For the second time within twenty years, the president of our country, Mr. Sali Beri- the president of Italy is paying an official visit to our country again. -sha, spoke for about an hour in an official meeting at the Dajti Hotel. After a 30-minute stop at Rinas airport, where our President was represented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dashnor Mema, the Italian President later arrived in Tirana by helicopter, where he was received with military honors, along with other personalities and the ambassador of Italy in Tirana. In a welcoming speech at the airport, President Scalfaro stressed that his visit is being carried out within the framework of cooperation between the two countries and, on behalf of the Italian people, he comes to renew the traditional relations of friendship with our country. Sent by all of us Italians to meet your people with special sympathy, I wish to tell you that relations between Italy and Albania in recent years have grown not only because we are geographically close to each other, but also because we are historically close, and because our problems are very similar. We are looking at the future of Europe and the world with a democratic dimension. You have won this with great difficulty, creating much hope that the future will be better. For this purpose, Italy will do everything possible to make its contribution. I consider this visit to be a valuable experience, both from a human and a political point of view. Sincerely, I wish that relations between our two peoples continue to grow with the old friendship. For this I want to sincerely thank the authorities of your country, the people, and President Sali Berisha, who has welcomed me very warmly. I believe that also through our initiative these relations will become even livelier. That is also my best wish,” Mr. Scalfaro concluded. The newspaper “Demokratika” warmly welcomes President Scalfaro Then Italian President Scalfaro, accompanied by Mr. Sali Berisha, set off for the Palace of Brigades, where the official welcoming ceremony was held.

The square “Italia” is inaugurated President Scalfaro and Berisha take part At 4:30 p.m., in the specially organized ceremony, in the presence of the President of our country, Mr. Sali Berisha, and his Italian counterpart, Oskar Luixhi Skalfaro, the mayor of Tirana, Albert Brojka, awarded the Italian President the title of “Honorary Citizen of Tirana”. In his remarks, Brojka highly praised Italy’s contribution to the stabilization of Albanian democracy, the many forms of assistance provided, as well as the growing investments of Italian entrepreneurs in our country. For his part, President Skalfaro thanked them for the honor being shown by the city of Tirana, praising the courage, generosity, culture, and traditions of the Albanian people. “Italia” Square is located at the entrance to the Grand Park, in the area near the “Qemal Stafa” stadium. It was inaugurated as part of the ceremonies for the Italian President’s visit to Albania.

- Mr. Scalfaro’s speech in the Albanian parliament ITALIAN PRESIDENT: We have long felt Albania to be a European land in the heart of the Balkans, with old ties to Italy. But we do not want to look at you as a country with which we will have selfish relations simply because it is a market or, on the contrary, as a place where we can sell our goods as well as a possible reservoir of labor. Albania, for us, is a friendly country and deserves, on our part, not only respect, but also regard and sympathy. The Albania of yesterday is different from today’s Albania. This sentence may seem excessive, because we all know that freedom has come. But this freedom has not been a gift. You have won it through courage and sacrifice. This has led Italian public opinion to follow your difficult path with interest and appreciation. Many Italians have understood that Albania is not only a country near our shores, but a nation with a strong identity and a rightful desire to return to the European family. We have not come here to give lectures. We have come to show that Italy stands by your side and is ready to contribute with everything it can to strengthening democratic institutions, economic development, and your rapprochement with Europe. Our friendship must be based on sincerity and understanding. Only thus will cooperation be lasting and fruitful for both our peoples.

Esteemed Mr. Dahm, of the North Atlantic Council , Distinguished ambassadors, First of all, allow me to thank you for the opportunity given to me to address the North Atlantic Council today. For Albania and the Albanians, this is an event of special importance. Today we are in a historical period when the nations of Europe are striving to build a new democratic order. Albania, which for decades suffered isolation, tyranny, and poverty, is determined to move along the path of freedom, democracy, and the market economy. For us, NATO represents not only a military alliance, but a system of values linked to freedom, peace, security, and cooperation among nations. We wish to develop close relations with NATO, contribute to regional stability, and strengthen our democratic institutions. Albania considers its future to be closely tied to Euro-Atlantic structures and is ready to fulfill the responsibilities arising from this strategic orientation. (Continued on page 4)