. This year, conferences of creators in literature and art, as well as the National Conference of Young Talents, will be held in all the districts of the country. Events as joyful as these show that the vitality of our art and literature lies, among other things, in the fact that every generation of creators prepares its successors in advance, making it possible for our national culture to continue. This is a process that constantly renews our literature and art. New generations enter creative work naturally, each taking from the other what is best. When seriousness in creative work is evident from a young age, this is a sign of the maturity of all our art and literature. The publication of books by authors who have not yet left the desks of secondary school is no longer a curiosity in literature. Likewise, we are not surprised when we find works in fine-art exhibitions that transcend the physical age of their creators. Young composers, singers and instrumentalists present themselves with distinction at national musical events. In cinematography, meanwhile, young people carry the main burden of artistic creation. Nevertheless, the creative work of young people is accompanied by numerous ideological and aesthetic, organizational, and other problems; much of the future of the authors’ works and of our art in general depends on resolving them successfully. This increases the responsibility of the organizations concerned with discovering, educating and encouraging talents, as well as creating the conditions for [unclear] and the horizons our people aspire to reach, [unclear] and producing works of value for them. The book of life is becoming ever more complex and intricate. It is enriched by new developments in social relations and in the psychology of young people. As such, it requires the mechanism for understanding and interpreting it to be continually improved. The key to success in knowing and understanding history and contemporary developments is the Party’s teachings and the important decisions of its recent plenums. The rapid developments our society is experiencing today can be captured by the creator’s own consciousness only when that consciousness is in harmony with the pace of life itself. An important school for young creators is becoming thoroughly acquainted with and mastering our national culture, with everything beautiful that this land has created over its millennia in the field of spiritual culture. Our artist has survived the storms of history only by preserving ties with the ancient trunk of our culture. Other worthy artistic experiences have not been foreign to them; they have appreciated and assimilated them with admiration. But one cannot benefit from the world’s experience—from foreign artists and writers—without making the experience of the masters produced by our culture in ancient and modern times part of one’s own spirit. Generations in our literature and art have always been in harmony with one another. Respect and modesty toward what each generation has achieved have been, and remain, part of the nature of our creators. The works of young creators will be able to win over the masses only if they live with the concerns of today’s society and the intensive changes it is undergoing. To this end, the most outstanding achievements of our literature and art must be taken as examples of artistic creation. Being satisfied with average assessments lulls young creators to sleep and dampens their energy and passion. The conditions society has created for the recognition of their talent must be answered with works of the highest possible quality. These and other issues in the ideological and aesthetic education of young creators must be a continuing focus of work for the Writers’ and Artists’ Union and its branches in the districts. Artistic lineage. Nevertheless, young people’s creative work is accompanied by numerous ideological, organizational, and other problems, whose successful resolution greatly affects the future of the authors’ work and of our art in general. This increases the responsibility of the organizations involved in discovering, educating, and encouraging new talent in the fields of art and literature. One of the major instructions Comrade Enver gives young people in his speech of December 20, 1974, is to know deeply the great book of life. This book, on an epochal scale, is open to all those who wish to devote themselves entirely to the beautiful and difficult path of creative work. It contains history and legend, struggles for freedom and aspirations for social progress, the heroism of the partisans and the masses’ momentum in building socialism under the Party’s leadership; it contains yesterday, today, and tomorrow, expressed in our people’s determination to deepen our socialist democracy and continue along our original path of independence and progress. Only when the horizons we have reached are viewed with optimism can—

At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, Reis Malile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov, arrived in Tirana yesterday for an official and friendly visit. At Rinas Airport he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Reis Malile, and other dignitaries. Also present were the chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana, Zhello Velev, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania in Sofia, Bashkim Rama. (ATSH) Petar Mllade[nov], and held a warm and friendly conversation with him. Comrade Ramiz Alia expressed his pleasure at Bojko Dimitrov’s visit to Albania and noted that the visit was another step forward in strengthening the ties and friendship between our two peoples. During the conversation, he praised the historical traditions of both peoples and their contribution to the centuries-long history of the Balkans, as well as the mutual feelings of friendship that our two peoples have cherished for one another. In our day, relations and ever-increasing cooperation between Albania and Bulgaria are developing positively in all fields and are progressing in parallel with the benefits and national interests of both countries and peace in the Balkans. Comrade Ramiz Alia spoke to the Bulgarian Foreign Minister about the recent decisions of the People’s Assembly, adopted in the spirit of the 10th Plenum of the Party’s Central Committee, concerning the further democratization of the country’s life, economic development, and Albania’s active cooperation with the other Balkan countries and beyond. For his part, Bojko Dimitrov conveyed to Comrade Ramiz Alia the greetings of the President of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Petar Mllade[nov], and of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Workers’ Party. He expressed [the source text is garbled here] and, in the afternoon, at the Palace of Brigades, [received] Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov, Ramiz Alia spoke of the common interests of our peoples, their sincere desire to deepen relations and cooperation between the two countries, and to further develop the ties and friendship between our two peoples. He emphasized that our country is interested in the process of developing our society in keeping with positive developments worldwide. “Albania,” said Comrade Ramiz Alia, “is a peaceful country that strives for peace and security in the world, for the democratization of international relations on the basis of full equality between countries and the preservation of each country’s independence and national identity. In this context, our country will actively participate in Balkan, Mediterranean or European regional activities and initiatives that serve the interests of peoples and their social progress.” Comrade Ramiz Alia attached particular importance to the situation in the Balkans and the prospects for resolving the problems that still concern our peninsula. These problems, he said, can be resolved through greater dialogue and cooperation, which would also serve the positive processes in Europe. Establishing a code of good-neighbourliness among the Balkan countries and strengthening friendship and cooperation would serve not only peace and security in the region but also in Europe and beyond. Finally, Comrade Ramiz Alia expressed the hope that relations of friendship and cooperation between Albania and Bulgaria would develop further in the future. He asked the Bulgarian Foreign Minister to convey his greetings and wishes for further progress to President Mlladenov, the leaders and the Bulgarian people. Also present at the reception were Foreign Minister Reis Malile Republic of Albania in Sofia, Bashkim Rama. (ATSH)

Comrade Ramiz Alia, First Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee and Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, received Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov, yesterday afternoon at the Palace of Brigades Ramiz Alia expressed his pleasure at the arrival in our country of the distinguished guest and said he was confident that this visit would serve to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The major changes taking place continually in Albania are an expression of the dialectical process of our society’s development and [the source text is truncated here]. Speaking of bilateral relations of friendship, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed that they were progressing well and expressed his confidence that they would be further strengthened in the future, in the interests of our two countries and peoples. Bojko Dimitrov showed interest in the proce (Photo: ATSH)

The advantage of the plastic bobbin The difficulties encountered by the various factories at the “Stalin” Textile Combine because of defects in, or damage to, wooden bobbins are well known; these caused obstacles to the fulfilment of plan targets. For this reason, the enterprise’s well-known innovators, A. Hafizi, S. Anastas[i], P. Tushi and B. Llagami, proposed and made the mould for producing plastic bobbins. What positive changes did this bring? A plastic bobbin lasts 2–4 times longer than a wooden one. The number of such bobbins was reduced from 220 wooden ones to 188 (and this is the maximum, according to the [unclear] use of plastic). Consequently, output in the factory increases by 15 percent, while the frequent breakages of wooden bobbins at the loom are eliminated. A mould of this kind was manufactured in the country for the first time. If it had been imported, it would have cost 18 million dollars. Its cost domestically will be 8,000 lekë, and it was produced in a short time. Its technological advantage: it increases work output many times over compared with the experimental process. It paid for itself in just 8 days. It is now possible to produce plastic bobbins on a permanent basis. Now that production of this bobbin has got off to a good start at the combine, we ask: what is its total economic effectiveness? First, by using 1 million wooden bobbins every year, the combine consumed around 240 cubic metres of seasoned wood. Second, imports of sheet metal, bronze and aluminium (which were fitted onto the wooden bobbin as a cap), etc., have been stopped. A wooden bobbin cost 1.3 lekë, while a plastic bobbin costs 0.83 lekë. According to the innovators’ accurate calculations, the economic saving amounts to 1 million 413 thousand lekë. When this machine operates on three shifts, it produces 1,200 bobbins a day, thereby solving one of the combine’s biggest long-standing problems. It is interesting to note that this innovation, as well as the precision measuring machine, which saves tens of metres of fabric, etc., is the fruit of a healthy climate created for the innovators at this enterprise by the management and the Party committee.

Yesterday, the delegation that took part in the ministerial session of the Regional Conference on Environment and Development returned to the homeland. The conference held its proceedings on May 14–16, 1996, in Bergen, Norway. The delegation was headed by Farudin Hoxha, Minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and Chairman of the Central Commission for Environmental Protection. (ATSH)

The “Pranvera ’90” fine arts exhibition opened at the “Guri Madhi” Fine Arts Gallery in the city of Korçë, featuring the best works by young talents. Thirty-six works are displayed in the exhibition. (According to ATSH)

Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Petro Dode, received at the headquarters of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov. Yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Petro Dode, received at the headquarters of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov. During this meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the development of relations between the two peoples and our cooperation was noted; the activities of the two parliaments were discussed, and the wish was expressed to further expand cooperation between them. The meeting was also attended by Bashkim Dino, director of a department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also present were the chargé d’affaires a.i. Tirana, Zhelio Vëlev, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of Albania in Sofia, Bashkim Rama. (ATA)

Yesterday, official talks were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Albania, Reis Malile, and the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, Bojko Dimitrov. Reis Malile, expressing his pleasure at the visit to Albania of Bulgarian Foreign Minister Bojko Dimitrov, noted that this visit contributes to the further development of friendly relations and cooperation between our countries in various fields of mutual interest. After recognizing the recent steps taken in this direction, he stressed that new opportunities exist for further developing relations and cooperation between the two peoples and for strengthening peace and security in the Balkans. Foreign Minister Bojko Dimitrov, expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome he received during his visit, which is taking place two months after Reis Malile’s visit to Bulgaria, testified not only to the continuation of the good historical traditions in relations between our two peoples, but also to the intensive development that relations between Bulgaria and Albania have undergone recently. At the same time, this is an expression not only of the dynamism of life in our two countries, but also of the further development of relations between us. The experience of our longstanding ties shows that Albanian-Bulgarian relations rest on a sound foundation and have good prospects. welcome, said that this visit to Bulgaria, testifies but also of contemporary international events themselves, thereby creating a prospect of more frequent bilateral meetings to exchange various views and further advance relations between our two countries. Both ministers expressed the wish and confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to develop in a positive direction and will help improve the climate in the region, enabling the Balkans to play its role and contribute to European processes. Regarding the Balkans and the problems that concern it, Reis Ma[lile]... (Continued on page 4)

● During the period from January to May 15, total industrial production in the district of Skrapar exceeded the plan by 1 million 387 thousand lekë. The cash turnover of goods, transport volume, mechanized work, and other indicators also exceeded the plan. Most collectives produced many goods and services and met or surpassed their net-income targets. ● At the chemical-metallurgical combine in Laç, creative work has made it possible to install a number of new production lines and solve many problems that arose during the production process. With a high level of professional skill, the problem of completing the panels for the gas absorbers was solved at the new No. 3 acid plant. This was accomplished by the talented innovator Haxhi Kalia and engineer Lek TusHa. Study work also paved the way for the first use of low-temperature V205 catalysts, which are producing good results in significantly improving the technical and economic indicators of production at Plant No. 1. ● The collective of the food-processing enterprise in Lushnjë, which produced goods worth 3.8 million lekë above plan, significantly exceeded the targets for 9 of its 11 product categories. Alongside producing goods for the domestic market, care was taken to meet the export plan, which for this period appears to have been exceeded by 2.1 million lekë. ● The workers, specialists and managers of the paper factory in Kavajë fulfilled 103.8 percent of the production plan, meeting the targets for all product categories. The employees have paid particular attention to increasing production efficiency. Thus, the enterprise’s net income exceeded the target by more than 400,000 lekë, while a review of material consumption standards produced an economic gain of around 6,000 lekë. • In 98 villages in the district of Berat, 359 community-service units have been opened, where 469 specialists practise trades such as tailoring, shoemaking and barbering. With the aim of meeting the people’s need for a variety of services, units have been opened at the centres of agricultural cooperatives offering repairs for radios and televisions, as well as carpentry, blacksmithing, watch repair and other services.