U.S. President George W. Bush arrived here on Sunday morning to pay a whirlwind visit to Albania, as the first sitting U.S. president to ever visit the tiny western Balkan state.

Bush's Air Force One touched down at the Tirana International Airport at 9:30 a.m. (0730 GMT). He was whisked into the city flanked by a motorcade.

Bush flew in from Italy before which he attended the Group of Eight summit held in Germany. He then paid short visits to the Czech Republic and Poland. After Albania, he will fly to Bulgaria to wrap up his six-nation tour of the European continent.

During his stay in Tirana, Bush will meet with his Albanian counterpart Alfred Moisiu at the Brigadier presidential palace, hold talks with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, and have a luncheon party with three prime ministers from the Adriatic Charter countries -- Albania, Croatia and Macedonia.

In sharp contrast to the protests and even riots that greeted him on this trip to other countries, Bush was embraced by smiling faces and heart-felt warmth in Albania. There is not a protester in sight.

Instead, the capital city of Tirana is decked out in stars and stripes of the American flags to welcome the U.S. leader, whom they see as their best ally. Bush even got a street in central Tirana named after him.

Large American and Albanian flags, and posters which proclaim "Proud to be partners" were hung on the lamp-posts on the main boulevard which is lined by government offices. Major buildings and landmarks in the city center are also draped in the same colors.

Bush's visit is seen as a reward for Albania's unblinking loyalty to the U.S.

Albania was among the first U.S. allies to support Washington's refusal to the jurisdiction of the U.N.'s International Criminal Court. The country has supported the U.S.-led "war on terror" by sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq. It still has troops there, and has promised to contribute more.

"The troops will stay put in Iraq and Afghanistan as long as the Americans are there," Albanian President Alfred Moisiu has said.