PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY Yesterday at midday, the leadership of the PS held a press conference in the premises of the "Dajti" hotel, at which the chairman of the party, Mr. Fatos Nano, gave a brief visit to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg. He described this visit as very important, since it not only gives the PS the opportunity to become more widely acquainted with its European counterparts, but also to present and defend its own alternative for the country's recovery. During this visit, said Mr. Nano, numerous meetings were held with senior representatives of European democracy, important political institutions and international organizations, where the situation in Albania, political, economic and social developments, and the country's prospects were discussed. The chairman of the PS stressed that in these meetings a spirit of understanding and dialogue without prejudice was found, a willingness to listen to the alternatives and concerns of the Albanian Socialist opposition. He said that the PS delegation informed its interlocutors about the difficult economic situation, the impoverishment of the population, the crisis of trust in institutions, and the lack of democratic standards in the country. According to him, European representatives expressed interest in developments in Albania and valued the need to strengthen political dialogue, respect for human rights, the independence of institutions and genuine pluralism. Mr. Nano declared that the PS is determined to contribute to stability, to Albania's European integration, and to a constructive opposition, but at the same time one that is firm against authoritarianism, political intolerance and the further impoverishment of the country. At the conference, he also answered journalists' questions regarding the contacts that were made, the positions of European organizations toward Albania, and the PS's next steps. (To be continued on page 2)