- Report delivered at the Conference by the Deputy Chairman of the Party Dr. Servet Pëllumbi - Opening speech delivered by the vice-chairman of the PSSh Ilir Meta Dear delegates, Honored guests, We have gathered at this extraordinary Conference, which we consider useful and necessary for improving the reform of the party in the current study and discourse of our political life and for the development of democracy in Albania. Having come to the conclusion that the path followed so far in reforming the party, especially after the 2nd congress, has not been sufficient, we decided to undertake a new step with the aim of making the SP a modern party of the European left. Under the conditions of a general social, economic and moral crisis, our people expect from the opposition a serious, credible and farsighted alternative. This requires us to strengthen unity, further democratize the structures, clarify our programmatic profile and increase the effectiveness of our political activity. We have not come here to deny ourselves, but to face the truths, to draw lessons from mistakes, to overcome nostalgia and to build a new political culture based on pluralism, tolerance and responsibility. The PSSh must be a party of reforms, of social dialogue and of the rule of law. It must defend the interests of the strata that bear the burden of transition, of workers, peasants, intellectuals, youth and pensioners. We are for free and fair elections, for the independence of institutions, for a free press, for a market economy with social sensitivity and for Albania's European integration. This Conference must mark a qualitative turning point in the life of our party. It must send the message that the Socialist Party is determined to move forward, with courage, realism and a spirit of national cooperation. All our activity must serve the citizen, democracy and the future of the country. Ilir Meta Dr. Servet Pëllumbi

The politics of our country, characterized by a right-wing anti-national and anti-popular coalition, continues with the same arrogance and the same anti-democratic course. This policy has led to the extreme impoverishment of the people, to the violation of democratic rights and freedoms, to the suppression of the opposition and of free speech. The Socialist Party must present itself to the people with a new political alternative, clear and convincing, one that embodies the interests of the majority of society and its aspirations for justice, freedom and prosperity. At the center of this alternative must be the person, work, law and social solidarity. Only in this way can the PS become the main force of democratic change and European integration.

The Socialist Party alternatives conference In an enthusiastic atmosphere, the district conference of the PS branch in Burrel was held on Friday to define the party’s democratic development platform. It was attended by 58 members elected by the basic organization conferences and several invited guests. In his speech, the branch chairman, comrade Islam Aliaj, noted that the conference is an important moment in the life of the party, where its political action platform will be defined. Fatos Nano, being unable to attend, greeted the conference proceedings through a telegram. During the discussions, many views were presented on deepening democratic reforms within the party, opening it up to different strata of society, and strengthening its opposition role. The need was emphasized for the PS to preserve its left-wing identity and become a modern social democratic force. At the end, the conference elected delegates for the national conference and approved a resolution expressing confidence that the Socialist Party will play an important role in the democratization of the country.

ENGLISH ZËRI I POPULLIT ORGAN OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF ALBANIA 53rd year of publication No. 36 (7513) Tuesday, 8 February 1994 PRICE: 5 LEKS The Socialist Party toward new developments of Albanian democracy - Report delivered at the Conference by the Deputy Chairman of the Party Dr. Servet Pëllumbi - Opening speech delivered by the vice-chairman of the PSSh Ilir Meta Dear delegates, Honored guests, We have gathered at this extraordinary Conference, which we consider useful and necessary for improving the reform of the party in the current study and discourse of our political life and for the development of democracy in Albania. Having come to the conclusion that the path followed so far in reforming the party, especially after the 2nd congress, has not been sufficient, we decided to undertake a new step with the aim of making the SP a modern party of the European left. Under the conditions of a general social, economic and moral crisis, our people expect from the opposition a serious, credible and farsighted alternative. This requires us to strengthen unity, further democratize the structures, clarify our programmatic profile and increase the effectiveness of our political activity. We have not come here to deny ourselves, but to face the truths, to draw lessons from mistakes, to overcome nostalgia and to build a new political culture based on pluralism, tolerance and responsibility. The PSSh must be a party of reforms, of social dialogue and of the rule of law. It must defend the interests of the strata that bear the burden of transition, of workers, peasants, intellectuals, youth and pensioners. We are for free and fair elections, for the independence of institutions, for a free press, for a market economy with social sensitivity and for Albania's European integration. This Conference must mark a qualitative turning point in the life of our party. It must send the message that the Socialist Party is determined to move forward, with courage, realism and a spirit of national cooperation. All our activity must serve the citizen, democracy and the future of the country. Ilir Meta Dr. Servet Pëllumbi ITALIANO ZËRI I POPULLIT ORGANO DEL PARTITO SOCIALISTA D'ALBANIA 53º anno di pubblicazione n. 36 (7513) Martedì, 8 febbraio 1994 PREZZO: 5 LEK Il Partito Socialista verso nuovi sviluppi della democrazia albanese - Relazione tenuta alla Conferenza dal vicepresidente del Partito Dr. Servet Pëllumbi - Discorso di apertura tenuto dal vicepresidente del PSSH Ilir Meta Cari delegati, Onorati ospiti, Ci siamo riuniti in questa Conferenza straordinaria, che consideriamo utile e necessaria per perfezionare il rinnovamento del partito nell'attuale contesto della nostra vita politica e per lo sviluppo della democrazia in Albania. Essendo giunti alla conclusione che il percorso fin qui seguito nella riforma del partito, specialmente dopo il 2° congresso, non è stato sufficiente, abbiamo deciso di intraprendere un nuovo passo con l'obiettivo di fare del PS un moderno partito della sinistra europea. Nelle condizioni di una crisi generale sociale, economica e morale, il nostro popolo si aspetta dall'opposizione un'alternativa seria, credibile e lungimirante. Ciò richiede di rafforzare l'unità, democratizzare ulteriormente le strutture, chiarire il nostro profilo programmatico e aumentare l'efficacia della nostra attività politica. Non siamo venuti qui per negare noi stessi, ma per affrontare le verità, trarre insegnamenti dagli errori, superare le nostalgie e costruire una nuova cultura politica fondata su pluralismo, tolleranza e responsabilità. Il PSSH deve essere un partito delle riforme, del dialogo sociale e dello stato di diritto. Deve difendere gli interessi degli strati che sopportano il peso della transizione: lavoratori, contadini, intellettuali, giovani e pensionati. Siamo per elezioni libere e corrette, per l'indipendenza delle istituzioni, per una stampa libera, per un'economia di mercato con sensibilità sociale e per l'integrazione europea dell'Albania. Questa Conferenza deve segnare una svolta qualitativa nella vita del nostro partito. Deve dare il messaggio che il Partito Socialista è determinato ad andare avanti, con coraggio, realismo e spirito di cooperazione nazionale. Tutta la nostra attività deve servire il cittadino, la democrazia e il futuro del Paese.