Speech by comrade Ramiz Alia at the 45th session of the UN General Assembly It is a special pleasure for me to congratulate you, Mr. Ambassador, Mr. Garba, on your election to this session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization. Allow me to congratulate you on the successes you have achieved in the political and diplomatic life of your friendly country, Nigeria, as well as in your work so far in international bodies. Albania values the contribution you have made and continue to make to peace and security issues, and to strengthening the role of this organization in international relations. I express my conviction that, with your experience, wisdom, objectivity, and high sense of responsibility, you will successfully lead the work of this session. On this occasion I would like to greet Mr. Guido de Marco for the good work he carried out during the previous session, as well as Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar for his activity as Secretary-General of the UN, especially for the efforts made to find political solutions to pressing international and regional problems. At the present time, when the world is changing rapidly, major changes are taking place in international relations as a result of democratic processes, of the struggle of peoples for freedom, independence and social justice, and of efforts to eliminate confrontation and establish cooperation and understanding among states with different social systems. The Albanian people have followed this development closely and regard it as a positive trend. Albania stands for a calmer, safer world, free from threats of force and hegemony, and for new international relations based on equality, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual benefit. We have considered and continue to consider that the democratization of international life, the respect for the principles of the UN Charter and their implementation in practice are essential conditions for lasting peace. In this sense, strengthening the role of the United Nations remains a necessity of the time. Albania has supported and continues to support the activity of the UN, especially in preserving peace, disarmament, economic and social development, the defense of peoples' rights to self-determination and national liberation. We have been and remain against the policy of force, intervention, diktat and blackmail, against every form of neocolonialism and international injustice. The Albanian people fought long for their freedom and know well the value of national independence. Therefore it firmly supports the right of every people to choose its own path of development. Today, when profound political and social changes are taking place in many parts of the world, we think that these processes should move forward peacefully, without outside impositions and without undermining the sovereignty of countries. [the text continues in the columns of the page and is partly illegible in this image; some lines appear very small and unclear] Mr. President, Albania has followed with attention and has positively assessed the developments taking place in Europe and in the world. It is interested in creating a climate of trust, security and cooperation among countries, in overcoming old divisions and in establishing new ties on the basis of equality and mutual respect. [?] the development of economic, scientific, technical and cultural relations with all countries, on the basis of mutual benefit. We think that a new Europe cannot be built on discrimination and exclusion, but on cooperation and understanding. Albania supports efforts for general and complete disarmament, especially the banning of nuclear, chemical and other weapons of mass destruction. The resources that are now spent on armaments should be used for economic and social development, for the fight against poverty, hunger and backwardness. We are in favor of a new, fairer international economic order that will give developing countries the opportunity to overcome dependence and backwardness. The gap between rich and poor countries remains one of the most troubling problems of today's world. Albania considers the respect for human rights essential, but it is against using this issue for the purposes of political pressure and interference in the internal affairs of states. In conclusion, I want to emphasize that the Albanian people, faithful to the ideals of freedom, independence and peace, will continue to make its contribution to strengthening international understanding and cooperation. (To be continued on p. 7)

History has taught the Albanian people that, in order to preserve freedom, independence, national sovereignty, its own originality and identity, it must fight and courageously oppose any attempt to encroach upon its freedom. It has also taught it to strive to free and support all international actions and initiatives that contribute to strengthening peace and overall security.