Eric Adams, former ‘international mayor’ of NYC, becomes an honorary Albanian citizen
NEW YORK (AP) — Former New York Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday that he has become an Albanian citizen, taking him one step closer to his oft-repeated dream of leaving politics behind and building a life abroad.
According to one Democrat, Adams received honorary citizenship “at his own request.” official decree from the country’s president, Bayram Begaj.
The news was: first reported A spokesman for Adams confirmed this in Albanian media, saying the former mayor “has been a long-time friend and ally of the Albanian-American community.”
“The Republic of Albania’s decision to grant Mayor Adams citizenship is a reflection of our enduring relationship and mutual respect,” spokesman Todd Shapiro said in a text message, adding that the recognition “further strengthens the bond between New York and Albania.”
Adams, who once described himself as an “international mayor”, has previously expressed his closeness to the small Balkan country. She was living in the country while her adult son competed on the Albanian version of “American Idol.” Adams went there himself in October. one of several international trips He was appointed during his final months in office.
Purpose, it he said then“It was about saying hello to a friend and learning from a friend and engaging in a friendship that will not let our oceans or seas divide us.”
It was not immediately clear what Adams planned to do with his new citizenship. But he has previously expressed a desire to move away from his hometown of New York City.
At an event honoring the Azerbaijani community in 2018, then-Brooklyn Borough President Adams said, “When I retire from the government, I will live in Baku.” A few years later, in an interview with a Jewish publication, Adams said he wanted to retire in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Adams’ ambition to travel internationally to Türkiye as mayor federal indictment It focused in part on allegations that he accepted improper travel grants from foreign nationals.
Adams denied the allegations, and the case was later ordered dismissed by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. Adams later met with Trump administration officials about the possibility of receiving an embassy, but that did not materialize.
Shortly after withdrawing his troubled re-election bid, Adams embarked on a four-day trip to Albania, meeting with the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and members of his Cabinet, as well as local businessmen. The expenses of the trip were partially covered by the Albanian government.
Since leaving office, Adams has been spotted in Dubai and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also told reporters he planned to fly to Senegal for a business opportunity but declined to discuss the matter further.
In January, it launched a cryptocurrency that it said would work. Pushing back against anti-Semitism and “anti-Americanism”However, it came under scrutiny after losing millions of dollars in value.
