President Berisha with the parliamentarians I call on the Socialists, with a great sense of responsibility toward their voters and all those who voted for them, to come and take their seats in Parliament “I greet you today and express my deep gratitude to you, and thank you for the very valuable contribution you have made and continue to make during these months to the consolidation of the rule of law and the market economy in Albania. … very great, you have amplified Albania’s historic agreements with Euro-Atlantic institutions, Albania’s very important agreements with its neighbors; you have greatly strengthened the country’s organic ties with the powers, with Europe and … your work, the further refinement of Albanian legislation adopted by the previous Parliament. I have a profound conviction that with this package of anti-crime and anti-corruption laws, you have fulfilled the great spiritual and legal wish and demand of … together, the results of the very good work you have done. But today, some opposition deputies were absent here, and both you and I, all of us, feel their absence. Therefore, once again, I call on them, their seats in Parliament. They should not think that numbers are decisive—no. I assure them that this Parliament, as it works today on a very important package, has the spirit, the will and the democratic culture to work on all future laws. Thus, it will be in the interest of their political force, which they represent; in the interest of their electorate; and in the interest of the country, toward which they have an unquestionable responsibility, just as every citizen and every political force has and will have a responsibility toward their own country. So they must come. Let them come to Parliament, take their seats and come with full dignity. Their seats are empty. We welcome their arrival, just as we are determined to use our full political mandate to enact more democratic laws, achieve European standards in Albania, and realize those standards that are the most powerful catalyst for development, integration and building the future. In conclusion, to you, your voters, and all Albanian parliamentarians there … I address you today [?] and express my profound gratitude and thanks rule of law and the market economy in Albania. This contribution is essential and irreplaceable for the reforms, for the rule of law, and for the country’s integration into Europe. In a short period, you have passed laws of great importance, approved historic agreements between Albania and Euro-Atlantic institutions, as well as very important agreements between Albania and its neighbours; you have greatly strengthened the country’s organic ties with its neighbours, with Europe, and with Euro-Atlantic institutions. Today you concluded your work with a package of laws, whose approval above all also reflects one of the main directions of your work: further improving Albanian legislation adopted by the preceding Parliament. I firmly believe have fulfilled the great heartfelt and legal demand of the Albanian people and the country as a whole. These phenomena, which will become increasingly troubling if we do not confront them, have received the response they deserve in the package you have just approved. I wish to congratulate you for this; I consider it a very important event, a major achievement for Albanian legislation. It is fully in keeping with our magnificent spiritual heritage, our cultural heritage, and our ethics as a nation, as a people who want to look toward the future. Today we have gathered to celebrate because we are determined to use our entire political mandate to make more democratic laws, to achieve European standards in Albania, and to achieve the and building the future. In closing, I once again wholeheartedly congratulate you, your constituents, and all Albanian parliamentarians, including those who are not here, on the very valuable work you have done. I wish you happy holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Happy holidays.

Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi on the package of anti-crime and anti-corruption laws PAGE 3

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Democratic Party Tritan Shehu on the legislative package approved yesterday in Parliament The law we are presenting today for approval to the People’s Assembly calls for strengthening measures to eradicate and strike at crime, and for its prevention. It is a law which, in this…

Kosova deserves to receive all the rights that belong to it PAGE 4 I think that, in general, when a people suffers, faces major, serious, dramatic problems, it can never remain silent. A people that accepts silence in the face of suffering and subjugation is a people that has given up its freedom. This is a universal general statement from which the Albanians of Kosova cannot be excluded either.

A mechanism for debt management PAGE 2

The law we are presenting today for approval to the People’s Assembly calls for strengthening measures to eradicate and strike at crime, and for its prevention. It is a law which, in this context, strengthens and consolidates democracy in general, democratic institutions and human freedom, protects it, and once again confirms our idea of a free person, private initiative and a democratic state. at crime, and for its prevention. In this context, it is a law that strengthens and consolidates democracy in general and democratic institutions, safeguards human freedom and once again confirms our idea of a free person, private initiative and a democratic state. From the remarks delivered yesterday in Parliament by Ali Spahia, Chairman of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group

As we continue to be a fully open society, a democratic society for which fundamental human freedoms and rights, the market economy, and the rule of law are the cornerstones, we will respond to crime and corruption by strengthening the rule of law and consolidating democratic institutions. This is the aim of the package of legal provisions before us today, to be followed by other provisions, such as legislation on customs tariffs, the Customs Code, the code governing the functioning of the administration, etc. PAGE 3

Yesterday, Parliament approved the commission that will oversee and ensure transparency among firms engaged in the economic activity of mass lending to individuals, otherwise known as usury. Bardhyl Pelingu, an economist in the government service, was appointed chair of the commission tasked with ensuring transparency in lending activities. The commission’s other members are Ramiz Hoxha, a specialist in the State Control Directorate; Loren Kola, a stock-exchange specialist; Anastas Lika, a specialist in the tax branch; Viron Prodani, a specialist in the Tax Directorate; Vjollca Karapici, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics; and Flutura Ahmet Tafaj, a lawyer and lecturer. The Assembly had previously approved the law “On Ensuring Transparency in Lending Activities Involving the Mass Participation of Individuals in the Republic of Albania.” Given the recent widespread nature of the phenomenon of “usury,” this draft law assumed particular importance. The draft law aims to clarify and provide safeguards for companies engaged in this form of lending. The commission to be established is responsible for transparently overseeing their work. “Approval of the draft law and the appointment of the extra-parliamentary commission will allow people to be more careful and to place their money in the firms that are more reputable,” said MP Ylli Vejsiu when asked after the approval. According to him, this law will have “positive effects,” because reputable firms have shown their willingness to cooperate with this commission and be transparent. Some of the reputable firms have expressed a request to establish private banks. The commission has been formed with specialists in economics and taxation, as well as lawyers. “I hope that the commission will begin operating as soon as possible, to respond to this phenomenon, which has become widespread and eminent,” said Republican MP Sabri Godo.

Yesterday, Parliament approved the package of anti-corruption laws PAGE 3