Albanian National Day

As prepared

Thank you, Ambassador, for that kind introduction. And good evening to all of you. It is my high honor to be here to celebrate Albania's independence and toast our long bilateral relations.

Official relations were frozen during the time when your country and people were under Fascist, and then Stalinist oppression. But it is worth recalling that the frostiness in official relations was due to the U.S. decision to stand by the Albanian people, throughout all of that time.

For 52 years we did not have official ties, government to government, but the United States strongly supported the aspirations of the Albanian people. Never did we forget that our relations were deeply rooted, boosted by Americans of Albanian descent, going back to the early years of the independence we so rightly honor today.

Our ties today, already strong, were galvanized by the visit of President Bush visit to Tirana in June, the first serving American President to set foot on Albanian soil. The warmth with which you met him, the joy of the people he encountered, was clearly and deeply felt. I know that President Bush was moved, and we as a nation were grateful for your friendship.

His visit recalls the contributions of another American President, Woodrow Wilson, who stood up for Albania, and stood in the way of those who wanted to block creation of an Albanian state. At the end of World War I, those who laid claim to Albanian territory had been our allies in war - but President Wilson said no. No cynicism there. The President said, no, Albanians are one of Europe's oldest people, and they will have a state.

Rest assured, we Americans know you remember all this, and that today many of your high schools are named Woodrow Wilson in his honor.

Albanians have suffered an extraordinarily difficult history, yet you are not jaded. Sophisticated, but not cynical. At heart, you are optimists - something Americans understand.

Like Americans, Albanians love freedom, and today, a free Albania is working hard to strengthen freedom and security in the world.

You have shown impressive solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, and Iraq, working together with the United States and other NATO Allies. On behalf our nation and government, I want to recognize your contributions to supporting peace and stability in these two critical nations.

Albania's aspiration is to take its place as a member of NATO and the European Union. I cannot speak for the European Union, but as a member of NATO, I want to be clear that the United States supports Albania's NATO aspirations.

NATO's standards are clear - among them are democracy, market economy, rule of law, respect for human rights, contributions to regional security and good neighborly relations, and the will and ability to contribute to collective defense and Alliance security missions wherever that may be.

It takes work. And Albania is indeed working hard. Albania has implemented substantial defense reforms, and is increasing its military interoperability with NATO. You are working together with Macedonia and Croatia as part of the Adriatic Charter. You are tackling electoral and judicial reforms, and working hard to combat crime and corruption, and human trafficking, and cleaning up government procurment. These are all important reforms and we support you and wish you every success.

It is our responsibility as friends to speak candidly. You know as well as we do that the challenges are great, and that there is more work to do. You have our full support, and assistance, and good wishes. But Albania's success ultimately can be determined only by Albanians themselves.

But for a nation that has lived through Albania's history and emerged - free, independent, democratic, peaceful, and, above all, optimistic - we have every confidence in your success.

Ambassador, thank you again for having me, and allow me on behalf of the United States government to wish you and all the people of Albania a joyous independence day, and a peaceful and prosperous future. Long live Albania's independence.