TIRANA – On the occasion of granting the title of Knight of National Order of Legion of Honor to Mr. Julien Roche, the well-known French businessmen and investor in Albania, the French Embassy in Tirana hosted on Monday evening a ceremony where the Ambassador, Mr. Bernard Fitoussi handed over to Mr. Roche the symbol of the Knight.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, ministers, diplomats, French businessmen and investors, members of Chamber of Commerce France-Albania, friends of Mr. Roche, etc.

In his greeting remarks, French Ambassador to Tirana stated that finally France is showing its gratitude to the person who has served it for so many years in Albania. According to him, France wasn’t wrong when it decided to grant the title of Knight of National Order of Legion of Honor to Mr. Julien Roche adding that France is loyal to its sons.

Further, Ambassador Fitoussi made a description of Mr. Roche and his family highlighting that Roche is a renowned name in the history of Lyon Resistance, that of Jean Moulin against the Nazis. He said that even his father, Marius, had received the title of Knight of National Order of Legion of Honor and had the same cross that Mr. Fitoussi put on Mr. Julien’s jacket.

He said that business and international field is the second DNA of Mr. Julien, after that of Roche’s.

He added that in 1989, Mr. Roche decided to finally reside in Albania where he created “ADA Holding” which marked the beginning of at least 18 enterprises. Ambassador Fitoussi mentioned some of the enterprises as well as media considering Albanian Daily News as ‘the most famous one.’

Ambassador also mentioned the fact that Mr. Roche founded the Club d’Affaires France-Albanie in 2011 which later became the Chamber of Commerce France-Albania which he leads.

On the other hand, French Ambassador said that for Mr. Roche, Albania has been the promised land and this is why he has chosen Albania as his second homeland.

“Mr. Julien Roche is a Frenchman who has served his country with honesty, dignity and pride. He is the best French in Albania but since he has become Albanian recently, he is also the best Albanian of France,” French Ambassador ended his speech.

On his part, Mr. Julien Roche thanked the Ambassador for his words and also expressed gratitude for the receiving of this important title.