Today, at the Ministry of Defence, the military cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Defence of Albania and that of Turkey was signed, which includes several areas of bilateral cooperation. In this framework, exchanges of visits, training, and technical assistance were discussed. Representatives of both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening military relations and considered the agreement a positive step. ATSH

Alfred Serreqi, Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, is expected to make a visit to Athens soon, where he will meet with senior Greek officials. The visit is intended to help strengthen bilateral dialogue and address issues of mutual interest. ATSH

-By word, a “socialist” state does not impose taxes, but in practice it takes 42% of workers’ income- Much has been written and said recently about the tax on wages and on profits. The opposition has raised all kinds of smoke screens and has found it improper to derive political gains from such a thing. In recent days there have been particular reactions, both from anti-government circles and from the population. It is natural that the public needs to be explained what this tax is and why it is paid. Meanwhile, the opposition has used this occasion to engage in demagoguery, speaking of “impoverishing the people,” “additional taxes,” and the like. In reality, with the transition to a market economy, the state cannot continue to bear the full burden of many social expenses, as the previous system did with entirely different mechanisms. State social support remains necessary, but it also requires real financial resources. The tax on wages and the tax on profits are normal instruments of a modern state. They serve to cover public spending, pensions, economic assistance, education, health care, and other services. There can be no state without revenue. Yet when the government tries to build a fairer fiscal system, those who yesterday took much more from citizens now pretend to be concerned about them. Let us remember how much social insurance cost workers under the previous system and how much it costs today. Let us compare the level of past contributions with current ones. For many years, in the name of the “social state,” workers bore a very heavy real burden, even if it was not always visible. Assistance for vulnerable groups, pensioners, poor families, and the unemployed cannot be secured without everyone’s participation. This is precisely where the principle of social solidarity lies. Under reform conditions, revenues collected through the tax system are necessary for the state to support the weakest categories. If these resources are lacking, then precisely those who need help most will be harmed. Therefore, the debate over the tax should not be handled with political shouting, but with arguments and civic responsibility. No one welcomes a heavier burden, but everyone must understand that society cannot move forward without a shared contribution. Instead of slogans, the economic and social truth must be seen. The country’s recovery and social support require everyone’s contribution.

-If I speak, will Nano be denounced by justice? When will Albania join the Council of Europe? The polemics over the prosecution and the case of Fatos Nano continue, while the daily press broadly comments on political and institutional developments. The newspaper also dwells on the possibility of Albania’s membership in the Council of Europe, addressing the conditions and standards that are required. EDI PALOKA

Only not the Albanians This question is being raised at a time when the country is facing numerous political and economic challenges. According to the article, there are certain interests that seek to provoke tension and insecurity, but these cannot be identified with the interests of the Albanian people. The author argues that stability is a fundamental condition for reforms, for economic recovery, and for the country’s integration. For this reason, any attempt to incite destabilization is seen as harmful to Albania and its citizens. KARLI BUSHATI

-The value of the donated instruments, equipment and medicines amounts to 30 thousand dollars- Under the care of the chairman of the Farmers’ Cooperation and the general administrator of the Livestock Food Enterprise of the Gjirokastër District, Dr. Mavriq Kalaja, a ceremony was held for the handover of humanitarian aid. As part of this aid, vaccines, medicines, veterinary instruments, and various equipment for clinics and veterinary services were donated. The donor was the “Association of Veterinary Friends of Poland,” while the aid was assessed as very important for improving veterinary services and livestock production. FATOS ÇOÇOLI

M. Xhaferri receives the Foreign Minister, Alfred Serreqi, the decoration of merit “For peace and friendship.” Afterwards, M. Xhaferri briefly addressed the guests. M. Alfred Serreqi, in his speech, after thanking the head of the NATO delegation, Admiral I.[?], on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Albanian government, expressed his satisfaction at having a NATO delegation as guests in our country. Later, M. Xhaferri held talks with the members of the NATO military delegation, headed by Vice Admiral Claude Blanc. The talks focused on finding ways and opportunities to intensify Albania’s relations with NATO structures. M. Xhaferri stated that Albania is determined to deepen cooperation with NATO, within the framework of the “Partnership for Peace” program. The Minister of Defence of Albania informed the guests about democratic developments in the country and about the reforms in the army, describing them as a continuous process. For his part, Vice Admiral Claude Blanc praised Albania’s progress and expressed NATO’s readiness to help strengthen further ties. ATSH