He was the eighth President of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1 July 1999 until 30 June 2004 and minister president of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1978 to 1998 . He was President of Germany from 1 July 1999 , until 30 June 2004 , and Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1978 to 1998 .