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The Economic-Trade Agreement and the Protocol on Cooperation in Education are signed. The Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Neighbourliness are exchanged On Sunday morning, Romanian President Ion Iliesku arrived in Tirana for an official and friendly visit. At Rinas Airport, he was welcomed by President Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, and other senior Albanian state officials. From Rinas Airport, Romanian President Ion Iliesku, accompanied by President Berisha, stopped at Villa Kodër in Durrës, where he was welcomed by the Mayor of Durrës, Tomor Golemi, as well as senior officials and deputies. Later that Sunday, Mr Iliesku made a brief stop in the city of Kavajë, where, at the Egnatia Hotel, he and President Berisha met with a group of former volunteers from the Rrogozhinë - Peqin railway line. The Mayor of Kavajë, Selim Veizi, was also present at the meeting. From Kavajë, President Iliesku also travelled to the city of Vlorë on Sunday. Yesterday’s programme for Romanian President Ion Iliesku began with an official meeting with the President of Albania, Mr Sali Berisha. Later, at the Presidency, the Economic-Trade Agreement was signed, as was the Protocol on Cooperation in Education. The Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Neighbourliness were also exchanged on this occasion. Following the signing of the agreements, President Berisha and Iliesku each gave two statements to the press. Yesterday morning, the Speaker of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr Pjetër Arbnori, together with several deputies from different parliamentary parties, received President Iliesku and held talks with him at the Palace of Congresses. From there, he went to the Martyrs of the Nation Cemetery, where he laid a wreath in deep gratitude and respect at the “Mother Albania” monument. During the ceremony, he was accompanied by Chief of the General Staff Sheme Kosova and the Mayor of Tirana, Sali Kelmendi. Yesterday afternoon’s meetings began with an exchange with Aleksander Meksi and continued with Meksi; afterwards, the President visited the National Gallery of Arts. Also yesterday afternoon, Mr Iliesku met at the Romanian Embassy in Tirana with representatives of various Albanian political parties, including PD, PS, PR, PSD, PAD, PDD, PBDNJ and PBSH. At the Romanian Embassy, President Iliesku also held a meeting yesterday afternoon with representatives of the Aromanians of Albania and members of the Albania-Romania Friendship Association.

From the official meeting between President Berisha and President Iliesku “Your visit marks an important event in the development of the traditionally friendly relations and cooperation between our two countries,” President Berisha said at the official meeting he held yesterday with the President of Romania, Mr Ion Iliesku. Both our countries look toward a new future, bringing important messages of cooperation in the interests of our two countries and the region. Both Presidents stressed that our two countries have a very rich historical legacy of friendly relations, and that every opportunity now exists to extend and deepen this cooperation in all fields: political, economic, education, culture, security, military affairs, etc. They also noted that both countries are interested in regional integration. In this regard, the need was stressed to make efforts to carry out major regional projects, such as road and rail routes, connections between energy systems, telecommunications, etc.—projects that will also receive financial support from European and international institutions and will serve to strengthen regional integration. Both Presidents stressed that our two countries have a very rich historical legacy of friendly relations, and that every opportunity now exists to extend and deepen this cooperation in all fields: political, economic, education, culture, security, military affairs, etc. They also noted that both countries are interested in regional integration. In this regard, the need was stressed to make efforts to carry out major regional projects, such as road and rail routes, connections between energy systems, telecommunications, etc.—projects that will also receive financial support from European and international institutions and will serve to strengthen regional integration. President Berisha stressed the importance of increasing economic cooperation between the two countries and the many benefits it would bring. Agreements in education and schooling are among these. At the same time, we agreed to begin economic cooperation. (Continued on page 3) Photo: A. Babani

Applying Marxism as theory and practice would take Albania very far away from the objective toward which we are heading The PD needs commitment and dedication from its structures and activists Prof. Dr. TITAN SHEHU Secretary-General of the PDSH The country’s political, social and economic changes during these years of democracy have undoubtedly brought, and will continue to bring, profound changes in people’s psychology and mentality. Along with these changes, there will certainly be developments that consolidate democratic principles, ideas of a decentralized economy, a market economy, freedom of movement, etc.—ideas that form the foundation on which the PD was built from its very beginnings, and which the PD has undoubtedly introduced and continues to put into practice. This evolution in people’s mentality and psychology, being in step with the programme and with the changes that the PD has placed at its heart—as the generator of these changes—cannot but lead to the strengthening, consolidation and expansion of the PD electorate. To think otherwise is to be unrealistic. Failing to use these factors not only to retain but also to expand the PD electorate means either being unable to understand the essence of political movements in Albania, or wanting to do so. The overwhelming majority of the electorate is tending to move to the right, precisely the political and economic position of the PD. At the end of his remarks, on the process of stability in our region within the framework of European integration, and on the Kosovo issue, President Berisha said: “There are events that impede national processes—Serbia...” These include Bosnia and Croatia; this is an act welcomed by all the countries of the region. But despite all the difficulties in relations between these states, there is a major problem: the shared problem of Albanians in the region, and the tension and stability in our troubled region.” President Iliesku praised the handling of education in Albania in a spirit of European cooperation; as he put it, it enjoyed all freedoms and rights. President Berisha and Iliesku expressed their satisfaction at the signing of the Economic-Trade Agreement and the Protocol on Cooperation in Education, and at the exchange of the Instruments of Ratification of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Neighbourliness, as well as their strong and concrete support for active cooperation between our two countries. (On page 2)

would facilitate the rapid development of infrastructure, which is so necessary for our region. Other issues of bilateral interest were also discussed at this meeting, including creating easier movement for citizens of the two countries, cooperation in the transport sector, protecting the business activities of Romanians in Albania, and drawing on Romanian experience to help with integration into European and international structures. The two Presidents then expressed their satisfaction with the state of relations, noted the regional initiatives and direct contributions in Southeast Europe, and the efforts by Albanians to promote cooperation among the countries of our region. President Berisha stressed the need for cooperation between Tirana and Bucharest so that they could jointly accelerate all efforts toward European integration. In this context, President Berisha expressed their satisfaction with the state of relations, noted the regional initiatives and direct contributions in Southeast Europe, and the efforts by Albanians to promote cooperation among the countries of our region. President Berisha stressed the need for cooperation between Tirana and Bucharest so that they could jointly accelerate all efforts toward European integration. (Continued on page 3)

BERISHA: “I am extremely pleased with President Iliesku’s visit, and I consider this visit, the signed documents and the instruments exchanged to be a truly special and important event in the traditionally friendly relations that have always characterised cooperation between Albania and Romania,” President Berisha said. “President Iliesku and I discussed bilateral cooperation and economic cooperation, and all political relations between the two countries are very good. Agreements in education and schooling are among these. At the same time, we agreed to begin economic cooperation.” ILIESKU: “First of all, I would like to express my pleasure at this visit, which marks an important political moment in the development of relations and friendship between Romania and Albania. As I stressed together with President Berisha, we have received encouragement before, and we have a long history of relations founded on tradition and [?]. We have never had conflicts in our history; on the contrary, the long history of our peoples—from our ancestors, the Illyrians and Dacians, through all of history, and the long struggle of our peoples for emancipation and independence—has united us. The Albanian community of Romania celebrated not long ago the 400th anniversary of the Albanian [?] who came to the city, and the Albanian community has been there since the time of Voivode Mihai the Brave.” (Continued on page 3)

Yesterday, the Speaker of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr Pjetër Arbnori, received the President of Romania, Ion Iliesku, at the Palace of Congresses, where they discussed relations between the two countries and their further expansion. Mr Arbnori gave an extensive overview of Albania’s current democratic reality and spoke about the difficulties and the great work our parliament has undertaken to establish and consolidate the state and the rule of law. Turning to foreign affairs and relations, Mr Arbnori reiterated that Albania is for

As part of his official visit, the President of Romania, Ion Iliesku, who is in Albania at the invitation of the President of Albania, Sali Berisha, was received yesterday afternoon by the Albanian Prime Minister, Aleksander Meksi. The meeting focused on economic relations and real opportunities for cooperation. After briefing the Romanian delegation on the progress of economic reforms and the efforts the Albanian government is making to resolve the external debt, Mr Meksi said, “I would like to see the movement of goods and the convening of the bilateral commission, which would determine (Continued on page 3)

The Embassy of the United States of America expresses its concern about certain individuals who appear to be spreading unfounded information claiming that the Embassy will open to provide specific services or issue special work visas. The Embassy has no plans to accept those seeking [service?]; United States law does not allow American embassies to provide services in this way. At the same time, the Embassy has no authority to issue special visas. All announcements claiming that the Embassy will provide services or special visas are false and contrary to reality. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

The past weekend saw an aggressive and irresponsible act by people who insist on carrying out the old activities of the Albanian state security service. In Tirana, their aim was to force their way into the grounds of this embassy to emigrate to the USA, which is also its practice. The Embassy of the United States of America was right to express its concern about this incident. According to information in the press, and as confirmed by the US Embassy, this resulted from the circulation of false information claiming that “the Embassy will open to those seeking services for the USA.” Considering how the actions at the US Embassy escalated, accompanied by a number of emigrants acting like a “mob” of individuals and continuing until after midnight on Sunday, as well as the slogans shouted that night, the question naturally arises: Was this simply a minor protest? Or was it a deliberate attempt to create incidents and provoke a clash between governments, stirred up by “rumours” and forces taking to the streets? The way the actions at the embassy escalated shows that there was a plan within the government... (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday, at its regular meeting, the Council of Ministers considered the draft law on the state border of the Republic of Albania, as was made known through the report of the meeting to the People’s Assembly. The Council of Ministers considered the Madrid Agreement concerning the international registration of marks, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty, submitted by the Committee on Science and Technology. These documents will be sent to the President of the Republic for prior promulgation in accordance with the Constitution of Albania. On the proposal of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Council of Ministers approved a decision concerning the works of the distinguished Albanian figure Faik Konica. Under the decision, a state commission will be established to organise the related events and ceremonies. Also on the proposal of this ministry, a decision was approved to establish the National Centre for the Inventory of Cultural Assets. The Council of Ministers approved the agreement for a grant from the Islamic Development Bank in the amount of 273 thousand dollars to finance a study for the Hasi Plain irrigation project. Finally, the Council of Ministers approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union for a grant of 3 million ECU to support the balance of payments.

During the trial concerning the scandal over the disappearance of 1.6 million dollars, held on Saturday at the Tirana court, the presiding judge, Andi Celiku, granted the lawyers’ request to summon Arsidi to testify in court. Speaking to RD, Mr Celiku explained that he had sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning a formal request to the French Ministry of Justice for Nikola Arsidi to appear as a witness. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

On Friday, the presidium of the PD branch in Korçë met. Those present included the Secretary-General of the PDSH, Prof. Dr. Titan Shehu, and members of the National Council, Messrs Mirush Mati and Fëdhon Meksi. Following Mr Shehu’s remarks, which focused on strengthening the party structures, improving their functioning, increasing propaganda work, qualitatively improving work with the sections, and ensuring members’ dedicated commitment to the PD, the meeting proceeded to discussion. Those present gave an overview of the branch’s work, and several of them shared their views with Mr Shehu on the issues mentioned above. The PD branch in Korçë has a good tradition of working with its sections and supporters; all those who spoke stressed that this work should be intensified. Support for the reforms, democratic processes and recent measures and decisions on the distribution of securities, the transfer of land to former farm workers, etc., was at the centre of the discussions. It was stressed that the PD remains faithful to implementing its programme. “RD” Correspondent

On the Alia - Dokle - Benz scandal New facts