The visit concluded SAMI MILLOSHI Yesterday, Mr. Van Den Broek, the member of the European Commission responsible for relations between the European Union and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, concluded his official visit to Albania. The visit of this distinguished political figure, as expected, was further evidence of the highly fruitful relations Albania has established with the European Union. In the dialogue between President Berisha and senior state officials with Mr. Van Den Broek, deep gratitude was expressed to the EU for the generous assistance it gave Albania, which is regarded as the greatest assistance Albanians have known in their history. For his part, President Berisha emphasized the need for this vital cooperation to develop further, with the aim of establishing a dialogue

From the press conference BLEDI KASMI Optimism about reaching an Association Agreement between Albania and the EU; enthusiasm for Albania’s progress in the processes of democratization and economic reform; congratulations on Albania’s imminent accession to the Council of Europe; and praise for the Albanian state’s peaceful policy, especially its efforts to find a political solution to our national question, characterized yesterday’s press conference by Mr. Hans Van Den Broek, the EU Commissioner for relations with the countries of Eastern and Central Europe. At the beginning of his remarks, Albania’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Alfred Serreqi, stressed that Albania’s interests are those of the region and the EU itself. “Albania meets the conditions to advance its relations with the EU,” Minister Serreqi went on to say, reiterating Albania’s absolute priority: its European orientation and integration. “I am extremely impressed by the fantastic changes that have taken place in this country over the past few years,” Mr. Van Den Broek stressed. “It is progress in the processes of democratization and economic reform that has led the EU not only to work closely with Albania, but also to have the entire Community assist Albania.” “I would like to thank this country for the very positive recommendation made to it by the political committee of the Council of Europe.” Answering journalists’ questions, Mr. Van Den Broek praised the role of moderation and tolerance among religious faiths, stressing that Albania is a European country with a European vocation and is on the path to meeting all the conditions required to enter a successful process. Regarding our national question, Mr. Van Den Broek said that finding a political solution for Kosovo has been,

with Albania

France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alen Zhyipe, who currently chairs the EU Council of Ministers, has sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Alfred Serreqi, in which he considers the signing of an association agreement between the EU and Albania. “The conclusion of an association agreement between the EU and your country,” Zhyipe writes, “would crown the efforts undertaken by the Albanian authorities in the fields of democratic and economic reforms.” Following the signing of several agreements between the EU and the countries of Central Europe, new agreements will be signed. Minister Zhyipe expresses the support of France, which holds the EU presidency, for Albania, assuring Minister Serreqi that Albania has a good place among the states that will sign association agreements. “I am in favor,” writes Minister Zhyipe, “of opening talks aimed at concluding a European agreement with Albania.”

. President Berisha and Congressman Moran agreed that relations between our two countries are very good and friendly, and stressed that every opportunity exists to intensify cooperation in all fields. The discussion also focused on the situation in the region. President Berisha and Congressman Moran expressed concern about the serious problems currently existing in our region and the need to take effective measures to avert conflict and preserve stability. Press and Information Office of the President

. Yesterday at noon, the Parliamentary Committee on Defense, Public Order and SHIK met with the NATO delegation to review the progress of the Partnership for Peace program. Colonel Kurt Schiebold, of the German armed forces at NATO’s military headquarters, emphasized the program’s positive progress. It will soon be subject to a review and discussion, and soon to a review and renewed discussion, in order to move on to programs and details of concrete cooperation. He pointed out that the table of the 16 countries (Continued on page 2).

Yesterday at the PDSH headquarters, the Deputy Chairman of the PD, Mr. Tomor Dosti, received U.S. Congressman Mr. Moran, who was accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Jozef Leik. Also present at the meeting was the head of the PDSH propaganda department, Mr. Pjetër Pepa. At the meeting, Mr. Tomor Dosti acquainted the American congressman, Mr. Moran, with Albania’s political and economic situation during this period of transition from a harsh dictatorship to a democratic state. Mr. Dosti, in a meeting lasting about an hour, highlighted the achievements of the PDSH and the government it leads, and the parliament’s extensive and high-quality work, including the law on human freedoms and rights, the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, as successes in legal legislation. They also spoke about successes in the privatization of property and the development of the market economy. All of this, Mr. Dosti stressed, has made Albania feel confident in carrying out the democratic reform set out in the PD’s program. Mr. Moran, for his part, thanked them for the opportunity to hold the meeting, through which he learned about Albania’s achievements in its new democratic society. He sincerely praised the achievements and the role of the PD-SH and the government. Congressman Moran also spoke about freedom of the press, but stressed that this freedom must not be abused. Mr. Moran expressed his belief that the traditional relations between Albania and the United States would see new developments in the interests of both countries. “RD” CORRESPONDENT

—An Association Agreement with the EU is in the interests of Albania, the region and the EU itself. [A] generous contribution given to Albania, which may be considered the greatest assistance the Albanians have known in their history. On the other hand, President Berisha stressed the need to develop this vital cooperation further, with the aim of establishing a structured dialogue with the EU. “I,” President Berisha told Mr. Van Den Broek, “would appreciate your support and that of the EU countries in opening negotiations on an Association Agreement between Albania and the EU. This would be a positive and encouraging signal in our efforts to develop democracy, build the rule of law and a market economy, as well as prevent conflict and preserve peace in our region.” Mr. Van Den Broek was impressed by the special reception he was given and by Albania’s achievements during these three years of democracy. “Albania fully deserves our appreciation,” he said, “and this is because of the results you have achieved.” Regarding President Berisha’s request for the support Agreement between Albania and the EU, it can be said that it was warmly received and fully supported by Mr. Van Den Broek. “You will have my full political support for your request. This is entirely because we are convinced that the time has come to give new impetus to Albania’s cooperation with the EU.” It was a very telling coincidence that Mr. Van Den Broek’s visit coincided with the day the EC Commission voted in favor of Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. But it was certainly no coincidence that Mr. Van Den Broek left our country with the assurance that Albania is determined to work seriously to consolidate the values of democracy and to make greater strides in its major efforts toward its future by joining a united Europe. The Council of Europe, as well as support for the Albanian state’s foreign policy, especially in finding conference by the EU Commissioner for relations with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Mr. Hans Van Den Broek. At the beginning of his remarks, Minister Serreqi described the visit of the EU delegation as particularly important because of the timing, its substance, and the consequences and results it would produce. In Minister Serreqi’s view, the visit by the EU delegation demonstrated the deepening of Albania’s cooperation with the EU, with the aim of identifying new opportunities for cooperation at higher levels in the interests of both sides. “Achieving an Association Agreement with the EU is in the interests of Albania, the region and the EU itself.” Progress in democratization and economic reforms has led the EU to cooperate with and assist Albania. “We consider Albania our European partner, and I am optimistic about Albania’s association with the EU.” Expressing optimism about Albania’s future association with the EU, Mr. Van Den Broek described Albania as a truly European country and an EU partner with which they wished to work constructively in the future, noting that developments had taken place in recent years. Mr. Van Den Broek said: “It meets all the conditions that must be in place for a successful process to begin.” finding a political solution for Kosovo has been, is, and will remain on the Community agenda. “We believe the situation should be addressed in a spirit of dialogue, but the necessary pressure must also be exerted on the Serbian leadership, toward which we have many grievances.” will remain on the Community agenda. Yesterday, Mr. Hans Van Den Broek and his delegation concluded their two-day visit to Albania, a visit described as successful and fruitful. As Mr. Van Den Broek said, the meetings held are part of an intensive process through which we are moving in the region toward a common future.

The Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Mr. Pjetër Arbnori, today received the European Union delegation led by the President of the European Commission and the Commissioner responsible for relations with Central and Eastern Europe, Mr. Hans Van Den Broek. Mr. Arbnori presented the delegation with a broad picture of Albania’s democratic reality, expressing deep gratitude for the comprehensive assistance given to our country. However, Mr. Arbnori stressed, we need major political rapprochement with Europe, a rapprochement legitimized through all the European organizations, so that investments and everything else may be more secure. Albania is open today, and in one year it receives as many delegations as came in 50 years of dictatorship. We are building a state governed by the rule of law, and Mr. Arbnori described the great work of the Albanian Parliament, because today we are governed by laws and not by orders as in the past—orders that were themselves violated. Mr. Arbnori also spoke about the developments in life in Albania, to which Europe’s assistance has certainly contributed. Arbnori concluded by speaking about the virtues of our people, such as their thirst for freedom, tolerance and critical sense. Mr. Hans Van Den Broek expressed his pleasure at seeing Albania, stressing that you are part of Europe, always within its decisions, and that prosperity here is thanks to the Albanians. We will work for your further integration, the expansion of relations, and more important economic and trade agreements.

“The opposition’s job is to criticize, but not to criticize for the sake of criticizing” He proved more realistic than the leaders of the Albanian opposition: the European Commissioner at yesterday’s meeting with the political parties. Well informed, Mr. Van Den Broek praised Albania’s achievements in these few years of democracy, while also recalling the Hell Albania has left behind—the communist regime. Meanwhile, the opposition leaders, although compelled by the European Commissioner’s remarks, initially acknowledged “some achievements” by the government, but, as always, did not hesitate to paint the Albanian reality black. After the remarks by Mr. Tomor Dosti, Deputy Chairman of the PD, who explained in detail the progress Albania has made in these three years, it was N. Çeka who began his turn. According to Çeka, authoritarianism reigns in Albania and they supposedly have no opportunity to express their opinions. Gaqo Apostoli also claimed that pluralism does not develop freely in Albania. Nevertheless, this did not prevent Apostoli from attacking the newly formed BSD, which, according to him, should not be helped. It is hard to know what Çeka and Apostoli are singing about, since it is not the fault of the PD and the government that their parties cannot reach 300 members, and that they are in parliament only temporarily and as long as the PD allows. And yet no one can say that they supposedly have no opportunity to “express their opinions”—quite the contrary. Pellumbi certainly reinforced the same line, while also wishing to assure Mr. Van Den Broek that the socialists are no longer what they were three years ago, when they were called communists. The hand itself was pointing to the wound. In any case, European Commissioner Mr. Van Den Broek repeated in his remarks that Albania deserves to be closer to Europe. This fact will also be taken into account at the Council of Ministers of the EC meeting to be held in the middle of this year. Van Den Broek also had some advice for the opposition: “The opposition’s job is to criticize, but not to criticize for the sake of criticizing,” he said, stressing that Albania needs the constructive cooperation of all political forces. It would be good if the opposition leaders were at least as realistic and well-intentioned toward Albania as foreign dignitaries are.

The newly elected chairman of the Austrian People’s Party, Wolfgang Schuessel, will take the post of foreign minister, the party announced after a meeting of its executive. Schuessel, 49, the current economy minister, will succeed 60-year-old Alois Mok, who is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Mok announced his resignation on Sunday. Schuessel’s successor at the Ministry of the Economy will be 43-year-old Johannes Ditz, state secretary at the Ministry of Finance. Schuessel will accompany the Austrian President on his upcoming visit to Albania.

Today is the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi camp at Dachau, near the city of Munich. A series of ceremonies have been planned to mark the occasion. The government of the State of Bavaria, the DPA news agency reports, held a minute of silence today in the state parliament, where the parliament’s president, Johan Boem, said that the past must never be forgotten. Around 2,000 former prisoners and 100 veterans of the U.S. 42nd Infantry Division, which liberated the camp on April 29, 1945, will take part in the ceremony to be held in Dachau on Sunday. From 1933 to 1945, 32,000 people died in the Dachau camp. It was the first Nazi camp in Germany and was also turned into a center for training German SS tank troops.

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