President Berisha left for Italy Yesterday at midday, President of the Republic Sali Berisha left for Italy, where he will attend the FAO World Summit, currently being held in Rome. Today President Berisha will deliver a special speech at the Summit. At Rinas Airport, President Berisha was seen off by Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi, other members of the government, etc.

Italian President Skalfaro received President Berisha Skalfaro: It is time for a third visit to your country Italian President Skalfaro received President Berisha Italy’s continued support for Albania Skalfaro: It is time for a third visit to your country President of the Republic Sali Berisha, who arrived in Rome yesterday to attend the FAO Summit, was received by the President of the Italian Republic, Oskar Luixi Skalfaro. Skalfaro and Berisha, in the journalists' premises, exchanged messages of friendship and cooperation between our two peoples and countries. “I welcome you as President of Albania, and you as a personal friend of your country,” Skalfaro told Berisha. “We are two peoples who have shared much in terms of values and history, during which we have established ties of friendship and cooperation. But modern times,” Skalfaro said, “are bringing us even closer. I have been to Albania twice; I know and particularly admire you, and Skalfaro said. Italy has supported you and continues to support you; it sees with pleasure a friendly country across the sea that is recovering rapidly. For his part, Berisha praised Italy’s support, and especially President Skalfaro’s, for democratic developments in Albania and its efforts toward European integration. “The Albanian people,” Berisha told Skalfaro, “are grateful to Italy, the Italian government, Italian families and Italian taxpayers for the solidarity shown toward Albania.” For his part, Skalfaro pledged further friendship and support for Albania. Meanwhile, at the FAO World Summit, he is following the proceedings

The World Bank announces in its report Nearly 350 projects to improve infrastructure in rural areas of Albania. 6,000 small loans supporting Albanian farmers, which so far have been repaid in full, reports the BBC. - Nearly 350 projects to improve infrastructure in rural areas of Albania. - 6,000 small loans supporting Albanian farmers, which so far have been repaid in full, reports the BBC. For a year and a half, the World Bank has supported Albania. During this period, it has distributed nearly 6,000 small loans to support reports the BBC. In its weekly bulletin, the World Bank reported the success of its projects in Albania. It chose Albania as an example among the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia for its rural development project. In February 1995, the Bank approved a loan of six million dollars to help the Albanian government finance a rural development project. This project had been preceded by World Bank financing of 2.4 million dollars to alleviate poverty in Albania’s rural areas, which began in 1993. The project’s two main components—improving village infrastructure and providing small loans to farmers—were accompanied by broad participation; combined in various projects, they were carried out in 350 such projects across 28 districts of Albania. Projects, the World Bank announced in its weekly bulletin, were selected by villages and communes and included the resurfacing of damaged roads; supplying villages with water; small-scale irrigation schemes; bridges, schools and medical centres. Under the small-loan component, around 150 village loan funds were established, and more than 6,000 loans were distributed, averaging around 400 dollars each. The loan decision is made by a small three-member committee elected by the villagers. According to the World Bank’s news bulletin, the loans have been repaid in full.

President Berisha received the Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Panagiotis Gennimatas Assessing the assistance and support provided to Albania by the European Investment Bank, President Berisha described cooperation with the Bank as very good and stressed that intensifying bilateral cooperation is a priority of particular importance. “I am pleased,” President Berisha said, “that you are coming at a time when Albania offers many opportunities to foreign investors, and I will ask you to identify the most profitable sectors of the economy for you, which are undoubtedly also of interest for the development of our economy.” Mr Gennimatas, describing Albania as a country undergoing major and rapid changes, said he was optimistic that profitable investment could be made in many sectors, such as infrastructure, energy, tourism, etc. Praising Albania’s efforts to meet the criteria for an association agreement with the EU, he assured President Berisha that the European Investment Bank was committed to supporting you and contributing in this direction.

Prime Minister Meksi on Albania-EIB relations Albania and the EIB (European Investment Bank) have begun fruitful cooperation with an investment of 12 million ECU, an investment of 12 million ECU to be made by the EIB for the 220 kV substation in Vlora and the Fier-Vlora line. Important infrastructure projects have also been signed for the Tirana-Durrës road, the Port of Durrës and the Durrës-Qafthanë road, which are co-financed by the European Bank and the Italian Government’s PHARE programme. The successful talks between Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi and EIB Vice-President Gennimatas, which lasted until late at night, have paved the way for the road and a number of other investments in Albania by the EIB, as well as for many [interested parties?] to help develop the Albanian economy. After his meeting with Gennimatas, Prime Minister Meksi expressed his optimism to RD about the future of relations and cooperation between Albania and the EIB, stating that the projects signed by the two sides would have an impact on Albania’s economic development. The EIB is regarded today by economic experts in various countries as one of the most important institutions providing assistance to the economies of Eastern and Central European countries. Negotiations between Albania and the EIB had begun the previous month for a loan in the energy sector, which was finalised with the visit to Albania of Vice-President Gennimatas. What Prime Minister Meksi values most in relations between the EIB and Albania is not only the agreements that have been finalised, but also the further prospects for the EIB’s economic investments in Albania. For his part, Gennimatas has expressed satisfaction with the signed agreement and the EIB-Albania plans for the next 3–4 years. Mr Prime Minister, what is the purpose of the EIB Vice-President’s visit to Albania? What was achieved, and what are the prospects for this cooperation? - The European Investment Bank is involved in a number of programmes in Albania. The main reason for their visit to Albania was the signing of an agreement in the energy sector. Other important programmes include co-financing with the PHARE programme of the road from Vora to Durrës, which is one of the main and busiest roads in Albania’s infrastructure. There is also the project for the Port of Durrës, as well as discussion of other possible projects for Albania to be included in the framework agreement to be drawn up next year between the European Bank for a period of 3–4 years. Other infrastructure projects under discussion include the terminal at Rinas Airport, which was of interest to their side; the airport in Saranda; the Port of Vlora; and other future projects, such as the road to Dibër and the road to Prishtina through the Fan River valley, as well as other projects involving the Bank’s investments in telecommunications and projects with an environmental impact, such as afforestation, protection of water reservoirs and supplying cities with water. I think these are projects that will have an impact on Albania’s economic development. The experience with this bank so far has been quite positive. The projects now being approved are the energy project and the project for the Tirana-Durrës road and the Port of Durrës, together with the Durrës-Qafthanë road, which is programme. B.KASMI

Prime Minister Meksi praised the important role of the PRPD in the processes of developing and consolidating democracy alongside the PD. He also expressed gratitude to the DEMYC forum, which has supported and assisted the PD with its experience. DEMYC representatives, through Oti Reifold, [praised?] the PD’s strong role in the processes of consolidation and the successful development of Albania, to which the PRPD has also made a special contribution. They expressed satisfaction with the friendly atmosphere of the greetings exchanged and those to follow. The meeting was attended by PRPD chairman Krasniqi and other members of the leadership.

After meetings and talks with the Polish Minister of Defense and senior officials, and after the signing of the Agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, the delegation set off for Austria. Led by Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali, it also took part in other activities. The day before yesterday, on the final day of the visit, Minister of Defense Zhulali and the members of the delegation visited the military flotilla in Gdynje, the naval port, as well as its facilities. Yesterday, Minister of Defense Safet Zhulali returned home.

Speech by the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy PAGE 3