Yesterday at 10:00, in the Reichstag building in Berlin, the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the participating CSCE countries opened. The meeting was opened by the Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hans Dietrich Gensher, who is also chairing the meeting. In his speech, he said that it was a great pleasure for him to welcome the arrival of the delegation of the Republic of Albania and its request to be admitted as a full participant in the CSCE. He then read the letter that the Albanian Foreign Minister, Muhamet Kapllani, had addressed to the Chair of the meeting of the CSCE Council of Foreign Ministers, confirming Albania’s readiness to accept and implement all CSCE documents, from Helsinki to Paris. The German Foreign Minister asked the foreign ministers of the CSCE countries to express their consensus on Albania’s admission, which they did unanimously. Immediately afterward, the Executive Secretary of the meeting, Jung, addressed the Albanian foreign minister and invited him to take his place at the meeting table, accompanying him there. The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Helmut Kohl, and Foreign Minister Gensher stood up, greeted and applauded the Albanian Foreign Minister, Muhamet Kapllani. All the foreign ministers of the CSCE countries applauded. Albania had now become the 35th full member of the CSCE. (ATSH)

The deputies of the People’s Assembly welcome with particular joy Albania’s admission as a full member of the CSCE. This long-awaited announcement brings joy to the heart of every Albanian and is evidence of the powerful developments of recent months in Albania, which have advanced democracy and respect for human rights. The deputies of the People’s Assembly thank the foreign ministers of the 34 CSCE member countries and, at the same time, as representatives of the Albanian people in the country’s highest legislative body, publicly pledge that Albania will forever be a worthy member of the great family of the peoples of Europe; that it will make every effort to contribute to preserving security and strengthening further cooperation in Europe; that it will expand cooperation with all the large and small countries of the continent and, in particular, with all the countries of the European Union and NATO; and that it will work with all the countries of the continent. In particular, drawing on this pluralist parliament and the pluralist Government of National Stability, it will strive to stabilize the situation, revive the country’s economy, establish a state governed by the rule of law, and fully and unreservedly respect the rights and freedoms of the individual in accordance with all international documents. In this historic decision for Albania, the deputies of the People’s Assembly also see a commitment by the European countries, the United States and Canada to support Albania in its irreversible process of democratization and stabilization. THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

For me, it is truly an honor and a great pleasure to represent Albania as a full participant in this important meeting of the CSCE Council of Ministers. On this occasion, I wish to warmly greet and thank all the participating states for their understanding and support, which enabled Albania to join the CSCE as its 35th member. Without a doubt, this is a historic moment for Albania, demonstrating its pan-European belonging and the cause of democracy in Albania. Albania’s full participation is, in fact, also an achievement for the CSCE process itself, since it demonstrates the great strength of this inclusive process and the importance of creating a united Europe. The new Europe we aspire to build presupposes human solidarity among all European countries. The establishment of political pluralism and the holding of the first elections were very important developments in the framework of the democratization process in Albania. For the first time, a pluralist parliament was established in my country. This has now shown that parliamentary democracy is functioning in Albania, although the process is difficult. Important changes have also taken place in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Likewise, a profound and comprehensive reform is under way in the economy. The essence of this reform is abandoning the centralized system and the system of division, confrontation and distrust is giving way to a new Europe, whose main characteristic is growing cooperation and interdependence among its states and regions. Building this Europe must overcome the new problems that have emerged recently and manage potential divisions. Albania has followed with particular attention and interest the democratic developments and changes on our continent. We are currently witnessing the birth of a new architecture of security and cooperation in Europe. The Paris Summit marked an important step in this direction. This meeting is also showing how important the role of the CSCE is from this point of view, and what role it can play alongside existing structures such as the Council of Europe and the European Community, as well as other effective mechanisms and organizations whose creation the future may require. It is well known that the concept of security has also changed. Genuine security could be achieved through increasingly comprehensive economic and political development and cooperation among countries in different regions, as well as through full respect for human rights. The emergence of extra-European dangers proves that we must consider, with an imaginative approach, new measures and steps to deal effectively with problems related to European security. One such measure is the emergency mechanism. Regional cooperation is another means of addressing current developments. We in the Balkans have shown that we are interested in such cooperation. Albania has always regarded its commitment to Balkan cooperation also as an expression… …this is a historic moment for Albania, demonstrating its all-European belonging and the great strength of this pan-European process and the importance of creating a new path for everyone and by everyone. Albania is going through an important period of transition from one system to another, accompanied by numerous difficulties and problems. The process of democratization is unfolding amid an exceptionally severe economic situation. The country’s political forces are deeply concerned and have jointly committed themselves to overcoming this situation. The clearest indication of this is the formation of the government of national stability, demonstrating the political parties’ willingness to work together to stabilize the country until the elections to be held next year. The moment we are going through offers great opportunities that must be seized, as well as great challenges that must be faced. It is important to overcome the crisis of confidence and to avert[?] the uncertainty and risks inherent in this period of transition. Equally important are understanding, solidarity and support from the CSCE countries. We hope they will not leave us alone at this difficult moment of rapid… Important changes are also connected with a proper understanding of people and fundamental freedoms. A profound and comprehensive reform is also is abandoning the centralized and controlled economic system and moving to a market economy. The scale and rapid pace of these changes have meanwhile brought a degree of uncertainty, linked to the fact that our society still does not seem fully able to absorb all these changes within such a short period of time. We are aware that economic adjustment to rapid political change cannot happen overnight. This is why the country is now focused on finding short-term solutions to the challenges facing us. As a result of this profound and comprehensive process of democratization, a system of advanced democratic values is taking shape in Albania, bringing it closer to Europe’s democratic standards. Albania has now embraced the legacy of shared European values and reaffirms its commitment to implementing them fully, convinced that this is the basis for building a new Europe. Recent developments have opened a new page in European history. The Europe of yesterday… The difficult process of parliamentary democratization is under way in Albania. Important changes have also taken place in the areas of human rights also taken place in the areas of human rights European history. The Europe of yesterday…

TELEGRAM To CSCE. BERLIN Dear Sirs, Together with the Albanian people, with

The Albanian foreign minister meets U.S. Secretary of State Xhejms Bejker During the proceedings of the Helsinki meeting, Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani met and exchanged views with the Secretary of the Department of State of the United States of America, Xhejms Bejker. Secretary Bejker spoke highly of the democratic developments in Albania and its acceptance as a full member of the CSCE. He called this support for the new Albanian democracy on its path toward democracy. Bejker told him that he was looking forward to his visit to Albania and expressed the hope that it would be an example of the comprehensive development of relations between the two countries. (ATSH)

To the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, YLLI BUFI TIRANA On the occasion of your appointment as Albania, I extend to you my sincere congratulations. I hope that the relations of friendship and cooperation between China and Albania will continue to develop on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence. LI PENG Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China To Mr. YLLI BUFI Albania On behalf of UNESCO, I wish to convey to you my warm congratulations on the occasion of your appointment. I am convinced that under your leadership Albania will play a more active role within UNESCO. FEDERICO MAYOR Director-General of UNESCO

Albanian Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani met Swiss Foreign Minister René Felber in Bern. At the meeting, the ministers congratulated one another on their admission to the CSCE and exchanged views on developments in the Balkans, issues concerning the situation in Europe, etc. Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani spoke to his Swiss counterpart about a visit to Albania during this year, an invitation that was gladly accepted. (ATSH)

Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani met the foreign minister of Cyprus in Bern. At the meeting, views were exchanged on the development of relations between the two countries and on the situation in the Mediterranean region and Europe. The two ministers agreed that diplomatic relations should be established between Albania and Cyprus. (ATSH)

The message of the Helsinki process is clear. It shows what Europe is capable of doing through political will and the joint efforts of its peoples and states.

To CSCE. BERLIN Dear Sirs, Together with the Albanian people, the country’s parties and other political and social forces, the Socialist Party of Albania joyfully and with particular honor welcomes your historic decision to admit Albania as a full member of the CSCE. Your foresight and sense of friendly solidarity have made up to our country and people, among the oldest in Europe, for the delay imposed on us by the policy of emigration and isolationism, from which we have distanced ourselves with full resolve and conviction. We assure you, Sirs, that we will know how to value membership in the CSCE as a new step in the level attained by democracy in Albania, as a new horizon for dignified and deserved integration into the heart of Europe, and as a commitment to mobilize all our strength and resources to overcome every shortcoming and delay in relation to the path on which developed and democratic Europe stands before us as an example and a source of support. In your decision, little Albania finds Europe’s strong and friendly hand; in this decision, Europe will find its new member, which, with its antiquity and traditions, will bring the voice of the freedom-loving Albanian spirit, of humanism, justice and the zeal for progress cultivated over the centuries. Once again, thanking you warmly, we hope that your efforts and decisions concerning the architecture of the new Europe will advance and strengthen the spirit of cooperation, security and pan-European democratic progress. With deep respect, PRESIDIUM OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE SPA Tirana, June 19, 1991

At yesterday’s meeting of the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Ylli Bufi made the following statement: For Albania, admission as a full participant in the CSCE process, now 16 years after the Helsinki meeting, is truly a historic event. For the Albanian people and society, who yearn for democracy and progress, the new Europe represents a symbol of progress and a guarantee of genuine freedom and democracy. Albania belongs to Europe, and it is only natural that it should fully join the European currents, in which the CSCE process provides an orientation of vital importance for the future of our continent. Admission to the CSCE today marks the successful passing of the test of assessment that Europe, the United States and Canada applied to the country’s progress toward a contemporary pluralist democracy, in which genuine human values and the spiritual, physical and cultural individuality of the human being are protected; where the right to create, to take free initiative and to enjoy the results of one’s own work is guaranteed and forms the very foundation of the country’s development. The great step toward pluralist democracy that our people took recently reflects their character and their desire for Albania to take its place as an equal in the family of European countries. It is our duty to know how to make use of this great historic opportunity and to prove ourselves worthy of it. The establishment of relations with the EEC, following admission to the CSCE, and economic cooperation with the countries of Europe, as well as with a number of international economic, political and financial organizations, such as the World Bank, the IMF and the system of UN organizations, constitute the course of our future efforts. The Government for the Stabilization of the Country, all political forces and our entire people will devote their sweat, labor and abilities to securing for our nation what it deserves—a dignified life, the prosperity it deserves, and the genuine spiritual and cultural integration of Albanians wherever they may be. I am convinced that our people and all working Albanians will demonstrate their vitality, a vitality that has been greatly strengthened to meet the historic opportunity that the future offers them. (ATSH) …the democratic the CSCE is from this perspective, and what role it could and organizations whose creation the future may require. Comprehensive and concrete support for the new democracy and the economic development of these countries provides an alternative for the continued advancement of the CSCE process itself. The CSCE process, which, as this Berlin meeting is showing, is taking shape through new ideas, has as its ultimate goal the transformation of our continent into a genuine area of cooperation, conducted in greater trust and security, and of communication among the peoples of this continent in a center of human solidarity. These ideas create the possibility of establishing a genuinely secure and humane new European order, based on respect for human rights. Today’s realities on the continent are the heritage of all European countries. It is now recognized that no country can change these realities unilaterally. Thus, any change or evolution will come about naturally and in accordance with the spirit of the CSCE and its documents. what Europe can achieve through the political will and joint efforts of its peoples and states.