President of the Republic Sali Berisha received the EU Commissioner for Energy, Tourism and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Mr. Kristos Paputsis Democratic in the honorary elections[?] of recognition of human rights and freedoms. The EU decided that Albania should open negotiations on the Association Agreement with the EU; this is the framework of regional partnership. President Berisha expressed his gratitude to Mr. Paputsis for the political support that the European Union is giving to Albanian democracy, as well as for the economic assistance it is providing to our country. He informed him about the economic and political reforms undertaken by the Albanian government and about the favourable climate that has been created for foreign investments in the country. Mr. Paputsis praised Albania’s progress in the fields of economic reforms and the rule of law, as well as the country’s positive role in the region. He expressed his conviction that cooperation between Albania and the European Union will further expand in all fields of mutual interest. The meeting also discussed cooperation in the sectors of energy, transport, and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the need to speed up joint projects financed by the European Union.

Prime Minister Meksi’s speech at the Energy Seminar held yesterday in Tirana I propose that, in the European electricity system UCPTE, in the European natural gas system and in the European oil system, Albania should be included, with the hope and confidence that in the near future Albania will form a natural link in the interest of the common European energy policy. I propose[?], Albania in the European electricity system UCPTE, in the European natural gas system and in the European oil system, with the hope and confidence that in the near future Albania will form a natural link in the interest of the common European energy policy. The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the EU Commissioner for Energy, Luizmin[?] and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Mr. Kristo Paputsis Commissioner Paputsis congratulated President Berisha on the victory of the Democratic Party in the elections of 26 May. He expressed his satisfaction that the European Union is closely following the activity of the new parliament and the new government. Commissioner Paputsis described the development of good-neighborly relations with Greece as a positive development, from which Albania, Greece and the entire Balkans will benefit. He underlined the need for Albania, in this context, to continue building public administration and to benefit from European Union programmes. Special importance should be given to cooperation in the field of energy, the restructuring of the energy system and the implementation of an active energy policy in order to intensify cooperation in relations[?] between the parties. President Berisha said that several very important projects in the energy sector, such as the East-West highway, as well as the connection of the Albanian electricity system with Greece’s system, will create favourable conditions for the economic development of Albania and the region. The President also stressed that Albania, as the country with the highest potential in the region for hydroelectric plants and natural gas, should be included in European projects for the transport of hydrocarbons and energy. According to him, Albania can become an important link between East and West in this field.

I think, President Berisha said during the meeting, that the values of democracy have been, and are increasingly being, supported by Albanian citizens. Cooperation with the USA- a constant priority President Berisha received the First Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA, Mr. Steven Coffey I think, President Berisha said during the meeting, that the values of democracy have been, and are increasingly being, supported by Albanian citizens, but still after the hardships/conflicts[?] of recent years and this is due to the old legacy. President Berisha added that the democratization of the country has entered an irreversible phase and that the elections of 26 May 1996 constitute an important milestone in this process. He underlined that Albania is building stable democratic institutions and a free-market economy, stressing the importance of aid and strategic partnership with the USA. At this meeting, Mr. Coffey praised the progress made in our country and the support that the USA gives to democratic and economic reforms in Albania. He emphasized the interest of the American administration in strengthening bilateral relations and encouraging American investments in Albania. The two interlocutors also addressed issues of regional security, economic cooperation and Albania’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

President[?] Berisha received Kosovo education representatives Yesterday the President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, received the Albanian education representatives in Kosovo, professors Mehmet Agani, Ejup Statovci, Ismail Bajra, Rexhep Hoti and Professor Vjollca Ibrahimaj. During this meeting they informed the President about the difficulties faced by Albanian education in Kosovo, especially the obstacles created by the Serbian authorities to the implementation of the education agreement. President Berisha reiterated that the full implementation of the education agreement is a necessary condition for normalizing the situation in Kosovo and for respecting the fundamental rights of Albanians there. He called for the international community to exert pressure on Belgrade to respect the commitments it has made.

This reveals the mechanism of the execution[?] of PS’s motions[?] PAGE 3 So far, the same political party, as soon as the exercise of the authority of massacre and confusion[?] as well as the institutional refusal of governments for relief and democracy in Albania, places Nano now not with the accusing cloak of ordinary crimes but before the primary uses because of one of the country’s mafia groups. The article deals with the internal clashes within the Socialist Party and the relations between Gage and Nano, presenting them as part of a deep political and moral crisis. The author uses harsh polemical language and political accusations.

The head of the Professional Municipalities gives political guidelines Çeka, the hens and “Poli D” with Kalakule PAGE 3

Coffey praises the work of the KQPZ for the local elections Albanians express their electoral welcome[?] The American State Department envoy for elections and the democratic transition process in Tirana, the person in charge of the US mission in Tirana, Mr. Steven Coffey, stated yesterday in an interview given to the BBC that the elections of 20 October, as a process, were free and fair. According to him, American observers had the opportunity to closely follow all stages of the process, including the administration of voting, counting and certification of the results. "We have supported without reservation the efforts of the parties to move closer to European standards and we believe that the administration of the elections by KQPZ was professional," Coffey said. He praised the work of KQPZ and emphasized that the local elections of 20 October were an important step toward consolidating Albanian democracy. In this interview, Coffey called for the political climate to remain constructive and for the parties to continue the institutional dialogue. At the end, when asked about relations between the USA and Tirana, Mr. Coffey said: "In this process of political and economic consolidation, the USA will continue to give Albania all-round support".

The Reconfirmation Operation[?] bears fruit in the large municipalities Operation[?] The elections conclude according to a harmonized rule. As expected in these results, for which KQPZ provides final data, the winners of the second round of elections are 77 coalitions and 118[?] municipalities. This weekend, a new wave of enthusiasm for local democracy has gained momentum with the final result of the runoff. In the main urban centers, the electoral rivalry ended with victories for the right-wing forces, while in some small municipalities the race remained close until the final count. (the attached news item can be found on page 9[?])