On Tuesday, after the address by the President of the European Parliament, Dr. Egon Klepsh, the People's Assembly began its work by examining, article by article, the changes made to the package of six fiscal-system laws. The proposed changes to the laws “On profit tax,” “On excise duties in the Republic of Albania,” “On turnover tax,” and “On taxes on foreign ships calling at Albanian ports” were approved without much discussion. More concern was expressed in the discussion of amendments to two draft laws: “On the establishment of customs supervision for imported goods” and “On customs tariffs.” The deputies' main concern was whether imposing customs duties on certain food products that had previously been untaxed would lead to price increases. Specialists from the Ministry of Finance and Economy explained that even when these products were not previously taxed, their prices had not fallen, because traders had maintained a high profit margin. This profit margin would also be maintained under taxation, so prices could not be expected to change; otherwise, there might be small reductions, since ultimately consumer demand would determine them. Nevertheless, some deputies criticized the course chosen by the government and drew attention to corruption in our customs service, calling for stronger oversight by the competent authorities. Speaking about this problem, Mr. Imami held the government responsible, stressing that corruption had permeated every level of the state. Deputy A. Baleta said that these measures would whet the appetites of the corrupt and the traders. In response to these comments, the Minister of Finance and Economy, Genc Ruli, said: “I am sorry that the things newspapers repeat in their campaigns against corruption are reflected here in the Assembly as well. There is nothing true in what is said and written in the newspapers. There are problems in customs, and we have carried out and will continue to carry out ongoing inspections, but the situation should not be exaggerated. The accusation of corruption against the government is unfounded.” After the debates, which continued into the afternoon session, the proposed amendments were approved by a majority vote. The amendments to the draft law “On customs tariffs” were also approved. (ATSH)

Meeting between President Berisha and Mr. Egon Klepsh At the meeting held at midday on July 20 with the President of the European Parliament, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, said: “First, I want to thank you, the European Parliament and the countries of the European Community, for the exceptionally great assistance you have given Albania during this very difficult and delicate period in its history.” At the meeting held at midday on July 20 with the President of the European Parliament, the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, said: “First, I want to thank you, the European Parliament and the countries of the European Community, for the exceptionally great assistance you have given Albania during this very difficult and delicate period in its history. You mentioned in Parliament my visit to Brussels after the elections of March 22. I had the special honor and pleasure of making my first visit as head of state to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. I came to you to express Albania's determination to build the rule of law and a market economy; I came to ask for your substantial assistance to Albania. At that meeting I insisted that the European Community consider Albania a special case. And in response to this request, I found courage and unparalleled dignity. They accepted great sacrifices in the name of a better future. They accepted the pain of reform and the rigorous observance of all agreements with the European Community, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, and I assure you that Albania will faithfully honor the agreements it has signed in the future as well. At this stage of development, our joint efforts to break free from the shackles of emergency aid must be made concrete through economic cooperation and the conclusion of association agreements with Albania; in particular, I would say, by continuing to treat it as a special case. Indeed, if you look at our infrastructure heritage, it becomes quite clear that by this criterion Albania is much worse off than many other countries you assist. Thus, this priority objective—the construction of the rule of law in Albania—must be combined with respect for minorities, which holds a special place. We remain committed to respecting the rights of the Greek minority, which is directly represented in Parliament. Besides this, members of other minorities can be found at every level of the Albanian state, without encountering any kind of discrimination. To convince you of this, I ask you to send a parliamentary delegation to Albania to investigate the situation of the Greek minority there. I will also ask that this issue be examined by the CSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Van der Stoel. I had a long conversation with him a month ago, and he did not raise any concerns with me about the situation of the Greek minority. We regret that the minority has recently been used by the Greek government to increase tension and destabilize the region. I can assure you that there is no religious problem in Albania; through the coexistence of several religions, you contribute greatly to human civilization.” Speaking on behalf of the European Parliament delegation, Mr. Klepsh said that his visit to Albania now gave him the opportunity to learn about things not only from letters and reports, but directly. He said he was surprised by the achievements of the past year in the economy, especially the fall of inflation to zero. “I am convinced,” Mr. Klepsh said, “that Albania is on the right track and that things will only get better. You will have our full and lasting support. The European Parliament has two sacred principles that it does not change: the inviolability of borders and respect for human rights.” From the meetings he had held, he said, he could conclude that there was no religious problem in Albania and that, through the coexistence of several religions, Albanians made a valuable contribution to human civilization. that he supported the President's request and that a visit could be organized in the autumn. He praised Albania's promising prospects, particularly its role as a factor for peace and stability in the Balkans. “For this,” he said, “we express our confidence in you. I can assure you that wherever I am, I will speak about what I learned in Albania so that your country's situation and problems become better known in Europe.” ATSH ... of Europe. I came here to express to you market economy; I came to ask you for substantial assistance for Albania. At this special case. And in all of this, I found you fully understanding. Once again, I stress that without your help, without the substantial and generous assistance of the European Community and the member countries of this Community, democracy could not have been won and consolidated in Albania. We asked you to consider Albania a special case, and you treated it as such; I am also pleased to inform you that the Albanian people as a whole and the Albanian government ... [text continues, cut off] In Brussels, a year ago, you said—[text continues] ... but not once did he used by the Greek government to heighten tensions and destabilize the southern Balkans. Nevertheless, Albania remains interested in normalizing relations, but cannot tolerate the chauvinism of its neighbors. We remain a factor for stability in this region and aspire to peace and integration, but we cannot refrain from expressing concern about the formation of alliances which have historically brought conflict and discord to our peninsula. The President of the European Parliament, ... [text continues, cut off]

The President of the European Parliament, Dr. Egon Klepsh, met with the Foreign Policy Committee of the People's Assembly. Speaking at the meeting, the committee's chairman, Eduard Selami, described Mr. Klepsh's visit as one of the most important visits to Albania during this period of major change and the consolidation of democracy, and as support for advancing these changes and integrating Albania into European processes. Mr. Selami pointed out the importance of contacts between the European Parliament and the People's Assembly and called for them to become more frequent in the future. The meeting discussed the tense situation in the region and ways to resolve it, as well as the need to create a climate of understanding and trust in order to resolve problems inherited from the past and those that have arisen more recently. (ATSH)

— EC President Egon Klepsh talks with Albania's Prime Minister, Aleksandër Meksi. — At his meeting with the President of the EC, Mr. Egon Klepsh, the Prime Minister of Albania, Aleksandër Meksi, presented the current economic and political situation in his country and asked the EC President for further political and economic support, because circumstances in the region were not favoring the progress of reforms in Albania. Expressing his regret over recent events between Albania and Greece, which is one of the EC's members, Mr. Meksi said: “We hope to resolve these problems with the Greek government through dialogue and understanding.” He said: “We think that this tension, suddenly created between our two countries, may have its roots in the electoral campaign being prepared in Greece, but perhaps also in something deeper.” In view of the difficulties Albania continued to face in implementing the economic reform program, the Prime Minister asked Mr. Klepsh to continue the substantial assistance to Albania until next autumn, assuring him that there would be a leap forward in agriculture next year. Above all, however, Mr. Meksi insisted that EC assistance be focused on infrastructure, without which it would not be possible to exploit Albania's natural economic potential. He informed Mr. Klepsh that work had begun on Albanian ports, roads and other infrastructure facilities, but at a slow pace. “A road connection between Albania and the West is very important,” Mr. Meksi said, “because it is also in the interests of the Balkan countries.” The President of the EC, Egon Klepsh, assured Mr. Meksi of greater EC assistance for Albanian infrastructure, as well as firm political support. He said that your requests would also be discussed at the EC meeting, because the program for the coming January 1 provides assurance for Albania's prospects and position on the path to a market economy. Regarding political support, Mr. Klepsh said it would never be lacking, because we consider Albania a bastion of peace in the region.

— Mr. Klepsh says this during his meeting with Minister Serreqi — On July 20, Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi received the President of the European Parliament, Egon Klepsh. Mr. Serreqi, after mentioning the importance of such a visit—not only because of what the personality of Egon Klepsh represents, but also because of the moment at which it was taking place—emphasized that Albania had embarked on a path of development, which he summed up as follows: “Let us not forget the past, so that we do not repeat the same mistakes; let us forgive and move forward, feeling ourselves to be in Europe in every respect, because Albania knows the civilized world, just as Europe is expected to know Albania.” Minister Serreqi stressed that Albania had made its position on minorities in Albania clear and was offering dialogue on the conditions and relations between the two countries. “We,” he said, “support an open policy, and Albania invites everyone to see the Albanian reality with their own eyes.” He thanked Mr. Klepsh for his heartfelt assistance in integrating Albania into European structures. For his part, Mr. Klepsh expressed satisfaction with the open dialogue and understanding shown by the Albanian side, and said he would do everything possible to present this in European circles. “We need Albania on our side,” he stressed, “because it is now pursuing a moderate policy on problems in the region, especially with regard to Macedonia and Kosovo.” As for the problem with Greece, he expressed his conviction that the difficulties that had arisen would be overcome very soon and prudently. “As for your policy on minorities, I can say without hesitation,” said the President of the European Parliament, “that it is excellent, and I will have the opportunity to tell the international community this as well. I can tell you that Albania is now a country accepted by the international community and that its policy is respected.” ATSH

— Egon Klepsh meets with leaders of religious communities — “Albania is a unique example where believers of different faiths live in tolerance,” Mr. Egon Klepsh told the head of the Muslim Community, Haxhi Hafiz Sabri Koçi, at a meeting held at the community's headquarters. His Eminence S. Koçi, speaking to Mr. Klepsh about this tradition of coexistence, said: “We all preach unity and love for one another.” At his meeting with Archbishop Anastas Janullatos as well, Mr. Klepsh was assured that “the example of tolerant coexistence among Albanian believers will remain unshaken.” Mr. Klepsh said: “This example is very significant in the face of the terrible war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.” During these meetings, the President of the European Parliament was informed about the difficult conditions under which religious activity had begun in Albania and about Albania's wish to join the EC as soon as possible. On these matters, Mr. Klepsh assured them that “Albania belongs to Europe and is part of it.” ATSH

Once again, shocking news: Engjëll Refat Shahini, aged 35, was detained by the Public Order Branch of the Berat district after committing a crime unheard of before in our country: he kidnapped two underage girls, K.F., 8 years old, and N. Sh., 9 years old. After abducting them, he quickly fled and took them to Divjakë in Lushnjë, where he locked them in a bunker to hold them hostage and put pressure on their parents to give him a considerable sum of money. After 24 hours, the minors were found by the Criminal Police and returned to their parents. The case files against the defendant were forwarded to the Berat district Prosecutor’s Office for further proceedings. The Ministry of Public Order calls on the Justice authorities to take a firm stance and impose the punishment deserved by criminals such as these. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Order

Members of the National Council of FRPD are hereby informed that the meeting of the National Council of FRPD will be held on Tuesday, 27 July 1993, at 12:00, at the PDSH Hall in Tirana. FRPD ORGANIZING SECTION