1995 - Realities and prospects Interview with Mr. Aleksandër Meksi, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, given to editor Zef Lleshi Question: Mr. Prime Minister, how do you evaluate the Meksi Government in 1995? Answer: The year 1995 is an important one because it is the year in which economic, political, and social reform began in Albania. At the same time, it was a year during which important steps were taken toward gradual progress for development, in the sense that the country has now moved beyond emergency and is in the final stages of transition, which constitutes a premise for development in the coming years. Question: What were some of the main achievements of the year that is ending? Answer: Significant are the indicators of growth in total production, 11.3 percent, of which 13 percent belongs to agriculture compared with the previous year. For the first time we have positive development in industry of 6.7 percent, with construction materials up 30 percent, chrome 12 percent, copper 20 percent, etc. We have an increase in exports of 70 percent compared with the previous year. The growth of the budget deficit has been limited to 6.5 percent and inflation will not exceed 7 percent. We have reduced the trade deficit from 23.4% of GDP to 19 percent, which overall has been considered a positive result. Question: What progress has been made in the social sphere? Answer: Unemployment has fallen to 12 percent, and there is still room for improvement in this regard if we bear in mind that not all workers are legalized. There has been a 20-25 percent increase in wages and pensions. The year 1995 also marks achievements in privatization. 85 percent of objects have been paid for with securities, or privatization vouchers, thus capital has reached 5.2 billion lek. It has doubled compared with the previous year in order to carry out privatization. In addition to the privatization law, with full commitment, other laws have been approved to strengthen the full legal framework for mass privatization in energy [?], telecommunications, mining, and municipal services. Question: Mr. Prime Minister, what is your assessment of international relations? Answer: The year has been successful both in Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe and in the implementation of agreements, as well as in relations with other countries, leading to the signing of association with the EU, and also to progress toward NATO, etc. Question: What have you promised citizens in the Meksi Government for 1996? Answer: For 1996 we are committed to increasing wages and pensions by 20-25 percent. Investments will also be made in infrastructure, agriculture, and housing. The agreements signed with international institutions secure 1.4 billion dollars for us over the coming years, half of which will be for infrastructure. Question: If you allow me, let me ask you a question of a partisan nature. Will the PD win in the elections? Answer: I believe PD will continue to govern as a result of the opportunities it has created for all citizens and the relations in the country and those who live in all parts of it. Question: What is your New Year wish? Answer: My wish is that all Albanians will be happy in the New Year with their personal successes linked to their private ones. Question: Mr. Prime Minister, how do you evaluate the Meksi Government in 1995? Answer: It has been a very important successful year for the life of the Democratic Party because during this year the party was characterized by restructuring, consolidation, revitalization, and the re-forming of its base and of all its structures. During this year the Democratic Party emerged from a certain apathy and sluggishness that had characterized it somewhat in the months after the referendum. It managed to achieve greater electoral success at its local level, significantly improving the quality of its leadership and elected representatives by adapting to the demands of the time, many psychological demands, and the demands of more advanced developments of the time, and we achieved this conclusion through many arguments. We achieved a level of 84% in the country’s higher schools with the leaderships of the branches; we reduced the average age of those elected in these forums from 44 years to 36 years. We achieved, according to the objectives of the National Council, 25% representation of women in the leadership levels of the party branches and many other objectives which gave the branches a different profile and created opportunities for development in a more efficient environment. Also, during this period, PD carried out the restructuring and consolidation of its sections, making them more mature and more capable in political struggle. So once again it is clear that PD is an open party. For this it is enough to mention the expansion of its ranks, where only in the last two months 7,500 new members were admitted, and

Interview with the Secretary General of the PDSH, Mr. Tritan Shehu Question: What are the main achievements of the PDSH in 1995? Answer: The year 1995 was an important year for the life of the Democratic Party because during this year the party was characterized by restructuring, consolidation, revitalization, and the re-forming of its base and of all its structures. During this year the Democratic Party emerged from a certain apathy and sluggishness that had characterized it somewhat in the months after the referendum. It managed to achieve greater electoral success at its local level, significantly improving the quality of its leadership and elected representatives by adapting to the demands of the time, many psychological demands, and the demands of more advanced developments of the time. In this period we achieved many of our objectives. We achieved a level of 84% in the country’s higher schools with the leaderships of the branches, lowering the average age of those elected in these forums from 44 years to 36 years. We achieved, according to the objectives of the National Council, 25% representation of women in the leadership levels of the party branches and many other objectives which gave the branches a different profile and created opportunities for development in a more efficient environment. Also, during this period PD carried out the restructuring and consolidation of its sections, making them more mature and more capable in political struggle. So once again it is clear that PD is an open party. For this it is enough to mention the expansion of its ranks, where in just the last two months 7,500 new admissions were made, and (Continues on page 3)

Editorial Albanians are not ending an ordinary, routine year in the history of their celebrations. For four years they have been achieving one of the most important things in their lives: freedom and its affirmation, even to the point of becoming something ordinary. It has not been easy for them this year either to refine it and also to feel it within themselves as something that cannot be separated from their future. Yet they are aware that freedom is secure and will remain so only if they continue to devote themselves to a general freedom that is made evident through the freedoms of each individual. There are still Albanians whom this year has not freed from troubles and poverty, just as there are others for whom this year has been very favorable. Even though the past years have not been a story that cannot be remembered by all Albanians. It represents the mechanism that produces prosperity, development, and security for the future. Such, within the contours of democratic development, has been this year that we are just now closing. However, the fanina that of another height allows more space, that which develops as a democracy for all people or that perhaps a democracy for the individual without damaging the democracy of others. Not more than two days ago, in a poll by an Albanian daily, 70% of Albanians expressed support for the continuation of this government, while 20.5% called for an acceleration of the forgotten reforms, while 42% are in favor of slowing their pace. It seems this year has been, above all, the year of cultivating trust. Not a trust thrown by propaganda but a trust that springs from each person, from each person’s results. To have the opportunity to believe in those who lead you is a very great achievement. At the same time it is trust in oneself and also a ground from which one can open one’s aspirations, no longer as a dream but as a reality. Whoever has created their own field of trust has at the same time also created a clear vision of what they will accomplish in the future. It is the function of a democratic state to support even those who do not believe in it. What has happened in Albania this year. Thousands of people have had the opportunity to combine their abilities with the building of the country and their own happiness. Albania has asserted itself no longer as a country that awaits aid but as a partner in serious undertakings. This year it became a member of the Council of Europe, while the political obstacle to an association agreement with the European Union was removed. The Albanian president was received with the greatest honors in Washington. Bon [?], thanks to the whole vitality and once again the determination of its leaders and their commitment to democracy. It is at the same time a recognition by the great powers of Albanians and their abilities, a belief that they belong to great ideals even though they are a small country. The Albanian national issue, and in particular that of Kosovo, has been raised to a new and higher level. No one in the world today thinks that the Albanian problem does not exist, and that Albanians are considered a very important factor in the Balkans. The recent resolution in the United Nations General Assembly once again confirmed the Kosovo issue, giving this problem a new definition. The possibility of international monitoring was increased, which is one of the options of Albanian diplomacy. Without Dejloni, the Kosovo issue is at the top of international agendas, and the highest personalities in the USA, Germany, etc. have declared themselves on this status. This year Albania has achieved the greatest speed of reforms. The first Albanian stocks were created while another link and one of the pillars. Inflation has been kept to a single digit and gross national product has grown faster than in any other eastern country. The legal system has been consolidated and now Albanians operate under Western-style laws. All these achievements are an expression of a spiritual ambition. They belong to the people themselves, who own these achievements and secure them, conscious of a safe future. Albanians have reason to rejoice in this end-of-year celebration. From one year to the next, happy holidays.

For the newspaper “RD”, Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni The year 1995 also continued with further macroeconomic stability in Albania. Thus, there was an 11 percent increase in total production compared with 6 percent that had been planned at the beginning of the year. Inflation, too, rose from the planned 10 percent to around 7 percent. Macroeconomic stability shows that the overall situation in Albania continued to improve (Continues on page 3)

Press conference of the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Paolo Forresti Albania’s relations with Italy were institutionalized only after ’92. Before ’92 there was no modern state, there was no government established by a freely elected parliament We will follow the election stage carefully because we are interested in a democratic Albania after four years of transition and rapid growth Albania differs from the other Eastern countries The year ’95 is the moment of qualitative and quantitative developments between the two countries p.3

Reflections of the Austrian press on President Berisha’s visit to Germany p.3

The editorial staff of the newspaper “RD” sends its readers and all Albanians everywhere a Happy New Year 1996, with its best wishes for a more prosperous and happier life. We wish that 1996 will be the year of the consolidation of democracy, and of well-being for all Albanians!

I wish, on behalf of the Democratic Party, to warmly greet all members and supporters of the PD, and all Albanians wherever they may be, Happy New Year 1996! May this be the year of the further consolidation of democracy, the year of further progress and prosperity, the year of national reconciliation and of Albania’s further integration into Europe. Secretary General of the PD TRITAN SHEHU

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