On Monday and Tuesday, talks were held in Washington between the delegation of the Albanian government and representatives of the World Bank concerning the strategy of economic reform and, in particular, reform in agriculture. The Albanian delegation included the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Vasil Kati, the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Kastriot Islami, and the director of the economic aid office at the Council of Ministers, Genc Ruli. The Albanian ambassador to the USA, Pëllumb Kulla, also took part in the talks. The discussions were held with the Vice President of the World Bank, Mr. Maurice Strong, and with the Director for Albania, Greece and Cyprus, Mr. Robert Picciotto. The Albanian side presented the main problems of agricultural reform, privatization and the land market, the processing and marketing of agricultural products, the supply of equipment and chemical fertilizers, credit, and support for rural development. The representatives of the World Bank expressed their interest in the progress of the reform in Albania and their readiness to help, through loans and technical assistance, the main agricultural development programs. In particular, the rehabilitation program for irrigation and drainage, the program for supplying agricultural inputs, the program for developing private farms, and the program for market institutions were discussed. There was also discussion of preparing a medium-term program for the development of Albanian agriculture and for increasing agricultural production. The Albanian delegation pointed out the many difficulties inherited from the former system and the need for external support to overcome them. The talks were conducted in a spirit of understanding and cooperation and were assessed as very useful for defining the future directions of cooperation with the World Bank.

The President of the Republic, Dr. Sali Berisha, received yesterday Mr. Jonathan Roskens, president of the American foundation “National Forum Foundation,” who is in Tirana to take part in the International Seminar on democracy and stability in the Balkans. Mr. Jonathan Roskens presented President Berisha with his foundation’s proposals for a series of seminars for senior officials of the Albanian administration and economy concerning the problems of democracy and the market economy. President Berisha regarded the organization of such seminars as very useful assistance, especially for the training of senior administrative personnel and young managers of the Albanian economy. Later, Mr. Jonathan Roskens presented President Berisha with the foundation’s idea of declaring 1993 “The Year of Albania.” President Berisha called this idea very interesting, since it would be a very good opportunity to present our country on the international stage and to encourage the interest of foreign investors. The President thanked Mr. Roskens for his activity in support of Albania and expressed his readiness to cooperate in the future. He then informed President Berisha about the project to create the Albanian-American Development Bank with the participation of American banking circles, as support for Albania’s economic development. President Berisha evaluated this project as an initiative of great interest for our country, especially for financing new private enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses.

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The signing, between the Mission of the European Community and the Albanian government, of a Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between Albania and the EC. An important step is also the creation of a joint commission to monitor its implementation. The agreement provides for increased technical and economic assistance, harmonization of legislation, and the encouragement of democratic reforms. This agreement has been described as the first step on Albania’s path toward progressive rapprochement with the European Community. Senior EC officials have stressed that the success of reforms in Albania will affect the expansion of further cooperation. On the Albanian side, the will was expressed to fulfill the obligations arising from this agreement and to advance the process of European integration. (Continues on page 4)

In his entire program, the voice of the person selected to seek the opinion of the parliamentary commission in order to become a member of the RTSh Steering Council would be heard through the radio set, but in reality he would remain unknown and invisible to citizens. The representative of the Democratic Party said that there was no reason whatsoever to prevent such a candidate. But opposition deputies raised doubts about the way the selection had been made. In the end, the commission approved the candidacy by majority vote. Edi Plaku

Lajere e Apur comes out every month Simon Ju.[?] MOTOS E SHPRRDONON MISIONIN O ATI IM