PRESS RELEASE
The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani was awarded the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity by the President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano

The President of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Giorgio Napolitano, conferred the title "Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana/Commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity" on the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, with the citation: "For the distinguished contribution of Governor Fullani to the further enhancement of co-operation in the economic area between the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Albania".

The award ceremony took place at the Bank of Albania premises today on 7 June 2007, wherein the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Tirana, His Excellency Mr. Attilio Massimo Ianucci, consigned the title to the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani.

Present in this ceremony were the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ridvan Bode, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lulzim Basha, members of the Government, Head of Parliamentary Commission of Economy and Finance, Mr. Edmond Spaho, deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, representatives of the President, Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Albania, such as the United States Ambassador, Ms. Marcie Ries, French Ambassador, Ms. Françoise Bourolleau, Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Erich Pircher, Bulgarian Ambassador, Mr. Teodor Spasov Rusinov, Dutch Deputy Ambassador, Ms. Ardi Stoios Braken, Czech Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Vaclav Dobes, IMF resident representative in Tirana, Ms. Ann-Margret Westin, commercial banks' managing directors and many other Albanian and foreign personalities.

In his speech, Ambassador Iannucci commended the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani for the efforts and merits in establishing concrete opportunities for the flow of both Italian and foreign capital into Albania, particulary in the financial sector. Mr. Ianucci said that Governor Fullani has also acted as the Albanian "economic ambassador", transmitting the achievements and challenges of Albania beyond the Adriatic sea. "Albania needs to be acknowledged for the achievements and reforms; hence, this title once again confirms the success of Albania, and in particular of the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani".

On his behalf, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the President of the Republic of Italy, Mr. Napolitano, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy, Mr. Massimo D'Alema, and to the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Albania, Mr. Iannucci.

In his speech to the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, Mr. Fullani said: "...I would like to assure you that my work and efforts towards enhancing the economic and financial co-operation, as well as solidarity with the friend country, Italy, will grow further.

It would not be excessive to say that enhancing friendship and human understanding among nations is in itself, a noble mission. An ancient expression says: "Friendship does for people what the sun does for flowers. Pour it on and watch them blossom".

In ancient philosophy, accepting the honour from an eminent nation, ennobles you.

It is with immense gratitude and deep respect that I accept this decoration from the President of the Italian Republic and the Italian people."

Worth mentioning is the fact that this is the first time that the Italian Government confers this title on an Albanian personality for high merits.

Website of the Italian Presidency