On the east side of the road.

Site includes a shirt-sleeved 2.85 meter-high statue of former President George W. Bush, raising his left hand in greeting in a square where he passed during an official visit to Albania in 2007. A plaque on the statues base notes the date of his visit to Albania in 2007 and recognizes him as a great friend of the Albanians.

President George W. Bush was the first U.S. President to visit Albania. On 10 June 2007, Bush met at the Presidential Palace (also known as the Palace of Brigades) in Tirana with then-President of Albania, Alfred Moisiu, where President Moisiu awarded him one of the highest national decorations, the Order of the National Flag, for his contributions in support of Albania. In a joint conference with then-Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Bush praised the high level of relations between Albania and the US.

During his stay in Tirana, Bush spoke to Albanian troops, expressing gratitude for Albanias contribution to Coalition military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. I told the troops that you are respected by our military as well-trained and courageous soldiers, Bush said. He encouraged Albanian leadership to work together to meet the standards of NATO membership.

Bush met in Fushë Krujë a group of Albanian businessmen who received support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and after the meeting he went out of protocol on the main Fushë Krujë road and met many enthusiastic citizens. 

Then-Prime Minister Sali Berisha unveiled the statue on President Bushs 65th birthday on 6 July 2011. It is said that the statue was erected in the same spot where Bush gave a public address in 2007. Albanians pro-Americanism has its roots in our attempts... to build our deserved future as a free nation, as a free country, Prime Minister Sali Berisha told the crowd.

Albanians have a special affection for the United States, which they credit with ending their countrys Cold War isolation and leading NATOs 1999 bombing offensive that halted ethnic cleansing of Kosovo ethnic Albanians by Serbian troops. Washington also was a staunch supporter of Albanias drive to join NATO, which accepted it into the military alliance in 2009, alongside Croatia.

Additional note: Apart from the statue, a small café located nearby was also renamed in the former Presidents honor. During his visit, the President reportedly stopped at the café briefly to have a meal.

Source of information: publicdelivery.org/george-w-bush-statue, history.state.gov, albaniandailynews.com/news

XHORXH W BUSH

MIK I MADH

I

SHQIPETAREVE

10 QERSHOR 2007

English Translation:

GEORGE W BUSH

GREAT FRIEND

OF THE ALBANIANS

10 JUNE 2007