Declaration by Alojz Mock The European Union would benefit from a strengthening of itself on the basis of a European orientation by the Democratic Party and by the Albanian president, Sali Berisha. This was stated yesterday by the Austrian president of the European Parliament, Klaus Hansch, the same man who in 1992 showed former German chancellor Helmuth Kohl the document with a negative decision concerning Albania’s candidacy for the Council of Europe. Ahead of yesterday morning’s talks, the president of the EPP parliamentary group, Wilfried Martens, announced that the Council of Europe has postponed the final assessment of the Albanian dossier until next spring. According to him, the European People’s Party is also being asked to do the same regarding the request of the Albanian PD for membership. But, Mr. Martens explained, this should be only a matter of time. To support this conclusion, he stated that the Albanian PD is bringing an increasingly broader base and is showing signs of modern functioning. And the situation has become clearer after the election of Mr. Alojz Mock to the presidency of the EPP. “Alojz Mock, special adviser to Albanian Prime Minister Berisha, as long as he is in Tirana, will present a more objective assessment of developments in Albania,” Martens said. “As for Mr. Mock, that is the factual situation there; he is a politician well known in European circles,” he added. The Austrian president of the EPP and chairman of the economics committee in the European Parliament, Karl von Wogau, declared yesterday that “Albania has entered a positive phase of progress and that the country as a whole is moving in the right direction.” The article further states that at the beginning of the week a meeting of the joint parliamentary committee Albania–European Parliament is expected in Brussels, where, in all likelihood, a positive judgment will be given on Albania’s admission to the Council of Europe. For this reason, the same political circles in Brussels consider important the conduct of Albanian political forces toward the upcoming elections and their attitude toward democratic standards.[?]

The Democratic Party at a table with partners and time, with the Mexcthërin and the Shkraut[?] The political community of the center-right family on the continent extended a hand yesterday to the first anti-communist party in Albania, by admitting it as a full member of the European Democratic Union. A body made up of 20 parties from important European states, among them the British Conservatives, the German Christian Democrats and the Swedish Christian Democrats.[?] Alojz Mock and Pjetër Arbnori and Sali Berisha. In a statement to German television “D-Sat”, Berisha said that this act marks a great achievement for his country in strengthening democratic institutions and its orientation toward European integration. He further emphasized the importance of cooperation with European right-wing forces and the support Albania receives in the process of democratic transformation. f.3

Speech by President Berisha at the 17th Conference of the leaders of the parties of the European Democratic Union (EDU) European Democratic Union (EDU) Democratic Party member of the European Democratic Union A great achievement for the PD and Albania Speech by President Berisha at the 17th Conference of the leaders of the parties of the European Democratic Union (EDU) Welcoming them on behalf of the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, and of the Democratic Party, the president of the EDU expressed satisfaction that the PD had become a member of this international organization. On this occasion he stressed that “the Democratic Party of Albania and President Berisha are playing an important role in the stability of the region”. Speaking on behalf of the leadership of the Democratic Party and President Berisha, the Albanian representatives described this admission as a major political success for Albania and as clear proof of the country’s Western orientation. In the speech delivered at the conference it was emphasized that Albania has made significant progress in consolidating democracy, in the market economy, and in strengthening pluralist institutions. It was also underlined that Albania has played a responsible role in the Balkans by supporting stability, cooperation, and peaceful solutions to conflicts. The conference participants praised the moderate and pro-European positions of President Berisha and the Albanian government. Within this framework, the admission of the PD to the EDU was presented as an important step in strengthening Albania’s links with the European center-right political family and as an encouraging signal for the country’s integration processes.[?]

Welcoming them on behalf of the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Sali Berisha, and of the Democratic Party, the president of the EDU expressed satisfaction that the PD had become a member of this international organization.

Nano’s replacement outlined at the Congress Erman Kuka may be the future leader of the PS, within whose ranks the rotation of candidates is now beginning. Ruka may be the hope for the Socialist Party. He is seen by some circles as a compromise figure, while others consider him close to the current leadership. In the first analyses of the movements within the party, there is talk of a possible replacement of Nano at the upcoming congress. f.3

Excerpts from the Paris declaration Where has the latest achievement remained, at least in our country? It is the pluralist democracies of these times. At the same time, this is the challenge of governance and of democratic societies. Chosen policies are the pillars of strengthening state authority, preserving law and order, and guaranteeing fundamental freedoms. Through a free and open market, competition and entrepreneurship, we can strengthen the economy and social welfare. Our people and all the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe have gone through the difficult period of transformation and deserve to live in peace, stability and prosperity. Likewise, the fight against organized crime, corruption and extremism remains one of the main tasks of the modern state. At a time when our societies face new challenges, we must deepen cooperation and solidarity among our nations. Only in this way will we build a more united and safer Europe. The magic of Europe is that it is both idea and reality, history and perspective, a union of free nations and equal citizens. This is the message coming from Paris, and it deserves to be heard with attention. (Continues on page 3)

The French prime minister did not receive the “news” when Borishon arrived In Paris, in the framework of the meetings with Alojz Mock and French Prime Minister Alain Juppé, the Socialist opposition is considering this meeting a success for the Albanian government. The Socialists have asked the French prime minister to be cautious regarding developments in Albania and not to give unconditional support to President Berisha. According to them, the issue of elections and democratic institutions is still unresolved in Albania. Nevertheless, the meeting has been praised by the government as a diplomatic success and as a signal of rapprochement with European decision-making centers. E. ALLOKA