Back home from France where he paid a visit at invitation of President Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Sali Berisha gave a press conference today evening. 

“In the early hours of the morning, I came back home from a rather important visit in Paris at invitation of the President of the French Republic Nicolas Sarkozy.

President Sarkozy granted a very warm and friendly audience. We discussed on Albania EU integration project, Albania reforms toward a well-deserved success of EU integration, bilateral cooperation especially in the economic and cultural fields because it is already known Albania crystal clear francophone vocation.

It was an opportunity to express gratitude to President Sarkozy and his country for the hospitality and the support for Albania NATO membership in Strasbourg summit. On his part, President Sarkozy considered Albania NATO membership a real historic achievement of Albania. While taking into account the unimaginable heritage, Sarkozy would say, Albania has passed through difficulties, but it managed to well-deserve NATO membership.

President Sarkozy would guarantee France fully supports Albania on its road to EU integration –which is an irreversible process- although the circumstances are known like Lisbon process, global crisis; however, France supports Albania application to EU candidate status.

President Sarkozy reiterated his promise to visit Albania. And he asked his advisors to draft his Albania visit in his agenda. I said it would be an historic date given that President Sarkozy would become the first president of France to visit my country and I would like to assure he will find the friendliest feelings in Albania. The message I would convey to the Albanians is that France considers Albania integration irreversible and highly assesses Albania reforms and efforts to deserve this trust and the news for President Sarkozy coming visit and all these make my French visit extremely fruitful.  

On this occasion, I would like to express once again deep gratitude to President Sarkozy for the hospitality that he extended to me and the Albanian delegation.

During my stay in Paris, my friend from 1991 period until present-day, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs Bernard Kouchner provided an appointment for me and put on a dinner. We talked about Albania reforms and integration, Albania integration project, free movement of the Albanians, the encouragement of the French businessmen to invest in Albania and the regional developments. We shared the same viewpoints and I asked Mr. Kouchner to stimulate French business to invest in Albania. And the French foreign minister would also call a broad group of businessmen advising them to examine the investment opportunities in Albania. Bernard Kouchner, like President Sarkozy, fully supports Albania European project, Albania application for the candidate status, visa liberalization in line with the schedule of meeting the standards. Minister Kouchner also promised to visit Albania.

During my French visit, I also held a meeting with MEDEF. For two hours I presented Albania potentials for French business. The participants expressed a great interest. And the French businessmen present made a brilliant advocacy of Albania potentials and its favorable business environment.

The French media provided an extensive coverage of the visit. The main French TV station broadcasted live my interview conducted in front of the Elysee, following the meeting with President Sarkozy. Other media organs also conducted extensive interviews.

In conclusion, I say it was a brief visit, but friendly, intensive and fruitful. I reiterate my gratitude to my hosts, the respective ambassadors of the two countries for the great job in preparation of this visit.”

Following, Premier Berisha answered to questions of the journalists.