On 9 January in Tetovo, a meeting was held of the PPD Provisional Governing Council, elected at the Gostivar Assembly, at which the council’s activities and preparations for holding the congress were reviewed. As we are informed from Tetovo, the statement issued on this occasion emphasized that, during its meetings in recent days with representatives of branches in the diaspora, the provisional governing council reached an agreement to continue the changes within the PPD, without compromise with the forces that failed, betrayed, and attempted to instrumentalize the Albanian population for the benefit of foreign power. The meeting concluded that preparations for the Congress are nearing completion. Extraordinary assemblies of the branches in Tetovo, Gostivar, and Struga will be held during the week. The provisional governing council, as the PPD’s sole political executive body, also attempted to establish contact with several PPD deputies who had been members of the self-proclaimed Council for Organizing the Party Congress, but without success, because these deputies are acting as an external, non-institutional arbiter of the PPD. The meeting highlighted the need to inform the Albanian press that the sole provisional political executive body of the PPD, until the Congress, is the provisional governing council elected at the Gostivar Assembly. It was stated that we recognize no informal, self-proclaimed body called the Council for Organizing the Congress. After analyzing the results of elections in the PPD branches, the meeting concluded that the Congress would be held toward the end of January 1994.

We have wanted foreign investment and have created a warm legislative climate for it [?], but it seems that something is still lacking. Essentially, these investments do not come for one reason or another, but I believe another reason is also overlooked: the Government itself creates a warm climate for foreign investors, but this climate gradually cools as one moves down through the levels of local offices responsible for investors’ affairs. On 16 August last year, it was announced on Albanian state television and in the press that the tender to begin work on the Tirane–Vore highway had been won by the Italian company “Eurotecnica Peqin.” For this project, the government made available (for the first five kilometres) the sum of 5 million dollars, and at the beginning of the project it calculated and approved the project for the start of construction. Yet work is once again delayed. Why? Genc Lubonja, a lawyer at the Ministry of Transport, answers: “People are not doing their jobs.” He goes on to explain: “The project was submitted to the KRT with shortcomings by the district council. We also have the contract ready to sign, but the site is not clear, and this contract cannot be concluded without a building permit. Thus, the highway project has become entangled in a bureaucratic maze that cannot easily be solved.” When one considers that the start of work on this highway would break the ice for major investment in Albania, and that opening this project would provide work for a large number of employees, especially from the villages along the route, one cannot help but assign personal responsibility to those obstructing the start of construction. Mr. LLESHI

The new system expected to be approved, which will itself constitute a new tariff structure for goods and for specified groups of goods, will bring about a new financial situation, particularly by increasing the revenues paid into the state budget and making it stronger. Given that customs, owing to their financial and economic role and their role in protecting the country’s economy, are a considerable source of revenue for the state budget, and notwithstanding the fact that customs revenues in 1993 increased by around two times compared with customs revenues in 1992, “the new changes are essential in order to bring about a significant increase in them during 1994 and to ensure the continued functioning of the budget,” a specialist from the General Directorate of Customs told ATSH. The approximately twofold increase in customs revenues would have been greater had a certain group of goods not been exempted from taxation by donors, or had they not been subject to such a low rate. Such items included machinery and equipment brought to Albania as investments, agricultural machinery and equipment—tractors accounting for the largest share—various medicines, and some basic food items. Of particular note are the large quantities of flour imported, especially by private traders, an amount which this year exceeds the quantity brought to Albania by the EC. Naturally, this situation has encouraged Albanian and foreign importers to bring these types of goods into the country. But not all goods or groups of goods that are subject to these tax duties will continue to remain in such a situation. Clearly, the new changes will also be such as to cause fluctuations in prices for certain items and groups of items, but for some of them a reduction in tax compared with the current level is envisaged, and for others an increase; it is thought that their amounts will not fluctuate significantly. —continued the specialist from the General Directorate of Customs

During 1994, Albania entered the year facing no small number of challenges and difficulties.

Mutual visits have been held at the highest level, involving the heads of parliaments, prime ministers, foreign ministers, other government members, parliaments, and economic, political, cultural and other organizations.

—Address by President Berisha at the reception held in Durres on 10 January 1994, on the occasion of the New Year, for the diplomatic corps in Tirana— Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, Distinguished representatives of international institutions and organizations accredited in Albania, Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt New Year 1994 wishes to you and to your families, governments, peoples, and countries. The year we left behind a few days ago was, for us Albanians, a year of efforts, sacrifices, and challenges, but it was also the year that marked a significant consolidation of Albania’s turn toward democracy, development, and progress, and of the important advancement of reform in the political and legislative spheres, as well as in the economic and institutional fields. Over the past year, freedoms and human rights were greatly expanded in legislation and in practice; the institutions of the rule of law are functioning increasingly well; and economic reform, in its major components—that is, the financial component, privatization of the economy, growth of production, and attracting of and we demonstrated that we are determined to pursue a policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all neighboring and more distant countries that demonstrate the same [commitment] and that adhere to sincere progress and Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and representatives of international institutions and organizations, I would like to reiterate that the assistance of the countries and institutions you represent, as well as your personal commitment to providing this assistance and fostering this cooperation, have been of exceptional importance in all our achievements. I would therefore like to express my profound gratitude to the governments, institutions, and citizens of the countries you represent for the generous assistance they have given and continue to give Albania, and assure you that they will always have our gratitude for it. In this regard, the Bosnia syndrome is, I would say, a syndrome of the international community’s lack of responsibility and deficit of loyalty and courage toward the fundamental principles and laws that ensure and guarantee international order, peace, and stability. Consequently, it may also be regarded as a syndrome of the complete or partial paralysis of these principles, whose immediate result today is the blockage of international institutions (it is enough to recall here that, of the many resolutions and decisions of the Security Council, NATO, and the European Union, only one—the embargo—is being implemented, and not the solutions). The distant consequences of this paralysis, meanwhile, could be extremely catastrophic. They could encourage and permit the revival of rivalries, ambitions, and claims belonging to the past, but which could gradually replace the spirit of cooperation with one of confrontation, creating a chain of conflicts with unforeseeable consequences for us and for generations to come. During 1994, Albania entered the year facing no small number of challenges and difficulties. But we are optimistic, because the reform, with its comprehensive progress during 1993, has established a period of complete confidence in it. It has created the conditions for us to successfully confront the problems that await us during 1994. It has brought Albania ever closer to other friendly countries and nations, cooperation with which has been and will remain of primary importance for Albania’s integration into Europe. We begin 1994 with the main objectives of privatizing large and medium-sized enterprises, creating a securities market, attracting foreign investment, reducing unemployment, improving infrastructure, deepening Albania’s integration into Europe and international institutions, preventing conflict in the region, and achieving a just solution to the issue of the Albanians in Kosovo and throughout the former Yugoslavia. These, then, are objectives that require great effort and support. Ladies and gentlemen, Our path, and not only ours, toward progress and stability is made more difficult by the Bosnia syndrome. This syndrome originated with the wound inflicted on our continent in 1945. In the local case, it was characterized by an exterminatory war and aggression, and by unprecedented genocide; but it is not a local syndrome, that is, one belonging to a single state or region. No, it is international as well. Indeed, it may be that precisely at the international level it could have its most catastrophic consequences.

—Address by Mr. George Miku, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Romania— Your Excellency, Mr. President Sali Berisha, Mr. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mayor of the city of Durres, Your Excellency Mr. President Sali Berisha, Mr. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mayor of the city of Durres, Dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen, Please allow me, on behalf of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Albania, to express my warm thanks to Your Excellency, Professor Dr. Sali Berisha, President of the Republic of Albania, and to your esteemed wife for the cordial reception you have given us by inviting us to take part in this friendly gathering on the occasion of New Year 1994. I also thank all the Albanian officials who honored this cordial event with their presence alongside the diplomatic corps. As friends of the Albanian people, we, the diplomatic representatives accredited in Tirana, are pleased to note that during 1993 cooperation and relations between the countries and international organizations we represent and Albania saw new positive developments and visible progress in the mutual interest of all. Mutual visits have taken place at the highest level, by heads of parliament, prime ministers, foreign ministers, other members of governments and parliaments, and representatives of economic, political, cultural, and other organizations. The documents signed— The noblest and most important duty of each of us, as diplomatic representatives, is to act in accordance with the policy of each state, consistently and with professionalism, to develop and expand cooperation between our countries and friendly Albania in every area of activity. At the same time, we follow with interest the development of Albania’s domestic policy and sincerely rejoice at all the successes it has achieved in the interests of the Albanian people. We are pleased to note—and this is also evident from the statement by the distinguished President, His Excellency Mr. Sali Berisha—that 1993 was a year of many efforts and successes for Albania and the Albanian people, a decisive year for the future of reforms in Albania. The year 1993 has been described as the year of the great turning point, since significant results were achieved during it in deepening political, legislative, institutional, and economic reforms, and in ensuring public order and security. The successes achieved in establishing the legislative framework are evident. This framework is essential for creating a market economy, building a state governed by the rule of law, and affirming fundamental human rights and freedoms. We are confident that thanks to its efforts, which constitute the priority element, and also with the Islamic countries and all states with which it has diplomatic relations, as well as international organizations and bodies. It is well known that European countries, especially Western ones, stood by Albania and helped it overcome the difficulties of the transition from a totalitarian to a democratic regime. These countries are now committed to finding solutions to the conflictual problems confronting Europe, and especially the Balkan region. Mr. President, Now, at the beginning of the New Year, we who are accredited in Albania, mindful of the noble mission entrusted to us, wish and hope that 1994 will be a good and prosperous year for Albania and the Albanian people, full of successes, achievements, and satisfactions. May this year mark new steps for Albania on the path of development and in addressing the problems of the market economy, building infrastructure, securing investment, privatizing medium-sized and large enterprises, creating a securities market, integrating Albania into Europe and the international community, and resolving the other issues that concern the Albanian presidency, parliament, and government. Given that the Albanian nation is in Ladies and gentlemen, Albania is facing no small number of challenges and difficulties in 1994. primary importance for Albania’s integration into Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, Therefore, this visit as well—my visit to Albania in the context of bilateral relations and economic cooperation—demonstrates the spirit of cooperation that can replace confrontation, which could create for generations to come. Therefore, let us hope that this year, and specifically the NATO Summit meeting today, will succeed in restoring fidelity to the international principles on which peace and security are based, in condemning aggression, in increasing the effectiveness of international institutions, and in creating a new climate of closer cooperation between Eastern and Western countries. In this regard, I wish to emphasize that we have supported and continue to strongly support the Partnership for Peace initiative, but consider it not a fixed stage of classification, but an active preparatory process for Albania and other Eastern countries to join NATO. Although here I would like to stress that Albania, because of its strong historical ties with the West and its merely incidental ties with the Russian factor, its departure from the Warsaw Pact in the 1960s, and the leading position of cooperation it has now established with NATO, being also the first to submit an official application for membership, unquestionably deserves to be considered among the first in the process of joining this organization. In conclusion, and while wishing you once again a prosperous year, I would like to assure you that Albania is and will always be ready to deepen the spirit of understanding and mutual, friendly cooperation with your countries and with all those countries and institutions interested in doing so. Mutual visits have been held at the highest level, involving the heads of parliaments, prime ministers, foreign ministers, other government members, parliaments, and economic, political, cultural and other organizations. The documents signed on the occasion of the aforementioned visits, and their implementation in practice, have raised bilateral and comprehensive cooperation between our states and Albania to a higher level. We note with pleasure the increasingly active participation of President Sali Berisha and Albania’s representatives in efforts to resolve the international problems that concern the world today, in the spirit of justice, the principles of law and international documents, with the aim of putting an end to conflicts and preventing their spread. We express our conviction that the NATO summit meeting being held in Brussels will mark an important stage in strengthening cooperation with other states—an essential element in ensuring the tranquillity and peace so greatly desired by all peoples. Honourable Mr President, Honourable ladies and gentlemen, The successes achieved in perfecting the legislative sphere, which is essential for establishing of law, and affirming fundamental human rights and freedoms, are evident. We are certain that, thanks to its efforts—which are a priority—and in cooperation with the international community, which the Albanian authorities and the presidential institutions continually encourage, the Albanian people will overcome the transition period in the shortest possible time. The privatization of small enterprises, the resumption of production, with positive consequences for exports and imports, the increase in agricultural production, alongside improvements to social assistance and a reduction in the cost of labour, together with the affirmation of culture and education and the restoration of their natural rights to the Muslim, Orthodox and Catholic faiths, are significant achievements on the path to creating a democratic Albanian society. All of this has brought Albania closer than ever to Europe and to the civilized world. Friendly Albania has also achieved successes in cooperation with neighbouring states, the member states of the European Union, the United States of America, and donors. A certain group of goods, or goods that account for a very low percentage. Such items have included machinery and equipment brought to Albania in the form of investments; agricultural machinery and equipment, of which tractors have accounted for the largest share; various medicines; and some basic food products. Worth mentioning traders—a quantity which this year exceeds the amount of goods, covered by these tax obligations will continue to be in such a situation. It is understood that the new changes may also bring price fluctuations for individual items and groups of items. However, since tax is expected to decrease for some of them compared with the current rate and increase for others, it is thought that there will be no significant fluctuations in their prices.”[?] Once again expressing our joy at this friendly and warm meeting, arranged by the honourable Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, President of the Republic of Albania, allow me, honoured participants, to convey to His Excellency the President of Albania, the other Albanian representatives and their families, and the friendly Albanian people, for whom we feel esteem and respect, our warmest greetings and most heartfelt wishes for success in their activities, joy and happiness, prosperity and peace on the occasion of the New Year 1994. I warmly wish all those present a Happy New Year. I thank you all. Tirana, 10 January 1994