Former President Clinton visiting Tirana

USPA NEWS - Former President Bill Clinton is honored with the "Star of Appreciation for Public Achievement" medal
Invited by the Albanian government, the former 42nd President of the USA, Bill Clinton, was received with honors in Tirana, where he received the "Star of Appreciation for Public Achievement" medal, as an appreciation for his help in the beginnings of democracy in Albania, as well as his special role in stopping Serbian violence in Kosovo in 1999.

In the ceremony held in the Martyrs of the Nation promenade, Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced Mr. Clinton to a group of children and young people from Kosovo, who bore his name, born after the 1999 fighting.

"I will treasure this moment of honor all my life. I always wanted to come here. The US is committed to the freedom, strength and integrity of Albania," said Mr. Clinton.

He emphasized how during these two decades he was constantly surrounded by the gratitude and love of Albanians everywhere in the world for the decisions that were taken against Serbian violence in Kosovo.

"For me, this is not just a day when the prime minister and the Albanian people gave a man, who no longer has political power and is no longer young, an appreciation for what he did rightly many years ago for you. This is the day when the concept is re-emphasized, that people make the best decisions when they come together", said Mr. Clinton. He emphasized, among other things, that the tension in the north of Kosovo should be put to an end, and that nonsense should be stopped, because no major political issue progresses with tension. Prime Minister Rama praised Mr. Clinton's decision to intervene in Kosovo in 1999. "Albania is the most pro-American country that can be found today. We are a country of eagles and we are very glad that this is true. Clinton taught us that to have hope is to believe. That there are only bad regimes and governments and there are never bad peoples", said Mr. Rama. In the presence of many politicians, authorities, former leaders of high Albanian institutions, as well as many citizens with American and Albanian flags in their hands, Prime Minister Edi Rama handed former American President Clinton the "Star of Appreciation for Public Achievement" medal. He emphasized that he had no words that could adequately express the respect for what Clinton had done for the Albanians, which is why he was given the highest award.