In yesterday’s plenary session of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania, the anti-national acts of the Greek government against the vital interests of our country and of the Albanian nation as a whole were strongly raised. In this official Greek political attitude, with no concern whatsoever for its international consequences, at a time when our country is making serious efforts to overcome its grave economic situation and establish stable democratic development, the aim is clearly to take advantage of Albania’s current difficulties in order to undermine its independence and national sovereignty. Greek chauvinist circles, through the series of successive provocations they have incited against our country in recent months, seek to destabilize the situation in Albania and to present our country on the international stage as a hotbed of ethnic and religious conflicts. They aim to weaken and cast doubt on the image of the new democratic Albania, to hinder its integration into European structures, and to slow down foreign aid for our country. These goals are in open contradiction with the spirit of the Paris Charter, with the Helsinki principles, and with the obligations arising from the documents of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which were also signed by Greece. In this context, the chauvinist and extremist propaganda of certain Greek circles has intensified efforts to interfere in Albania’s internal affairs and to present the international public with a distorted picture of the reality in our country. This propaganda seeks to exploit the issue of the Greek minority in Albania as a means of political pressure. The Republic of Albania has consistently respected and continues to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens without distinction of nationality, religion, or political conviction. The Greek minority in Albania enjoys full constitutional and legal rights, which are enshrined in our legislation and applied in practice. Efforts to present the opposite are groundless and can in no way justify interference in the internal affairs of our country. The Albanian government remains determined to defend the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania. It is ready to develop good-neighborly relations with Greece, based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and non-interference in internal affairs. But these relations cannot be built on chauvinist claims or on a spirit of imposition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania strongly condemns the anti-national acts of the Greek government and calls on all political and social forces in the country, in the face of these challenges, to show maturity, unity, and determination in defending national interests.

AT THE SIGNING OF THE UNITED CONVENTION - 22 OCTOBER 1992 Below is the full text of the speech delivered at the signing ceremony by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali: Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that this special occasion, long awaited by the international community, will be an important step toward strengthening cooperation among states and affirming the shared values of our nations. The convention being signed today is the result of long work and fruitful dialogue among representatives of many countries. It embodies the will to move forward on the path of peace, justice, and respect for human dignity. In a world facing tensions, conflicts, and uncertainty, multilateral cooperation remains the best way to find lasting solutions. The United Nations must be a forum where every people’s voice is heard and where responsibilities are shared fairly. We believe that this convention will strengthen the international legal framework and create better conditions for understanding and cooperation. This requires political will, commitment, and mutual respect. Let this day be a testament to our determination to build a more just and humane international order. Thank you.

PS MP Ilir Meta [?] IMMUNITY IS STRIPPED - PS takes advantage of the occasion to present a deputy of the Commission (III) - Can PS also take on the challenge of raising the Poligam? (?) - The vices of the past continue to be manifested in many new anti-democratic positions - Discussion of a deputy’s immunity can no longer be considered a matter of the deputy and of agreements between political forces? - Alfredin! [?] The democratic government and the President of the Republic are finally obliged to respect the independence of institutions, especially the judiciary. The prosecutor’s requests for lifting the immunity of MP Ilir Hoxha will be examined by the competent bodies. For some time now it has been noted that the justice authorities have begun to treat seriously cases related to violations of the law by public figures. This is proof of the strengthening of the rule of law and of equality of citizens before the law. On the other hand, this issue has been exploited politically by the Socialist Party, which seeks to present the legal procedure as a political conflict. Instead of distancing itself from condemnable actions, it seeks to defend the individual for the sake of party interests. In a democratic society, parliamentary immunity is not a shield for avoiding criminal responsibility. It exists to guarantee the free exercise of a deputy’s mandate, but not to prevent justice from acting when there are indications of a violation of the law. Yesterday’s debate in the Assembly showed that the opposition is trying to create artificial tension and to incite division. However, the parliamentary majority clearly stated that the institutions must follow the legal path without being influenced by political pressure. This is proof that Albania is entering a new phase in which no one can be above the law. Respect for institutions and the separation of powers are the foundations of the democratic state.

Albanian citizens are going through a difficult period, but also a decisive one for their future. After decades of isolation, Albania has entered a new stage, where orientation toward Europe is not only an aspiration, but a historical necessity. This orientation requires deep reforms in the economy, in the institutions, and in political culture. It is not enough to proclaim a European goal; a society based on freedom, law, property, and free initiative must be built day by day. The ordinary Albanian feels that the road to Europe is long and difficult. It requires sacrifice, patience, and trust. But at the same time, it is the only path that can lift the country out of backwardness and give hope to younger generations. The Europe we want is not just a geographical space. It is a system of values where the dignity of the individual is respected, where power is controlled by law, and where the future is built through work and civic responsibility. Albania cannot remain hostage to old political habits, authoritarian mindsets, and pointless conflicts. It must move forward courageously on the path of reforms, dialogue, and integration.

The Port of Durrës is the most important hub of Albania’s communication with the outside world. For this reason, developments related to its functioning are of special importance for the national economy and for the country’s prospects for opening up. In recent years, many shortcomings have appeared in the management of the port, in the organization of work, in infrastructure investments, and in coordination with other institutions. These shortcomings have caused delays, additional costs, and dissatisfaction in the flow of goods and passengers. The government has begun taking measures to modernize the port and increase its efficiency. This includes improving infrastructure, strengthening customs control, reinforcing work discipline, and fighting abuses. The Port of Durrës must become a point of reference for trade and regional cooperation. It can make an important contribution to the country’s economic development if it is managed with professionalism and responsibility. The task of state institutions is to create the conditions for this potential to be put at the service of the public interest and the long-term development of Albania.

In the name of the rule of law, there are groups of people determined to carry through to the end the efforts to destabilize the country. Helped by the ghosts of the past, they seek to present political conflict as a crisis of the constitutional order. Albanians have not forgotten what happened over decades, when right was replaced by arbitrariness and power was turned into the privilege of the ruling minority. That is why today the majority of citizens support the path of democratic reforms and the rule of law. The rule of law cannot be the slogan of those who yesterday violated the law and trampled on human rights. Those who today speak loudly of democracy must first account for their past and for the damage they have caused Albanian society. Political and moral responsibility cannot be replaced by rhetoric. Our society needs calm, dedication to work, and respect for institutions, not incitement to conflict and attempts to obstruct the progress of reforms. Democratic forces must remain united and resolute in the face of any attempt aimed at turning back the clock. Only in this way can we build a European future for Albania.