After the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Council of Europe BRUSSELS—Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said that the EU was trying to help Albania overcome the unrest in the country, which erupted after thousands of people lost their savings when the pyramid schemes collapsed. After the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers, Dini said that the EU would use “all the financial resources at its disposal to help overcome the crisis.”

European Democratic Union leadership assures Alexis Vintonjak: I am used to critical articles directed at centrist and centre-right parties. This is very common. The press reports and media coverage during May–June of last year were similar, too. I mean, I have seen a number of accusations against the DPA, but I still have no evidence. There is no step, plan or proposal to cancel or suspend the DPA’s status. So I do not know whom “The Independent” has spoken to, but certainly not me, nor anyone else in the leadership of the European Democratic Union. In an interview given yesterday on BBC radio, EDU Executive Secretary Alexis Vintonjak responded to the journalist’s question about whether claims in “The Independent” newspaper were true. The newspaper had speculated that some members of the union were dissatisfied with the Albanian Democratic Party and its recent positions. He said: — I have not heard about this and have received no such complaints. I mean, “The Independent” has written a number of things, but it is clear that we will discuss Albania, just as we will discuss other countries where political developments have taken place recently. But so far I have received no complaint from the European Democratic Party. We look forward to j em satisfied with the report we will try to get more information, but Question: Will the report be drawn up by the DPA alone, or not? — They will present a report, of course. Member parties have different sources, whether the media or their own people living in Albania. Of course, the first report will rightly be presented by a member party of our Union. And then we are sure that, during the discussions, other parties will have information ...recently, responding to the journalist’s question about whether these statements were true, I have received no complaint from members of the European Democratic Union. We look forward to a full report at our meeting in Paris and then to a comprehensive discussion with the DPA representative. Question: In view of recent developments in Albania, have you heard any comments about the way the DPA has handled developments in the country? —I have read a number of articles critical of the DPA, but in fact the DPA, but I still have no evidence. I would be glad if the media outlets making these accusations would also produce evidence. Question: The newspaper “The Independent” says that the European Democratic Union may suspend the DPA’s membership. —These are things, because, from a structural point of view alone, this cannot happen at a meeting of the Steering Committee of the European Democratic Union. Secondly, of course we will discuss the report, and if ... from the leadership of the European Democratic Union. Union. And then I am sure that, during the discussions, other parties will have additional information and there will be discussion about it. Question: Has there ever been a precedent for expelling a party from the European Democratic Union? —Yes, there has. It has happened in other countries, but it is very rare. It has depended greatly on the party’s policy. This means an ideological shift by the party or a major change in its leadership or course—that is, when it abandons our political platform. Of course, that can happen. Question: So, so far, you do not think the DPA has departed from that platform? —No. I have no evidence of that. Because I remember that the DPA, or Albania as a state, is in a very difficult position. For a party such as the DP that is in power, these are not easy times, but the question is always who should be held accountable for the tragic developments we have seen in Albania over recent weeks. It would be very easy to point a finger at one person and say that he bears full responsibility. I do not think that should be done; it is better to seek ways, through cooperation, to ease tensions in countries where there are problems.

President Berisha met with citizens of Berat

The conclusions reached at the meeting of the EU Council of Ministers are strong support for Albanian democracy because they call on the Albanian government to resolutely continue reforms in all areas, President Berisha said . President Berisha said that “it is precisely our positions that have led to full support being expressed for the government’s position, which is support for all Albanians who believe in Europe, believe in integration, and believe in their future in the EU.” From Berat, President Berisha urged all lenders who had lost money in the pyramid schemes, as well as all Albanians, not to let despair over the loss of money cloud the great achievements we have made in four years, but to pause for a moment and remember that what we have achieved over these four years on the path of democracy, reform and integration is not just one or two, but many, many times greater than the losses in the pyramid schemes. Yesterday, among the citizens of Berat, President of the Republic Sali Berisha once again called for dialogue and understanding, expressing his determination and resolve to help with loans those who had lost their homes in the pyramid schemes, to provide social assistance to those without means of subsistence, and to extend credit to citizens for small private businesses. Thousands of Berat citizens attending this meeting applauded and supported the President throughout his speech, and at the end took part in a question-and-answer session. The President welcomed the position taken by the European Union at the EU Council of Ministers meeting the day before yesterday, emphasizing its commitment to carrying out reforms in all areas. The EU conclusions are strong support for Albanian democracy The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, described the conclusions reached at Monday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union as strong support for Albanian democracy. all areas,” President Berisha said at the meeting. Berisha explained this support and the demands expressed by the EU by noting that the reforms in Albania had been successful reforms and that, in the difficulties that arose, the Albanian government had demonstrated its full commitment to resolving them within the framework of the rule of law and a market economy. President Berisha said, “This is why the EU calls on the government not to waver on the path of reforms, and calls on Albanians to support the government on this path of reform.” At the EU Council of Ministers meeting, Albanian political forces were urged to engage in dialogue and not to exploit the situation for party-political purposes. President Berisha has invited the political forces and left-wing opposition parties to every meeting, but they have refused to attend. “I invited the left-wing opposition party,” Berisha said, “but one of the reasons they refused was that ‘we do not deal with the economic problem’; this also contradicts the message they received from the Socialist International itself, which asked them to sit down and work out the best solutions to the economic problem.” Berisha again pledged to invite the left-wing opposition parties, saying, “I have been, and will remain, entirely and fully open to dialogue.” He again assured the opposition that “there will be no losers in dialogue.” “Dialogue will be pursued in order to achieve concrete results, and if you recall the most recent round-table discussions I organized with the opposition, they never left our joint discussions empty-handed. Everyone must come to dialogue with a sense of compromise,” Berisha said. The EU declaration considers it very important that the Albanian government establish and respect all international rules and standards. “We,” Berisha emphasized, “are determined to respect all the rules of democracy, the rule of law and our international obligations. We have been, and will remain, an open country.” The declaration by the EU foreign ministers expresses the EU’s readiness to provide financial assistance. This was also confirmed today by EU spokesperson Niko Vekter, who said that “the EU does not rule out the possibility of providing special assistance to Albania, in addition to the assistance currently being provided.” At present, the EU is helping Albania economically in several areas through the PHARE programme, by providing loans to Albanian farmers, and in the fields of tourism and local communities. “They have committed EU sectors to helping us accelerate development and economic growth and overcome difficulties,” Berisha said. According to him, this assistance is being provided because, during this period, the Albanian government demonstrated its loyalty to the principles of democracy and its values. have ... Continued on page 3

Interview with Mr Albert Brojka, Secretary for International Relations of the DP Page 2

Interview with Mr Genc Pollo, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration and member of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Dokle and Ruka should distance themselves from the PS’s insults against Ms Fischer Interview with Mr Genc Pollo, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration and member of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mejdani does not know constitutional law and distorts Council of Europe documents Dokle and Ruka should distance themselves from the PS’s insults against Ms Fischer Page 4