An exposition by President of the Republic Sali Berisha “Three years of PD government, the commitments and their fulfillment” No political force has done as much for the Albanian people as the PD, one of its own parties, one Parliament and the PDSH This book shows: - How Albania was transformed from “the land of great misery” into a center of attention for the economy on the peninsula, “the engine of Europe” into an “Albanian miracle of success” - What the revolt of the “hungry citizen” brought, toward the spirit of the “free people” - That democrats have the right to be supported by their electorate - Why Albania ranks first in the pace of economic growth; - This book, published in Albanian, English and French, will be a mirror of Albania’s success, its democratization, the success of market reform and all-round developments in all spheres of life. In a televised interview given to Italy’s “TMC”, President Berisha declared yesterday that Albania, thanks to the determination of the people and the democratic political class, is moving at a dizzying pace and that anyone who does not know today’s Albania can only think of it as “such a wonder”. “Likewise, reforms are now being carried out in areas where our country has lagged far behind. We are moving at a very fast pace to approach the average of European countries. First of all, I mean the transformation of industry, telecommunications, trade, agriculture and the acceleration of economic development”. “We believe deeply in the peaceful path of progress. From the first day, the institutions emerging from the elections of 22 March 1992 established political pluralism and human rights as fundamental rights, previously unknown,” said President Berisha. “We are aware that we still have much to do. There are problems that remain unresolved, especially in certain areas of reform, and I believe we will succeed.” President Berisha praised Italy’s stance toward Albania as an important contribution to the process of democratization and the country’s economic development. “Italy is one of Albania’s most important partners. It is the country that hopes, sooner than any other, to help Albania achieve its objectives. Of course, Italy is an important country in every respect. Its personalities have always been with us, and its government has always found ways to help us,” said President Berisha. (A.T.SH)

Prime Minister Meksi received the vice president of the E.I.B., Mr. Cummins Yesterday morning, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi received the vice president of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Cummins, and the delegation accompanying him during the visit to our country. Together with him, Prime Minister Meksi discussed the role this bank should play in helping to implement the government’s main priorities. “Tirana and several cities of the country, - said the Prime Minister, - have been invested by EBRD for sanitation and drinking water supply, but we must move faster in this direction. The sewage systems are still in such a state that they require a radical transformation, and we expect a major contribution from the E.I.B.” For his part, Mr. Cummins, after congratulating the Albanian government on the ongoing reform and modernization of the economy, said that he considered the development of projects for financing Albania’s infrastructure to be of interest. “We have the possibility to finance concrete projects related to industrial centers, the modernization of ports and roads, as well as electricity efficiency,” said Mr. Cummins. On their part, Deputy Minister of Transport Mr. Llalla and the Governor of the Bank of Albania Mr. Luniku presented to those present the country’s most urgent needs, such as the construction of new roads, the modernization of ports and existing roads, the establishment of the telecommunications system, etc. The E.I.B. representatives were also interested in the telecommunications and electricity sectors, as well as in financing important projects in the future. The meeting was also attended by the Italian ambassador in Tirana and other representatives of the Albanian government. (A.T.SH)

- Press conference by the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Paolo Foresti, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Italian Republic On 2 June 1948 the Italian Republic was proclaimed, and the long-term, far-sighted division of Italy’s political class has favored a fruitful, participatory dialogue oriented toward network development, respect, and the center of it all. “Today, our aims are clear,” Ambassador Foresti said, “and they are linked to efforts to find joint solutions to common problems.” Dwelling on Albanian-Italian relations, Ambassador Foresti said that Italy has been and remains the main supporter of Albania in these difficult years of transition. “Italy has positively գնահատed Albania’s progress on the road to democratic reforms and a market economy. Your country is irreversibly oriented toward European integration. On this path we are and will remain by your side. Italy’s assistance to Albania in recent years has been the largest ever given to your country by a single country.” The Italian diplomat said that in the future Italian aid will mainly focus on infrastructure, agriculture, food industry, telecommunications, culture, etc. A special place in this regard is also held by Italian investment. “Italy is the first investor in Albania, and it is also your country’s main partner.” Emphasizing the importance of cultural cooperation between the two countries, Mr. Foresti underlined that Italy has always been present in preserving European values and traditions in Albania. The Italian ambassador stressed that joint efforts in the fight against crime and clandestine migration are among the main challenges of our time. (Page 3) Italian Ambassador Foresti

* IN THE FIELD OF POLITICS PRIME MINISTER A. MEKSI RECEIVED THE DELEGATION OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF THE WORK AND EMPLOYMENT CHAMBERS YESTERDAY [?] IN THE FIELD OF JUSTICE THE SECOND PACKAGE WAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE FOR THE PROTECTION OF WORK AND EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION THE WORK PROGRAM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE SOCIAL FIELD Increase in pensions and wages Ability and health for health IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH Treshja technology for specialists of infectious diseases IN THE FIELD OF THE INTERIOR The police uncovered 3,410 criminal offenses in 4 years In the field of local government WORK JA PLANE?

Soreqi: “There can be no solution to the problem of the former Yugoslavia without the participation of Albanians” Yesterday in Vienna, on the occasion of the meeting of the foreign ministers of the countries of the Visegrad Cooperation Council with their counterparts from the 15 countries of the European Union and associated countries, attended by Albania’s Foreign Minister, Alfred Serreqi, he held talks with Mr. Paul de Keersmaeker, foreign minister of Belgium, Mrs. Emma Bonino, minister for European affairs of Italy, Mr. François de Donnea, minister of state of Belgium, Mr. Herbert Salber, chairman of the Group for the former Yugoslavia in the European Commission, etc. These officials praised as highly constructive Albania’s position on the problems of Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia. For his part, Minister Serreqi stressed in his speech at the session that “the Albanian question represents one of the main problems of the region, but its solution must be achieved peacefully and through intra-Albanian dialogue, referring to the protection of international standards for human rights and minority rights.” He underlined that the absence of Albanians from the treatment of the former Yugoslavia problem would be a serious shortcoming. According to Minister Serreqi, safeguarding stability and peace in the Balkans requires the involvement of all interested parties and respect for the legitimate rights of the peoples of the region. ATSH

Overweight too, the President of the Republic, satire satire On 1 June, International Children’s Day, the democratic children’s class organized various activities. At the center of them was also the celebration organized by the association of democratic women, which gathered hundreds of children in Tirana. President of the Republic Sali Berisha also attended, and speaking with the children he said that they are the great joy of parents and of the country’s future. In this festive atmosphere, gifts and toys were also distributed to the children, while the organizers emphasized the importance of supporting the younger generation. (To be continued on page 3)

Yesterday afternoon in the premises of the “Dajti” Hotel, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly of Korea, Mr. Pak, gave a press conference presenting ideas for cooperation and the development of relations between the two countries. He highly praised the role of PD deputies in the democratic processes and emphasized the need to deepen parliamentary cooperation. Afterwards, the delegation held meetings with other political representatives. ATSH

Historical contemporary performance or “The leadership at the service of the SP” Social Democratic MP Gëzim Reskuli makes a pointless or knowingly attack on the SD decision, part of the convention page 4

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