Photo Credit: USAID Albania   President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Bamir Topi, presented the country's Medal of Honored Service to USAID Mission Director, Mr. Edward T. Landau.

President Honors Service of Departing USAID Mission Director

President Honors Service of Departing USAID Mission Director

TIRANA, AUGUST 26, 2008     Today, the President of the Republic of Albania honored the service of a senior U.S. diplomat, Mr. Edward T. Landau in a ceremony at the Palace of Brigades. In front of Albanian government counterparts and USAID Mission staff, the President awarded Landau with the State's Medal of Honored Service.

In his remarks, Landau thanked the President for this special recognition and emphasized the collaboration and shared values among Albanians and Americans as an asset in achieving the country's development goals.

"Albanians and Americans believe in liberty and justice through strengthened democratic institutions, we believe in economic growth by tapping into individual's entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity, and we believe in a government that performs in an efficient and effective manner," said Landau. "This shared vision has helped us achieve significant progress at a rapid pace in Albania."

Landau has been the Mission Director of the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) in Albania since 2006. After departing Albania this month, he will return to Washington D.C. as the Director for South American affairs.

The new USAID Mission Director to Albania, Ms. Roberta Mahoney, will arrive in mid-September.

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