Albania's Prince Leka Awards Mr. Julien Roche

"I consider today's honor for me as something very special, and I experience this not as a casual moment, but humbly as an appreciation. Above all, I experience it as the continuation of a dream to see Albania as a Lady and convey its best image to the world," said Mr. Roche.

TIRANA - "We are honoring an extraordinary man, the most Albanian of the Frenchmen, the noblest of businessmen, the most generous, my precious friend, Mr. Julien Roche, in this ceremony," has said Albania's Prince Leka while awarding the Grand Cordon of the Royal Order of Skanderbeg to Mr. Julien Roche. 
The ceremony, which was held at the Royal Residence in Tirana on December 12, 2017, was attended by Princess Elia, Mr. Andi Cici, Director of the Cabinet of President Ilir Meta, Mr. Tomi Frasheri, Advisor for Protocol and the Diplomatic Coordination to Prime Minister Edi Rama, Deputy Ambassador of France to Albania Isabelle La Guellec and other diplomats, well-known artists like Inva Mula and Helena Kadare, and other invitees. 
In his remarks Prince Leka appreciated highly Mr. Roche for his extraordinary achievements in the field of entrepreneurship, the strengthening of the friendship between the Albanian and French nations, the steady promotion of the values, traditions, potentials, arts and culture of Albanians. He was also grateful to him for the friendship and loyalty toward the Royal Family, and the memory of the King Zog and Queen Geraldine through publishing works as well as for the contribution for the production of the documentary dedicated to Queen Geraldine by Frédéric Mitterrand, which will be shown in France, Germany and Albania at the beginning of January next year. Prince Leka thanked him for shedding light on a very important epoch of Albania's history, which, as he said, had been kept in darkness and thrown mud on it for a long time. 
"I was not born when you, Julien, in the year 1981, decided to undertake the craziest adventure of your life; to make trade with the most isolated country in the world," he said, pointing out that despite the desperation and lost expectation existing in this country, Mr. Roche maintained respect and confidence towards Albania. "Albanians will always be loyal to you as they know to be towards any friends who respect their motherland," said Prince Leka. Further on he recalled that Albania's former President (Bujar Nishani) granted the Albanian nationality to Mr. Roche on May 21, 2013. In conclusion, Prince Leka expressed his confidence that history would be witness that a precious friend not only of the Royal Family but of the entire Albanian nation was being honored.
"I consider today's honor for me as something very special, and I experience this not as a casual moment, but with humbleness as an appreciation. Above all, I experience it as the continuation of a dream to see Albania as a Lady and convey its best image to the world," said Mr. Julien Roche in his remarks speaking in Albanian.
"The Grand Cordon of the Royal Order of Skanderbeg is an ever living evidence of the refinement and chic of Albanian tradition," Mr. Roche said highlighting Prince Leka's impressive marriage. "It was an honor and pleasure for me to see and assist you modestly in fulfilling a personal dream, your marriage, which turned into a dreaming example for many Albanians," Mr. Roche said, expressing his thanks and special joy for the award.
Mr. Tomi Frasheri, Advisor for Protocol and the Diplomatic Coordination to PM Edi Rama, handed over to Mr. Roche a bouquet of flowers saying that it was on behalf of Premier's wife and PM Edi Rama. "Premier's wife could not make to come to attend the ceremony because of an official engagement," said Mr. Frasheri. The awarding ceremony was followed by a cocktail.

Source: ADN