-Statement of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania- It has recently become known to Albanian, foreign and international public opinion that the President of the Republic of Albania, Dr. Sali Berisha, and the President of the USA, Bill Clinton, will sign, at the NATO summit, the accession form of our country to the “Partnership for Peace” initiative. The People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania considers this act an event of great importance for the present and future of our country. This is because it will further strengthen and affirm peace, democracy, freedom and stability in the region. For Albania, this step represents the fulfillment of a long-standing request and aspiration of the Albanian people to connect as quickly as possible with the great European family and with Euro-Atlantic structures. It also enshrines our country's commitment to support democratic ideals and to become an active participant in peacekeeping activities. The People's Assembly of the Republic of Albania welcomes the initiative of the United States of America and NATO to create “Partnership for Peace” as an important instrument for strengthening cooperation and security on our continent. THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Tirana, 26.1.1994.

-Declaration in support of the initiative “Partnership for Peace”- -Vlorë-Tirana-Sarandë and Gjirokastër- -Declaration in support of the initiative “Partnership for Peace” -Vlorë-Tirana-Sarandë and Gjirokastër- -The freedom deputy of the country Sula do country instead of deputy Qezim Agastin- -Protokollar rallies for some changes in the Decree on “Gjin”- PD These days, under the direction of the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, and of the parliamentary committee on Defense and Order and Foreign Policy, a joint meeting of the parliamentary commissions was held with the participation of the Minister of Defense, Safet Zhulali, and the army general, Chief of the General Staff Hilmi Ahmeti. At this meeting, Mr. Aleksandër Meksi presented for consideration the declaration of the People's Assembly of Albania, by which our country's active participation in “Partnership for Peace” is sanctioned, an initiative undertaken by NATO within the framework of strengthening stability and security on our continent. Later, the deputies, members of the commissions, also expressing their views, pointed out that “Partnership for Peace” is an important step in Albania's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. THE PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA Tirana, 26.1.1994.

The Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for legal affairs and human rights, headed by Mr. Antonis Vardalis, was received by Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi. At the meeting, views were exchanged on domestic policy issues and democratic developments in the country. Prime Minister Meksi praised cooperation with the Council of Europe and expressed the readiness of the Albanian government to meet European standards in the field of legislation and human rights. The members of the delegation were interested in reforms in the fields of justice, public administration and the economy. ATSH

In Mr. Eduard Selami's speech in the Assembly of the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg Generosity that has returned as part of the respect for human rights A parliamentary delegation from the German Bundestag headed by MP Ernst Hinsken, a member of the CSU parliamentary group, was received yesterday by the Chairman of the People's Assembly, Pjetër Arbnori. The meeting dealt with Albanian-German relations, parliamentary cooperation and political developments in Albania. Chairman Arbnori valued German support for the democratic reforms in the country and expressed the desire for expanding relations in all fields. The German delegation expressed interest in the progress of reforms, the issue of property and human rights. ATSH

It has been planned for 1994 PROPERTY TAX - BALANCING THE TAX BURDEN + 60% increase in revenue for local treasury + PD A modification of the procedure has been presented, so that a higher percentage of the revenue collected from this tax remains available to local government bodies. The first measure aims to create a more important source of funding for those municipalities that have the greatest need for public investment. It is expected that the overall level of local tax revenue collections for 1994 will increase by 60%, compared with the forecast in the 1993 budget, while total local revenue will reach 4.3 billion lek. The bulk of these revenues is expected to come from the property tax, which occupies the central place in the fiscal package for local bodies. Within the draft budget for 1994, the government has proposed a series of changes to the law on property tax. In general, the changes aim to improve the tax base, increase fiscal fairness, and ensure more revenue for financing local services. The adjustments will have a direct impact on the valuation of real estate and on the methods used to calculate the tax. One of the key points is also to simplify the administration of this tax and increase the role of local government in its implementation. ATSH

Journalists, not without reason, have been continuously concerned about the evident worsening of their economic conditions. The way the salary system in journalism is being implemented has caused the gap between journalists and other segments of the state to widen considerably. A good number of journalists have been forced to work in difficult conditions, without minimal work tools and without sufficient social security. In this situation, carrying out the profession responsibly becomes increasingly difficult. Journalists' associations and organizations have repeatedly raised their voices about these problems and have called on state bodies to take concrete measures to improve the situation. The Journalists' Union of Albania calls on the responsible institutions to urgently review the financial and social treatment of journalists and to take measures to protect the profession. PRESIDIUM OF THE JOURNALISTS' UNION OF ALBANIA (continued on page 6)

On 26 January 1994 in Copenhagen, an agreement on cooperation between the Universities of Aarhus and Copenhagen in Denmark and the Faculty of Agriculture of the Agricultural University of Tirana was signed.

In the center of the city of Shkodër, work is continuing on reorganizing the structures of the PD. Some measures have been taken to improve work in the branch and sections. Developments new memberships in PD