understanding
