Tetovo, 27 October 2021 (MIA) — Tetovo Mayor Teuta Arifi, who is running for her third term, told a press conference Wednesday the local runoff election results would determine whether Tetovo becomes an environmentally friendly, modern European city or not, MIA’s Tetovo correspondent reports. “Our vision for Tetovo is European,” Arifi said. “This means European standards in terms of infrastructure, transparency in the administration, environmental protection and, above all, the living standard of citizens. I want Tetovo to be a modern, European city, with the highest quality of life for all citizens." “My plan for the next four years has realistic and achievable projects that will make Tetovo a modern city,” Arifi continued, listing sustainable traffic solutions and a policy of zero tolerance of waste, casinos, and stray dogs among her priorities. “In the next four years, Tetovo will be a green, modern and European municipality,” she added. She said she was proud Tetovo was promoting equal rights for all citizens, respect for women's rights, and a peaceful and friendly coexistence between Albanians, Macedonians, Turks, Roma and every other ethnic community in the city. “Our Tetovo was the first municipality with an Albanian majority to elect a woman mayor,” Arifi pointed out. “Our Tetovo has become an example of peaceful coexistence, an example of unity of diversity – ethnic, religious and cultural. “In our Tetovo, we respect each other. We appreciate each other. We appreciate culture, tradition and religion. This united Tetovo, these modern European values ​​are priceless – and there’s no going back. This week, our European Tetovo is in question,” Arifi said. She added that Tetovo should not backslide into division, which used to hinder social progress. “Let's move forward together, forward to a European Tetovo,” she said. “Only your vote can ensure a western Tetovo with European standards and European values. Only your vote can ensure women’s rights, an open society where all ethnic communities and religions are equally respected. Only your vote can ensure that Tetovo continues to move forward instead of going back to the past we left behind. “While our opponent in this election said he didn’t want the votes of all citizens, he didn’t want the votes of VMRO, I’m saying very clearly: I’m the mayor of all citizens, without exception, and I’m asking for the support and trust of all of you. “I'm calling on SDSM and VMRO supporters to vote for a united Tetovo, where every community and every religion is treated and respected equally. I’m asking for the support of the Roma and Turkish community in Tetovo, to further strengthen the values ​​of our multiethnic society. “And I’m asking all Albanians, regardless of their party membership or who they voted for in the first round, to vote for what is best for all of our citizens and children: a modern, European Tetovo – a Tetovo for everyone,” Arifi said. mr/