Interview with Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi “I think that Vlora, first and foremost, has such a strong civic tradition, such democratic forces, such a sense of humanity that it can understand that it is not too late yet, and that this is not a path we can take. Albania cannot be set ablaze, let alone the sea, as they were boasting a week ago. Albania, the home of us all, must be preserved…” [?] “…must be preserved…,” must be moved forward, not destroyed. And they must understand one thing: after the political chaos they aim to create in order to destabilize Albania, Albania’s final economic ruin will follow—the very country in whose name they say they are speaking and fighting. Page 3 I think that in every situation and with every kind of loss, merit and good judgment lie in trying to lessen its consequences, not deepen them. - despair has endured three consecutive invasions against which hundreds and thousands of people from Vlora gave their lives. who are fighting to win their seats by force, not to recover the money that was lost; those solution; those who seek, through protests, to defend people use your despair as a shield. But I want to assure them and all Albanians that they will be entirely free to protest in accordance with the laws governing public gatherings, which must be respected because they meet European standards. I also wish to emphasize on this occasion that nothing and no force will prevent this country’s justice system from imposing the legally deserved punishment on those who burn the symbols of Vlora and other cities, as well as on those who violate the laws and institutions. I am convinced that, through comprehensive dialogue and commitment, we can reduce the losses of the creditors of “Gjallica” and perhaps eliminate them altogether within the medium term. Therefore, let us get to work as soon as possible. First, let us transfer all the properties of this company into the ownership of the investors. In the interest of these same investors,

Parliament debates measures to calm the situation Page 2 On the basis of a proposal by the PD Parliamentary Group, and because there is no law granting Parliament the right to declare a state of emergency, the Presidium of the People’s Assembly recommended that the Government draft a bill for this purpose.

Meeting of the President of the Republic of Albania with Vlora’s government officials and parliamentarians and representatives of the Initiative Committee of lenders to the former “Gjallica” company I urge the citizens of Vlora not to follow those who are fighting to seize their seats by force, rather than to recover the money that has been lost; who want to bring down the government but offer no solution; who seek, through protests, to protect those who set fires and violate the laws, institutions and streets of a free and democratic country, because they want to use your desperation as a shield. First, I would like to greet all the citizens of Vlora and express to the investors who lost their money in the pyramid schemes my sincere sympathy and solidarity. On the other hand, I call on them and their representatives to work together and with the Government to resolve, and limit as much as possible, the consequences caused by the bankruptcy of these companies. I believe that, in every situation and whatever the loss, it is a sign of merit and wisdom to try to lessen its consequences, not deepen them. - I urge the citizens of Vlora not to entrust their desperation to those who organized the burning of the Municipality, which [?] has not been conquered in successive occupations against which hundreds and thousands of Vlora residents gave their lives. as a shield. We should identify all the possible legal concessions needed to complete unfinished projects and increase their efficiency and profitability. The Government and Parliament are determined to do so. Therefore, I propose: - The investors’ assembly should be formed immediately. - At a large gathering, this assembly should elect a board of directors to manage and administer the company’s assets. In addition, to shed full light on every aspect of the former “Gjallica” company’s activities, I propose that, alongside the Prosecutor’s Office and the Government Commission, a commission of the company’s own investors also be established. This commission may be multi-party or non-partisan, and I guarantee that it will have access to all existing documentation and every facility it requires to investigate in every respect and in detail the [??] activities of this company. All families who have lost their homes should be identified and given priority assistance through loans as homeless families. - Families without income should be provided with social assistance, and the possibility of granting loans for small private businesses should be examined. Vlora’s government officials presented President Berisha with the major problems and the severe situation created by the collapse of the pyramid schemes. They agreed with President Berisha’s proposals, but stressed the following urgent needs: - Take all possible measures as a priority for [??]. - Accelerate the establishment of a free zone in Vlora. - Speed up all the calculations and ensure transparency regarding the former “Gjallica” company. - Verify who withdrew money after the company went bankrupt. - Draw up projects to encourage small businesses. - Establish transparent oversight of the other financial companies.

Statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of the Interior According to information obtained through operational channels, the spokesperson said, citizen Artur Rrustemi was shot by people in the crowd and later died in hospital. Yesterday, too, from the early morning hours, thousands of citizens of Vlora gathered again to protest in the city center, violently attacking police forces with stones, hard objects, bottles containing flammable substances, etc., the spokesperson of the Ministry of the Interior reports. Terrorist figures inside the crowd also fired guns at the security forces. They brutally attacked a group of police officers, striking them at close range and from elevated positions; as a result, a considerable number of officers were injured. The protesters then gathered again around the police station building and attacked it with stones, hard objects and explosives, demanding the government’s fall and the release of detainees. Under these circumstances, more police officers were injured, 15 of whom were transported by helicopter to the Military Hospital in Tirana. citizen Artur Rustemi in hospital. The protesters had been warned that they would set fire to the police station building, regardless of the cost of this act. These clashes resulted in a considerable number of injured on both sides. The crowd of protesters, which had remained for a long time in Flag Square, headed again toward the police station building at around 17:00. For about two hours they threw stones and considerable quantities of explosives at the building, injuring a further considerable number of police officers and preventing them from receiving proper medical assistance. At around 19:00, the protesters dispersed and the situation calmed down, the concludes.

Statement by the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party

The Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party, bearing in mind the situation created in the country following the bankruptcy of fraudulent pyramid companies; following with concern developments and violent acts that have occurred in several cities of the country; stressing that terrorist actions have been undertaken in Vlora against the forces of the Ministry of the Interior and the Army, including gunfire, the throwing and detonation of dynamite, and petrol bombs; and convinced that these latest acts have nothing to do with the mass of investors in these companies, who want the best possible technical solution to this problem, but are instead the work of segments of the former State Security Service seeking to overthrow the legitimate government through violence, unequivocally condemns the terrorist acts the Army, as well as the attacks on public institutions, and calls for the perpetrators to be identified, detained and brought to justice. It calls on the citizens of Vlora and all of Albania, in this highly delicate situation, to act with civic responsibility and clearly distance themselves from every terrorist act and act of violence. It urges the citizens of Vlora not to follow violent scenarios, but to protest calmly and with restraint. The Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party expresses its support for Ministry of Defense in carrying out their legal mandate.

The Ministry of Health on the situation at Vlora Hospital The Ministry of Health and Environment announced that yesterday, from 7:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., 81 injured people were admitted to hospital. Twenty-six are still receiving treatment in hospital, while the other 55 were discharged after receiving medical care. Citizen Artur Rustemi from Vlora, who had been shot with a firearm, was brought to the hospital in extremely serious condition. The wound had passed through the abdomen and chest and affected and damaged the spinal cord. Despite the efforts of the surgeons and resuscitation doctors, the citizen died several hours after arriving at the hospital. Other patients admitted to hospital have contusions and fractures in various parts of the body, and their lives are not in danger. Also, at around 9:00 a.m., businessman Malja Banushi, aged 53, was brought to the hospital in a traumatic condition. Despite the electric shock administered by the doctors, the patient could not be revived. A forensic examination, carried out at the request of the specialist doctors themselves and also at the request of his family, found no signs of violence. Banushi died while loading several sacks of flour at his son’s place. His wife confirms the same. At the same time, we have been informed by the Central Military Hospital in Tirana that a considerable number of members of the security forces were injured. Fifteen were transported to this hospital. Nine of them were admitted, while the others are receiving treatment in the hospital departments. The Ministry of Health is extremely concerned about the excessive burden on Vlora Hospital. It appeals to citizens to be understanding, not to obstruct medical staff as they work, not to prevent specialist doctors from coming from Tirana and, above all, not to obstruct the transport of injured people who need more specialized care, the statement concludes.

Interview with the writer Ismail Kadare, given to the Voice of America radio service - Mr. Kadare! How do you view the recent events in Albania? It seems that the country is heading toward uncontrollable violence. - That is true, and for this reason the events of recent times have caused me immense sadness. I am sure that they have caused the same feeling in most Albanians. We must admit that Albania has suffered a severe blow. Not only has its image been damaged. Many things have been called into question. The very future of the country has been called into question. Albania, which after a dramatic journey drew closer to Europe, is at risk of moving away from it again. This will be a true tragedy. - Mr. Kadare! The government and the opposition are exchanging harsh accusations and blaming one another for the situation that has arisen. How do you view the current role of the government and the opposition? - I think that, in the face of this drama, most of Albania’s political class has proved blind, incapable, and wholly insensitive to the task of representing a people. Instead of the country’s interests, it puts on display its petty passions, narrow party interests, sick pride, and primitive vengeance. If it continues along this path, I think history will be merciless in demanding an accounting. - In your view, how can this crisis be overcome? - The only way for this political class to avoid leaving a deep stain on history is to swiftly abandon its Balkan obstinacy. It must urgently seek dialogue between the state and the opposition, and both sides must make compromises, even painful ones, in the name of the country’s interests. I also think that part of the Albanian population bears a heavy responsibility. Being “ordinary people” does not absolve them of blame. Much speculation is made with the word “people,” but savagery and anarchy are permitted to no one, not even the people. I think that rarely in its history has Albania had such an urgent need for sound reason, wisdom, and sensitivity. These are required of everyone, because they are our common salvation. We must save it, by any means, in every way, and at any cost.