A landmark moment in relations between the two countries Meeting of the two Presidents Berisha - Herzog Germany will help Albania recover its economy and consolidate democracy “Albanians have in Germany a great and natural friend,” said President Berisha as he welcomed President Herzog, whose historic visit—the first by a German head of state to Albania—is a landmark event and a powerful boost to the friendship and cooperation between our two countries. President Herzog, for his part, said that he had come to Albania with joy and that his visit was a source of hope for the future of Albania and the Albanians. President Berisha expressed his gratitude for the great assistance Germany has given Albania politically, beginning with the visits of Bavarian Prime Minister Strauss, Vice-Chancellors Gensher and Kinkel, Mrs. Susmuth, and culminating in today’s visit. He also thanked the German friend for Germany’s valuable economic and financial assistance, both bilaterally and multilaterally. This assistance, President Berisha said, has been directed toward our priorities, and I am pleased to confirm to you that it has been used with complete efficiency. President Berisha stressed that he would appreciate President Herzog’s support for this assistance to continue and increase, directed toward infrastructure, improving the road network, electricity, water, and encouraging German investors in Albania. “Cooperation has also been pursued in the field of the economy,” said President Herzog, and the German government [was thanked] for the assistance Germany gives Albania by employing Albanian emigrants. Each person’s work supports one, two, or more families in Albania. For Albania, integration into European institutions through the establishment of the rule of law and a market economy is of decisive importance. In this regard, we have had, and hope to continue to have, Germany’s assistance. Albania is committed to a policy of preventing conflict in the region, but insists that the just solution must be peaceful and national. [The text mentions] the important role of Germany in the Balkans and its influence on integration processes. President Herzog assured President Berisha that Germany would in future, within its means, help Albania both bilaterally and multilaterally to recover its economy and consolidate democracy. He stressed that in the future we would also help build infrastructure and expand cooperation in all fields. He and Germany value Albania’s achievements and will strongly support Albania’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. President Herzog said: “My visit to Albania today is an expression of appreciation and support for the constructive policy Albania pursues toward its neighbours. Germany is deeply interested in Albania moving rapidly toward Europe, because it deserves this. It is interested in resolving the Balkan crisis and has made, and continues to make, sustained efforts.” Regarding the Constitution, President Herzog told President Berisha: “As an expert in the field of the Constitution, I would stress that if I had been in your position, I would have acted point by point as you have. You have constitutional laws, and what I can suggest is that there should be no forcing of this issue and that this discussion be given time. As for the powers of the Court…” Photo: A. Babani Photo: G. Xhengo

. After the initial greetings, Presidents Berisha and Herzog proceeded to the guard of honour for the playing of the anthems of our two countries. The distinguished German guest, President Herzog, was welcomed by Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Assembly Tomor Malasi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Alfred Sereqi, Minister of Defence Mr. Safet Zhulali, as well as Minister Abdyl Xhaja and others. Members of parliament, political party figures, heads of central government departments, and the German and ... ambassadors were present. Photo: A. Babani. The ambassadors of Germany and Albania, Mr. Klaus Felers and Zaganjoni, representatives of the diplomatic corps and diplomats from the German Embassy in Albania. Also present to welcome German President Herzog to Albania were the citizens of Tirana, who filled the streets on both sides along the route taken by President Herzog, the distinguished German guest. … with him … photo: … Military cooperation and cooperation in the field of security, bilaterally and within the Partnership for Peace, are also important areas for our two countries. Likewise, young Albanians are eager to learn German and become acquainted with German culture. We would greatly appreciate the assistance of German institutions and organizations in this regard. President Berisha also thanked … Albanians, in accordance with the Helsinki Charter, is a condition for resolving the crisis in the Balkans. President Berisha also acquainted the German guest with the profound changes in Albania, legislative reform, and the efforts made regarding the Constitution. President Berisha stressed that he considers it very …

Yesterday in Tirana, the “Joint Declaration of the Republic of Albania and the Federal Republic of Germany on the Foundations of Their Relations” was signed; it has the standing of a treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. . Yesterday in Tirana, the Republic of Germany on the Foundations of Their Relations” was signed; it has the standing of a treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The Declaration was signed in the presence of Presidents Berisha and Herzog by Foreign Minister Serri and the State Secretary at Germany’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dieter Kastrup. The Declaration states that Albania and Germany, guided by the desire to develop their relations of friendship and cooperation in every respect and give them a new quality, and convinced of the need to build a New Europe, will respect these principles in order to bring the current conflicts in the former Yugoslavia to an end soon. This also includes resolving the Kosovo issue. In the Declaration, both parties confirm their shared commitment to consolidating peace, stability and security in Europe and pledge to respect the principles of the rule of law and human rights. The Declaration confirms the two parties’ readiness to cooperate within the framework of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and to participate actively in NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme. The Declaration stresses the necessity of continuing the OSCE and supports all efforts to … (Continued on page 2)

Address by President Sali Berisha at the dinner given in his honour by President Roman Herzog Distinguished President, distinguished members of parliament, ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen, … is a … and … Berisha … among … R.F. … Madam … … was a … of … The Day … President … Mr. President, distinguished members of parliament, ambassadors, ladies and gentlemen, Today we feel [that] Germany and Albania, Germans and Albanians, have great differences. It is enough to recall here that Germany is the most developed and wealthiest country in Europe, while Albania is the poorest country on the continent. Nevertheless, our two peoples have something in common, something truly extraordinary and deeply precious, which brings them very close to one another. They share feelings of deep respect for one another. I am convinced that this fact will be a powerful driving force, further developing the relations between Germany and Albania, and will shape the bright future of friendship and cooperation between our countries and peoples. The friendship between our peoples, Albanians and Germans, is an old friendship with a new momentum. The Albanian nation has had in the German nation its natural friend … (Continued on page 2) … arrivals, we, amid many …, give way and say …santi Benshakëlaro before … that “A country such as this … has been entrusted with preserving … … something important is also … Germany and Albania … … and the Germans. … encouragement in … we are Albania. … When President Herzog … himself declares that he … in Albania a pri… … in Albania Shijon … the Albanian people want … and will enter … into Europe … we are in transit … influence on you … and within the framework and … where Sllena are …

Mr. President, Madam Berisha, I warmly thank you for your kind words of welcome and for your friendly hospitality. As the first German president to come to Albania, I assure you and the Albanian people of our friendship, of the ties that unite us, and of our constant desire for continued cooperation. The first day of my visit to Albania is drawing to a close—a day filled with a wide range of impressions of a country that was closed to us for such a long time. It is characteristic of the map of Europe that our relations reach deep into history. Durrës, one of Europe’s oldest cities, which we will visit together tomorrow, belonged 2,000 years ago to the same Roman Empire as Cologne, Trier or Augsburg. Five hundred years ago, your national hero Skenderbeu looked toward Germany with respect and admiration, as did many parts of Europe, because of his struggle against foreign rule; after the fall of Constantinople, Europe felt that it was facing a danger. Romanticism brought German linguists to your country in the 19th century, in search of the language, spirit and identity of an ancient and proud people. The history of … (Continued on page 2)

Honorable President Herzog, Honorable President Berisha, Honorable members of Parliament, Honorable ambassadors, friends and guests, Honorable President Herzog, Honorable President Berisha, Honorable members of Parliament, Honorable ambassadors, friends and guests, Today is a memorable day not only for our Parliament, but also for all of Albania. The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. HERZOG, has come among us. It is an honor and a pleasure to welcome to our country a distinguished figure with an extensive academic career and experience in the field of law. In this troubled Balkans, he has chosen to visit a peace-loving country and a freedom-loving people who have long dreamed of democracy. Albanians have always felt a natural sympathy for the German people, for a nation that has given so much to history, culture, art, literature and science … (Continued on page 3)

Yesterday afternoon, Albanian Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi received German President Roman Herzog. The meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Sereqi, Defense Minister Zhulali, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Xhaja, Minister of Industry, Trade and Transport Brojka, State Secretary for Economic Relations with Foreign Countries Belortaja, as well as the two respective ambassadors in Tirana and Bonn, Felers and Zaganjoni, focused on issues concerning the Albanian economy and regional policies. (Continued on page 2)

Mr. President, honorable members of the Albanian Parliament , It is a great honor for me, and I am moved to have the opportunity to speak before you. Thank you, Mr. President, for the very kind words you spoke about my person. It is a fact worth mentioning that I am the third representative of the German state to have the honor of speaking in this august institution since your elections on March 22, 1992. After the lengthy visits of … (Continued on page 3) Photo: P. Omeri

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Herzog - Selami The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Eduard Selami, met yesterday with the President of Germany, Mr. Herzog. Leaders of other political parties also took part in the meeting, and views were exchanged on increasing Albania-Germany cooperation. Mr. Selami emphasized the importance of cooperation between Albania and Germany. Mr. Selami emphasized the importance Germany has for Albania and thanked Germany and the German people for the assistance they have given Albania during this difficult period. Mr. Selami also noted the need for substantial assistance from Germany for Albania’s integration into European structures, for increased investment in the economy, especially infrastructure (roads, water, housing), and also in education, as well as exploring opportunities to send Albanian students to Germany, etc.