Yesterday morning at 10 o’clock, in one of the halls of the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, the meeting of the Ministers of Energy of the Balkan States began its work. The meeting is attended by the delegation of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria, headed by Nikola Todoriev, minister and chairman of the Energy Committee; the delegation of the Hellenic Republic, headed by Georgios Apostolakis, Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Technology; the delegation of Romania, headed by Adrian Georgescu, Minister of Electric Energy; the delegation of the Republic of Turkey, headed by Fehrettin Kurt, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the delegation of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, headed by Stevan Santo, member of the Federal Executive Committee and Federal Secretary for Energy and Industry; and the delegation of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania, headed by Doctor of Technical Sciences Besnik Bekteshi, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy. Also present at the meeting were Pali Miska, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the PSR of Albania; Foreign Minister Reis Malile; Foreign Trade Minister Shane Korbeci; Bujar Kolaneci, chairman of the State Planning Commission; and Ajet Ylli, chairman of the Committee for Science and Technology. The heads of the diplomatic missions of the Balkan states in Tirana were also present. The meeting was opened by the head of the Albanian delegation, Dr. Besnik Bekteshi, who said, among other things: “It is truly a special occasion for me to have here the Balkan countries. On this occasion, allow me once again to welcome you and greet the delegations participating in this meeting. The development of comprehensive good-neighbourly relations with the countries of the region,” he continued, “has been and remains a constant guiding principle of the foreign policy of the PSRA. At the same time, it is committed to multilateral activities in the region, convinced that in this way it serves the process of Balkan cooperation. We believe that recent developments in the Balkans and Europe further increase the importance of this cooperation.” (Continued on page 2)

Yesterday the Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly, Comrade Ramiz Alia, received the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Parliament, Flaminio Pikoli. Present at the reception were Sihat Tozaj, Secretary of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly; Rolanda Dimitri, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the People’s Assembly; and Bashkim Dino, department director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also present was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to Tirana, Xhorxhio de Andreis. In his conversation with the Italian parliamentarian, Comrade Ramiz Alia pointed out that, as neighbours, the peoples of our two countries cannot but wish and strive for the friendship between them and comprehensive cooperation to develop continuously, for their benefit and in the interests of peace. “Alia, we wish to have not only a friendly country, but also an important partner in economic, trade, cultural, technical and other exchanges. Both sides,” he added, “should strive to make Albanian-Italian relations not only an example of good neighbourliness, but also a factor of stability, peace and security in our region.” “Parliamentarians,” Comrade Ramiz Alia stressed, “as direct representatives of the peoples and interpreters of their thoughts and aspirations, have a special role to play in this regard.” He added that meetings between prominent figures of the two countries and the exchange of ideas and views on issues of mutual interest are always useful. He expressed his pleasure at the friendly and working ties being established between the Italian Parliament and the People’s Assembly of Albania. ... [text continues in the cut-off section] ne, Comrade Ramiz Alia pointed out that the peoples of our two countries, being neighbors, cannot help but wish and strive for their friendship and comprehensive cooperation to develop uninterruptedly, for the benefit of their interests and peace. He emphasized that there are no obstacles to the friendly relations and cooperation between our two countries developing at a faster pace and becoming more fruitful in all fields. The favorable political atmosphere that exists between the two countries and the favorable conditions taking shape in international relations, he declared, should serve to establish lasting, forward-looking cooperation in all sectors where there is mutual interest and which serve both countries in advancing the prosperity of both peoples. In Italy, declared Comrade Ramiz Alia, just as we came to Albania as representatives of Italy’s three largest political forces, we were united by the desire to find new ways to strengthen cooperation between our two countries. I can tell you that yesterday and today we have done good work together. Now we must work to encourage our governments to put these efforts into concrete form. Today I also met with the minister attached to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Countries, Farudin Hoxha, and we agreed that relations in the economic field should be further developed. We greatly appreciate, Flaminio Pikoli pointed out, the sincerity with which you spoke to us about all the issues. The positions of Albania that you have expressed to us, Mr. President, cannot but be viewed by us with great sympathy. The reception took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. (ATSH) (Photo: ATSH)

It is a special pleasure for me, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and in my own name, to send the First Meeting of the Ministers of Energy of the Balkan States my greetings and best wishes for fruitful work and full success. It is a special pleasure for me, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania and in my own name, to send the First my greetings and best wishes for fruitful work and full success. The Albanian Government is convinced that advancing the process of Balkan cooperation, begun two years ago, fulfils the sincere desire of all the peoples and states of the Balkans to strengthen comprehensive cooperation and contribute to positive European processes, for the benefit of peace and international security. The energy problems facing the Balkans now and in the future are complex and closely linked to the dynamics of industrial and economic development. As in other fields, considerable opportunities also exist in energy for useful and coherent cooperation that meets current and long-term interests and needs. Cooperation between our countries in the field of energy also has a good track record on which we can rely in order to further expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation, in keeping with our current and long-term interests and needs. At this meeting, in addition to energy potential, contemporary technological advances will also be examined. There is no doubt that the development of friendly and cooperative relations among the Balkan states is of great importance for peace, security and the prosperity of our region. I am convinced that this meeting is an inseparable part of the efforts to achieve this lofty goal. Once again, I wish you full success in your work, convinced that the process of Balkan cooperation will achieve further progress, in keeping with the interests and aspirations of our peoples to live in peace and friendship with one another.

- Yesterday morning, the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, headed by its chairman, Flaminio Pikoli, paid tribute at the National Martyrs’ Cemetery in the capital. The delegation laid a wreath on behalf of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament beside the “Mother Albania” Monument. During the ceremony, the delegation was accompanied by Kristaq Rama, member of the Presidium of the People’s Assembly; Rolanda Dhimitri, People’s Assembly; Zyber Sinani, secretary of the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council; and Eduart Shehu, commander of the Tirana Garrison. (ATSH)

Continuing his visit to our country, U.S. Congressman Tom Lantosh, together with former U.S. Congressman Zhozef DioGuardi, arrived in Tirana. On the way, they stopped in the city of Lezhë and visited the memorial at the burial site of our National Hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. Yesterday morning they visited the National History Museum, where they were received by the chairman of the League of Writers and Artists, deputy Dritëro Agolli, and the museum director, Haxhi Zeneli. As they toured the museum’s exhibition halls, they learned about the history of our people, their struggle, their efforts for freedom and independence, and for social progress and emancipation. “The museum is very beautiful, of world-class standard,” said U.S. Congressman Tom Lantosh, while former U.S. Congressman Zhozef DioGuardi said that “the most beautiful thing for a people’s future is to see its past.” In the visitors’ book, Tom Lantosh wrote: “A scholar and admirer of Skënderbeu and Albanian history since my childhood, I am deeply moved and impressed by this wonderful museum, its magnificent presentation … (Continued on page 4)

Yesterday morning, Farudin Hoxha, Minister attached to the Council of Ministers’ Presidium and Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, received at the Prime Minister’s Office the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, headed by its chairman, Flaminio Pikoli. Yesterday morning, Farudin Hoxha, Minister attached to the Council of Ministers’ Presidium and Chairman of the Committee for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries, received at the Prime Minister’s Office Flaminio Pikoli. At the reception, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the good relations between the two countries were particularly noted, and the desire and willingness were expressed to further expand and give concrete form to cooperation in various areas of the economy, such as agriculture, industry, transport, energy, tourism, etc., which are of mutual interest. Yesterday, Flaminio Pikoli, also visited the National History Museum in the capital. There they learned about the history of our people through the centuries, their heroic resistance and struggle for freedom and independence, national and social liberation, and their selfless work to build a new life. As he toured the museum’s galleries, Flaminio Pikoli expressed interest in the history and traditions of our people and praised the museum’s historical content and presentation. He thanked the hosts and wrote the following in the visitors’ book: “We have visited with sympathy a fresco of the history of the Albanian people on the occasion of the first visit by our representatives from Italy. The people of this land have a long history of culture and civilization.” Yesterday the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Parliament also went to the city of Kruja, where it was received by Petraq Kallëmi, chairman of the Executive Committee of the District People’s Council. The delegation members visited the ancient castle and the “Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu” Historical Museum, where they learned about the struggles of our people under the leadership of the Hero … (Continued on page 4)