Prime Minister Prodi and other members of the Italian government received, at the government palace “Chigi,” the high-level delegation of the Albanian Government headed by Prime Minister Fatos Nano Romano Prodi: “We will stand together with the other countries so that Albania can fully overcome the crisis and its consequences. The army, police, economy, health care, investments and other sectors will be the priority areas of Italian assistance and cooperation with the International Community for Albania” Fatos Nano: “Today’s visit is very important and highly fruitful for the beginning of the new government, but also for the start of undertaking the priority sectors of Italian assistance and cooperation with the International Community for Albania” The President of the Republic Rexhep Mejdani awards Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi the Order “Skënderbej” The former prime minister of the Government of National Reconciliation Fino proposes to P[r]c [?] Mejdani to decorate Mr. Frane Vr. [?]oki with the Order of the Flag Fiumicino airport, Prime Minister Nano departing for Rome (Photo: ROTER) From Tirana to Rome, to be received by his counterpart, the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, have set off our country’s Prime Minister Fatos Nano and the delegation accompanying him, made up of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Order Arben Malaj, the Speaker of Parliament Skënder Gjinushi, Minister of Defense Sabit Brokaj, Minister of Education and Culture Ethem Ruka, Minister of Urban Development and Tourism Ema Andrea, Mayor of Tirana Albert Brojka, as well as other members. Also present at the meeting was the Italian ambassador to Tirana, Mr. Stefano Baldi. At the airport, our ambassador in Rome, Mr. Pëllumb Xhufi, was also present. He was accompanied by staff from our embassy in Italy. Further, before leaving for Rome, Prime Minister Nano stated to Albanian Television that “The visit to Italy is of particular importance, since it is carried out within the framework of the invitation from my Italian counterpart, Mr. Romano Prodi, but also within the framework of contacts and active dialogue with the Italian government and other Western countries, and especially within the framework of assistance and cooperation with the International Community for Albania. I believe we will find the proper understanding and support to create and guarantee stability and calm in Albania.” Prime Minister Nano further emphasized that “It is an important visit, connected not only with the new political situation created after the 29 June elections, but also with the steps socially [...]. Even more, I believe that Prime Minister Prodi and other Italian leaders welcome the election result, but also understand our country’s need to integrate and to be as close as possible to the European Union and to Europe, as well as to its institutions and countries. In this context we will also discuss Albania’s need to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, to give life to the economy, and to strengthen public order and the country’s defense.” Prime Minister Nano also expressed his conviction that “Within the framework of the multinational operation and the international engagement for Albania, we will discuss the possibility of better coordination across all sectors and with priority in the sectors of order, the army, health care and economic recovery.” Speaking about the meetings to be held, Prime Minister Nano stressed: “We will have the opportunity, alongside the bilateral meeting between myself and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, to have expanded meetings with important ministers of the Italian cabinet. Among them I would single out the Foreign Minister, Mr. Dini, the Defense Minister Andreatta, and the Minister of Internal Order Napolitano, with whom we will discuss more concretely the needs of our country, the concrete assistance, and the level of assistance that Italy is ready to offer Albania. We hope that the Italian government and other Western countries will better appreciate the stability and seriousness of this new government program, in order to further support the efforts of Albanians for the comprehensive reconstruction of Albania.” Later, when asked by Albanian Television about the resolution of the Kosovo crisis and Albania’s contribution, Prime Minister Nano assessed that “This is an issue of importance not only within the framework of our national problems, but also within the framework of stability in the Balkans. I believe that there are opportunities to continue and intensify our cooperation, contacts and dialogue with the Italian government and with the International Community for an accelerated and lasting solution to the Kosovo problem, through the finding of peaceful and democratic ways and means.” Fiumicino airport, Prime Minister Nano departing for Rome (Photo: ROTER)

PARLIAMENT COMPLETES THE LAW: Page 3

(Page 6) Special commission for the victims The former prime minister of the Government of National Reconciliation, Ylli Bufi, in his interview specially for “Zërin e Popullit”, stated that the murders and large-scale looting that have taken place recently in our country are the result of chaos. The organizers of the smear campaign against the diaspora and remittances must understand that it has helped, and is helping, their families without sparing any effort. Read excerpts from the interview today on page 4.

The former prime minister of the Government of National Reconciliation, Ylli Bufi, in his interview specially for “Zërin e Popullit”, stated that the murders and large-scale looting that have taken place recently in our country are the result of chaos. The organizers of the smear campaign against the diaspora and remittances must understand that it has helped, and is helping, their families without sparing any effort. Read excerpts from the interview today on page 4. National Fino proposes to Prc [?] Mejdani to decorate Mr. Frane Vr. [?]oki with the Order of the Flag