13 years from President Bush's visit to Albania

He 13 years ago, just 10 June 2007, and his wife, Laura, were hosted at the Rinas airport by Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha and by deputies Bamir Topi and Ben Blushi.

President Bush then met at the Palace of Brigades with Albania's president, Alexander Moisiu. Albanian President Moisiu awarded President Bush the highest decoration “The Order of the Flag” for his contribution to support the Albanian issue.

The American president at a joint conference with then Prime Minister Sali Berisha praised the high level of relations between Albania and the US.

The president also said that he believes UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari's plan for supervised independence is the right solution for Kosovo.

He said he will work to convince all Security Council countries and Serbia of this.

Bush said the US supports Albania's desire to join NATO. He highly praised religious tolerance in Albania.

“I expressed my desire for Albania to enter NATO, I am a supporter of this wish,”, the American president said.

While in Tirana, Bush has spoken before Albanian troops -- an expression of gratitude for Albania that has contributed militarily to Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I told the troops that you are respected by our military as well-trained and courageous soldiers,” said Bush. He encouraged Albanian politicians to work together to meet NATO membership standards.

“Politicians must work together to achieve these standards, put aside political changes,” he said.

Bush met in Fushesh-Cruje a group of Albanian businessmen who had received financial support from the American development agency. After the meeting, Bush came out, off the protocol, on the main route of Fushje-Cruja, and met many enthusiastic citizens. US President George Bush has arrived in Tirana on the first visit of an American president to Albania.