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ATA News from Albania, 96-10-02Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>CONTENTS
[01] U.S. TO PROVIDE 100 000 DOLLARS FOR ALBANIAN ENVIRONMENTThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is donating 100 000 dollars for the Albanian environment. They are administered by the Budapest based Regional Environmental Center for Eastern and Central Europe (REC)."Divided into three stages, the environmental programme began to be applied last May with the "environmental policies and their influence on the social-economic factors", with the study of an imaginary polluted city, compared with the former metallurgical plant of Elbasan," the coordinator of this programme at the Environmental Protection Committee and REC, Elida Metaj. The second stage took place last week in Hungary as a training course for 22 Albanian and Hungarians, specialists of regional environmental centres in districts and of the Environmental Protections centres, as well as journalists and hygienists, the manager of the world programme at EPA, Franchesca Di Cosmo, said. The trainees, to be selected by foreign observers, will train others in completing the second part of the programme in Albania, in December this year. "When the 100 000 dollar programme is over, a monitoring center is planned to be set up, putting into operation an environmental network for the Albanian governmental and non-governmental environmental associations", said the coordinator of the environmental justice at EPA, Rexhi F. Harris. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[02] ALBANIA PARTICIPATES IN "INTERNATIONAL DAYS OF MEDITERRANEAN '96"A delegation of the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry payed an official visit to Marseilles, invited by the chairman of Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Henri Roux-Alezais, spokesman of this institution Aleksander Papa, reports.After the talks held, they signed the Protocol-Agreement between the two chambers. Shehu briefed on the achievements of Albania and informed of the possibilities created by the Albanian legislation for foreign investment. Roux-Alezais, after bringing the French experience, expressed his readiness to help the Albanian counterpart in all fields. After signing the Protocol-Agreement, the Albanian delegation was invited to take part in the activity "International Days of Mediterranean '96", which was held from 19 to 21 September. The Albanian delegation held separate talks with Christian Samon, President of the Federation of Aggro-Nutritive Industry (FRIAA) for Marseille-Provence area, Jean Coquil, President of the General Chemistry Industry Trade Union, Jean-Daniel Tordjman, delegated for international investments in Paris and others. Members of the Albanian delegation stressed in these meetings the great progress made in Albania during the years of democracy, paying attention to the privatization of economy. The French delegation members showed interest in a detailed information about Albania, and expressed readiness to visit Albania. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[03] MINISTRY OF WORK AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS REVEALS ALBANIAN POPULATION STRUCTUREAlbanian Ministry of Work and Social Affairs has recently revealed the structure of Albanian population and employment, writes newspaper "Albania" Wednesday.The most recent studies show that Albania has about 3.2 million inhabitants, including immigrants of the last years, and 1.7 million out of the above figure are at the work age. By citing statistics, the paper says, that out of this figure 1.54 million are active forces. Students, military and pupils result to be some 0.16 million in number. According to statistics 1.18 million are employed in Albania and some 0.15 million are of the state sector, dependent on the state budget and 0.13 million are of the state sector but not dependent on it. The paper writes that the private sector in the town has employed 0.15 million while the village some 0.75 million people. Albanians employed abroad are 0.20 million. Some 160 thousand people are unemployed in Albania according to statistics and represent some 10.7 per cent of the population of the working age. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[04] ALBANIA GETS NEW CREDITS BY INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONSTwo new projects of foreign credits, one for the electric power distribution and transmission and another one for the development of the private sector will be officially signed at the beginning of October, said Albanian Ministry of Finance.The sum of ECU12 million represents a credit accorded by European Bank of Investments and will be administered by the Albanian government. It will be used by the Albanian Electric power Corporation aiming to adjust electric power transmission and distribution. The other credit of USD8 million of the World Bank will be used by the US Fund of Enterprises, Arab-Albanian Islamic Bank and by other banks of the second level aiming to finance the private sector. M.Noti Albanian Telegraphic Agency[05] TRADE UNIONS MEET WITH GOVERNMENT'S EXPERTSThe Union of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania, UITUA, on Thursday met with government experts from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, that of Finance, Education, Statistics Institute, Social Insurances and other institutions.A short awhile ago, the UITUA sent the government a petition including three key demands: 100% compensation for the bread liberalisation effects, indexation of inflation based on the Government-UITUA accord and the creation and functioning of the National Labour Council. After stormy discussions and polemics they agreed that regarding the first group demands the Statistics Institute reexamined the bread price data before liberalisation. And only after this the UITUA would agree or not to the compensation measure of the bread price. Concerning the second group demands they agreed that the Statistics Institute accurately drew the price index for the 24 items presented by the UITUA and this would be discussed, alongside the first group demands, at the next meeting. They agreed to discuss the third group demands, regarding the institutionalisation of the Labour Council, at another meeting. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[06] GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO ATTEND BSEC WORKING GROUP ON ENERGYAn Albanian governmental delegation, headed by the Secretary of State on Mines and Energy, Sokol Bejleri, will attend the meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Working Group on Energy, to be held in Moscow from Sept 29 to Oct 1,1996.The meeting's agenda includes problems of energy cooperation between these countries and the creation of the electric-energy Assembly in the Black Sea region. In this meeting Albania will set forward proposals on the energy situation, the ways to develop cooperation in this field and views on a protocol-agreement which will serve as a working programme for the high level meeting of the countries of Black Sea region. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[07] RESULTS IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN ALBANIA PRODUCE OPTIMISM AND TRUST IN FUTURE - UNDPOver the last 12 months the Albanians have been living a better life than one year ago, according to the Human Development Report on Albania presented by the UNDP at the International Cultural Centre in Tirana on Friday.The report is fruit of the joint work carried out by an independent team of Albanian experts from the government, local and foreign non- governmental organisations and other foreign institutions cooperating with Albania. "It is the second time this report appears by the UNDP contribution and provides the framework of a human development strategy in Albania. The ongoing results produce optimism and trust in the future," the UNDP representative to Albania, Peter Schuman, said. The report has been evaluated for its impartiality of information on the current situation and the tendency of development in Albania. According to several surveys of the Euro-barometer the report refers to, 79% of the population holds the country is developing on the right path and 59% declare themselves satisfied with the developments of democracy at home. "The report," Premier Aleksander Meksi said, "presents at a broader spectrum the human developments in Albania and encourages governmental and non-governmental structures to realise the changes carried out during the implementation of the economic reform". During the year 1994-1995 employment reached the figures 1 154 446 and the number of the unemployed was 171 001. Investment, which made up 18% of the GDP in 1992-1993, reached 20-22% in 1994-1995. The report says that in the private sector in 1995 there were 2 600 private firms and 56 000 private activities employing 128 000 workers. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[08] PROTOCOL-AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF TIRANA AND BARCELONA SIGNEDThe protocol-agreement on Mutual Cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Barcelona and the Chamber of Trade and Industry- Tirana was signed on September 23 in Barcelona. For the Albanian party the agreement was signed by the chairman of the chamber of commerce Arben Shehi and for the Barcelona by the president of the chamber of commerce Antoni Negre Villavechia.The signing of the protocol-agreement with the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, after that of Marseille-Provence, described as epicentre of western Mediterranean, are described as reliable steps of the Tirana chamber of commerce to institutionalize and establish relations of business and to open the way to new investments in Albania. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[09] AGR.-FOOD FAIR'96 OPENS IN TIRANAThe Agr.-food Fair '96 opened Sunday in the spaces of the exhibition "Albania today" in Tirana, capital of Albania. Yhe fair is held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and projected and realised by the private association "Expo-Prima".President of the Republic of Albania Sali Berisha also attended the ceremony on the occasion. "The fair will present the best achievements of the agriculture and food industry in the years of the democratic development in Albania," Agricultural and Food Minister Bamir Topi said in his greeting. The inauguration ribbon was cut by President Berisha. Later, Berisha, accompanied by minister Topi, Tirana's prefect Karapici and others visited the fair's pavilions which displays products from 54 various firms, related to Albanian agricultural and food industry. Precisely the cooperation of farmers with businessmen has led to the opening of a series of activities, which are reflected in the fair. They have also been provided with technical assistance and financial funds by the PHARE, VOCA, FAO Programmes, the Project for the Irrigation Rehabilitation and other projects. Berisha suggested the expansion and improvement of these activities and wished the participating firms further successes. After the fair organised last October in the National Historic Museum, precisely in agr.-culture, this is the second and the biggest fair which also displays new products of the Vefa, Kamberi, Teuta, Mika Berat and Mika Korca and other firms. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[10] FOREIGN DONORS FOR EDUCATION IN PEQINI DISTRICTThe European Community (EC) and World Bank (WB) gave 600 000 dollars for the education in Peqini district, sources from the education department in this district reported.During this new school year the schools will be constructed withe these funds, as well as existing ones will be repaired. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[11] UITUA AND GOVERNMENT EXPERTS DISCUSS BREAD PRICE AND WAGE INDEXThe Albanian government and the Union of the Independent Trade Unions (UITUA) held their second meeting on Monday regarding the explanation by the government experts of the two main demands presented earlier by the UITUA on bread compensation and price and wage index.The price index is treated on the basis of 24 main food articles discussed in the first meeting between the government experts and the UITUA. The experts stated that the compensation was only related to bread while the kerosene and gas price hikes were not included in this compensation. "The compensation would benefit everyone", they said. The compensation will be higher for the employed and lower for the unemployed and pensioners. As regards the price and wage index, mainly based on the prices of 24 food items, the INSTAT representative presented the figure 12.36 % as a price change for the 24 articles of the agreement. The UITUA representatives rejected this figure. The UITUA representatives are planning to stage a strike on October 4 for the fulfilment of their demands. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[12] A GREEK COMPANY ON WAY TO EXPAND ITS ACTIVITY IN ALBANIARenowned in the tobacco processing and trading, the Greek company "Mihailidhis" has voiced its interest to expand its activity in the Mat district too.So far, this company has contacted twice with the specialists of agriculture in this district through their representatives in its branch Mika in Albania. They have discussed climatic-land conditions and the offers of farmers for the cultivation of tobacco. The representative of the Greek party, director of agronomy Stathi Nikolaidhis and the specialist of this firm, Thoma Xhango, have guaranteed selected seeds and cooperation with farmers for a good tobacco harvest. In another meeting the activity of this firm in Mat is expected to be concrete. The Mihailidhis has a four year activity in Albania and has invested a total of five million dollars in this country. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[13] ATA SIGNS COOPERATION CONTRACT WITH DOW JONES TELERATEThe Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Tuesday signed a contract of cooperation with the Dow Jones Telerate Company, one of the largest economic information companies in the world.For the Albanian side the contract was signed by ATA director Ilir Zhilla and for the Dow Jones side by its Director on Central and Eastern Europe, Matti Laamanen. Under this contract ATA will receive information on stock exchanges, vouchers and daily exchanges as well as information on mineral and oil prices. In his opening address at the ceremony Zhilla said that :"Our concept for the Agency will be: "The agency is the place where all should provide information and all will receive information" He considered the signing of the agreement with Dow Jones "part of this strategy". Leemanen also held a briefing for the reporters present. Later he told ATA that he chose it (ATA) for cooperation because "it is a good partner and is well-known in Albania. ATA has very good partners and its service can be used by the people". Dow Jones brings out a large number of newspapers, the most renowned of which The Wall Street Journal. The turnover of its concern is some two billions per year. Attending the ceremony were Herald Leitner, representative of Dow Jones in Vienna, the President of the Albanian firm "Vefa", Vebi Alimuca, the chairman of the National Energy Committee, Bujar Nepravishta and others. Albanian Telegraphic Agency[14] PRESIDENT BERISHA MEETS CROAT PRIME MINISTERTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA)- The President of the Republic, Sali Berisha, met the Croatian Premier, Slatko Matesa, this afternoon, according to the press and information office close to the president.Berisha considered the visit of Matesa a very significant event for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and nations. Berisha estimated Croatia's achievements and contribution to the solution of the conflict and control of aggression in Northern Balkans. "Albania has supported and supports Croatia in reestablishing its full territorial integrity and it considers Croatia's support to the Croat- Bosnian Federation a very significant contribution to peace and stability in the region", Berisha said. Berisha also expressed delight at the very good level of political relations between Albania and Croatia but said there were vast possibilities for cooperation in fields of mutual interest. "The cooperation between our two countries and that of the Balkans as a whole should serve the integration of our countries into the Euro-Atlantic institutions," he said. Matesa assured President Berisha of Croatia's determination to strengthen friendship and intensify cooperation with Albania. He evaluated Albania as a factor of stability in the region and appreciated its achievements in the road of reforms. "You have a very successful reform and have known to encourage private initiative, what is very important for the functioning of the market economy", Matesa said. Berisha and Matesa considered there were many possibilities of cooperation between the two countries such as in tourism, oil and gas extraction and processing, food industry, communication, education and culture, pharmaceutical industry, military and other fields. They were of the opinion that in Albania there are good chances of profit for the Croat investors. As regards communication, Berisha stressed that the Ljubljana-Athens corridor, alongside the west-east one, was of specific importance for the whole region, therefore the European Union's support should be secured. The two dwelt on the latest development in the region. Berisha stressed that "after Bosnia the Kosova issue makes up the most critical problem of the Balkan crisis. We have backed the agreement on education, but we consider its implementation more important. We insist on the Pristine- Belgrade dialogue in the presence of a third party and the reestablishment of the legitimate institutions of Kosova as an indispensable way for the complete solution of this issue". Berisha asked Matesa to convey to President Tudjman his cordial greetings and the invitation to visit Albania. a.ke/lm/z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[15] ALBANIAN PRESIDENT MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATIONTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - The Albanian President, Sali Berisha, met Tuesday afternoon the Council of Europe delegation headed by Karl Arenc, former chairman of the CE Parliamentary Assembly, President's press and information office reports.After welcoming the CE delegation, Berisha said: "I would like to express my delight for the good and fruitful cooperation that Albania has established with CE, which she is engaged to consolidate and deepen in the future". "After the problems we had with the boycott of votes' counting in the elections of May 26, we decided to invite officially the CE to monitor and coordinate monitoring of the local elections; this is done because the CE Local Authorities Congress is the most specialized institution for these problems", said Berisha. President Berisha ensured Karl Arenc that the government is determined and has taken all the measures to have a free and fair electoral process. Arenc on his part, expressed his readiness for further cooperation. He also showed complete understanding about the discussed issues. /a.ke/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[16] PCEC DRAWS POLITICAL SUBJECTS ATTENTION ON ENROLLEMENT DEADLINETIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - The Permanent Central Election Commission (PCEC) drew Tuesday the attention to all political subjects regarding the deadline of candidates registration for commune and municipality chairmen, as well as to the candidates for members of the local councils, PCEC reported.This is done because of the different interpretations which have brought about any trouble. The deadline for the enrollement of candidates has expired at 24.00 of September 1, 1996. The work for their registration continued until this time. In case these commissions did not respect this deadline, the PCEC would take some administrative measures regarding the respective provisions of law "On elections of local government bodies". /kei/mt/k Albanian Telegraphic Agency[17] "TIRANA SHOULD BE GOVERNED DIFFERENTLY"-SP candidateTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA)-By A. Baci,The SP candidate for Tirana's Mayor, Agim Fagu, told a SP conference on local elections on Tuesday that Tirana should be governed differently. "We provide facts for corruption in the Tirana municipality". Fagu, an Albanian well-known basketball player, carried out a number of state and diplomatic tasks such as a trade attache and employee of the Foreign Trade Ministry during the dictatorship regime. Now he is engaged in trade. At the beginning of the news conference, the SP chairman for Tirana, Musa Ulqini, introduced the names of the candidates for councillors approved by the Tirana SP for the capital's Municipality Council. Asked about the problem of the kiosks Fagu said: "We pretend that the owners of the kiosks become owners of supermarkets". According to Fagu the number of kiosks in Tirana amounts to 7 000. Regarding the functioning of the Municipality if the SP won, he said: "The relations of the mayor with the party will not be dependant relations. I will not be a lever of the party. I will not implement its orders. The party has a programme that has been bestowed upon me". He holds that the Tirana changes are a result of the changed system and of several associating factors, much more spontaneous and not a merit of the Democratic Party". kei/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[18] OPPOSITION MEMBERS ASK PCEC TO CALL ODIHR TECHNICAL OBSERVERSTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA)- By A. Frasheri, The opposition members in the Permanent Central Electoral Commission (PCEC) have asked the commission to call upon ODIHR observers to monitor the October 20 elections in Albania.The request was made to the Political Director of the CE General Secretariat Office, Hans Peter Furrer, during the latter's meeting with the PCEC on Wednesday afternoon. According to the law on local elections, the PCEC is not allowed to invite foreign observers. This is only the right of parliament, state and political subjects. The request was also made by SP deputy chairman Namik Dokle at a news conference several days ago. According to Dokle they would be ODIHR's technical and not political observers. In the May 26 elections several of the ODIHR observers turned out to be Albanian former security agents. PCEC chairman Nestor Tereska said that in the meeting with Mr. Furrer they had discussed problems emerging during the procedures on the PCEC functioning and had elaborated all the procedures of its operation. "SP representatives in the commission also asked questions regarding the electoral law and foreign observers to which Furrer gave the respective answers", Tereska said. We have always been open to discuss emerging problems with CE specialists, who said that the CE and its Parliamentary Assembly are coordinating the work to monitor the elections in Albania both by this body and other European organisations", Tereska said. The PCEC discussed in its meeting the obervers' regulation which will be issued on October 2. pas/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[19] "ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATIONTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - The Albanian Premier, Aleksander Meksi met Tuesday afternoon the CE delegation headed by the former chairman of the CE Parliamentary Assembly, Karl Ahrenc, Premier press and information office reported.Arhenc stressed among others that he and the delegation he heads have come to Albania as friends and want to help with their own experience. The talk was focused on technical issues related to the organization of the local elections. The representatives of the DP parliamentarian group, who are also members of the Albanian Delegation in the Council of Europe, Genc Pollo, deputy chairman and Albina Karamitro and Vili Minarolli, held a meeting on the same day with the political director of the CE General Secretariat, Hans Peter Furrer. They talked about the bilateral cooperation and the CE assistance granted to the Magistracy School, Academy of order, as well as about the situation in Albania in the threshold of the local elections. /pas/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[20] GOOD WILL TO HELP ALBANIA PREVAILS IN THE U.S.- WirthTIRANA, OCT 2 (ATA)- The U.S. deputy Secretary of State on Global Affairs, Timothy Wirth, has said good will to help Albania prevails in the U.S."An attitude of good will towards Albania and the will to help it prevails in the United States," said Wirth at a meeting at the State Department on Monday with the Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tritan Shehu, the Foreign Ministry spokesman reports. Shehu expressed the view that the Albanians consider very significant the relations with the United States. The participants in the meetings said all possibilities exist that the relations between the United States and Albania be promoted to new levels of cooperation. Expressing the interest and concrete engagement of his country in the development of democracy in Albania, Wirth said that for the current period the fair holding of local elections assume a special importance. Shehu spoke in detail of the changes carried out to the electoral law according to the remarks made by the opposition, of the changing and improvement of the electoral procedures according to the remarks and suggestions of the opposition and European and U.S.institutions, and of the current political climate in Albania. "Also, efforts have been made to put an end to the institutional boycott, which directly spoils the democratic process at home", said Shehu reiterating the total engagement of the Albanian Government in realising free and fair elections. He explained that the Albanian government had called on the European organisations, all the European countries and the United States as well as on a number of non-governmental institution to send their observers to the local elections. A large number of observers will be present in these elections, which the Council of Europe has undertaken to oversee. "Fair elections will make up a premise to further consolidate the democracy in Albania. The efforts to approve the new constitution are another element to be appreciated," Writh said. He expressed the readiness of the United States to provide their assistance in the financial reform. Before departure from New York Shehu met with Republican congressman Benjamin Gilman, chairman of the U.S.Congress Foreign Commission. Shehu also met another republican politician, Senator John McCain, President of the International Republican Institute who was in Albania some times ago. s/sh/kei/pas/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[21] ALBANIAN SPEAKER MEETS CROATIAN PREMIERTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA) - The Albanian Speaker, Pjeter Arbnori, met Tuesday the Croatian Premier, Llatko Matesha. In the meeting they discussed about deepening of the relations between Albania and Croatia, particularly in the economical field, Parliament press and information department reported.Arbnori, putting the stress into the regional situation, said that Albania supports the Federation of Bosnia - Herzegovina, as well as the solution of the conflict by means of dialogue. Regarding Kosova, Arbnori stressed the declared opinion of the Albanian state that Kosova must not be considered as an internal affair of Serbia, but as an Yugoslavian one. "We think that the results of the last elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina have to be recognized and efforts should be made to ensure peace in that area", said Croatian Premier, talking about the regional situation. The Albanians in Kosova should enjoy their rights according to the international standards", he continued. Matesha said that the ongoing good political relations between Croatia and Albania establish a solid basis for fruitful economical relations and cooperation, particularly in the investments field. The economical increase and the political stability that Albania, Croatia and Slovenia have achieved, create all the conditions for a quick integration of these countries in Europe, he ended. /ake/pas/mt/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[22] TRITAN SHEHU MEETS MACEDONIAN COUNTERPARTTIRANA, OCT 1 9ATA0- The Albanian deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tritan Shehu, met with his Macedonian counterpart, Ljubomir Frckovski, in New York on Sunday.The meeting took place at the request of the Macedonian side, the Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department reports. Frckovski expressed general positive considerations for the relations with Albania and stressed that the Macedonian side intended to materialise economic cooperation by preparing a free trade agreement. Frckovski said that relations could also be materialised in other fields including education, culture and frontier cooperation. He suggested that preparations began for the meetings of the two premiers, who would sign the above agreements. Shehu appreciated the good relations existing between the two countries, especially economic, cultural, military and inter-border cooperation. He said that Albania, being among the first countries to recognise the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and establishing good bilateral relations with it, showed that it favours good bilateral relations and the strengthening of peace and stability in the region. Shehu devoted special attention to the situation of the Albanians in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and stressed that the bilateral relations would also be largely contingent on the Albanians' situation and position in the Macedonian state. "We are mainly interested in the respect for the just demands of the Albanians of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, such as the rights to all level education, the university included," Shehu said. Shehu in general agreed to his Macedonian counterpart to expand cooperation and prepare the summit meeting of the prime ministers. During his stay in new York Shehu met with the chairman of the Christian mission to the United Nations, Garry Allen. a.ke/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[23] TRITAN SHEHU MEETS MACEDONIAN COUNTERPARTTIRANA, OCT 1 9ATA0- The Albanian deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tritan Shehu, met with his Macedonian counterpart, Ljubomir Frckovski, in New York on Sunday.The meeting took place at the request of the Macedonian side, the Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department reports. Frckovski expressed general positive considerations for the relations with Albania and stressed that the Macedonian side intended to materialise economic cooperation by preparing a free trade agreement. Frckovski said that relations could also be materialised in other fields including education, culture and frontier cooperation. He suggested that preparations began for the meetings of the two premiers, who would sign the above agreements. Shehu appreciated the good relations existing between the two countries, especially economic, cultural, military and inter-border cooperation. He said that Albania, being among the first countries to recognise the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and establishing good bilateral relations with it, showed that it favours good bilateral relations and the strengthening of peace and stability in the region. Shehu devoted special attention to the situation of the Albanians in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and stressed that the bilateral relations would also be largely contingent on the Albanians' situation and position in the Macedonian state. "We are mainly interested in the respect for the just demands of the Albanians of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, such as the rights to all level education, the university included," Shehu said. Shehu in general agreed to his Macedonian counterpart to expand cooperation and prepare the summit meeting of the prime ministers. During his stay in new York Shehu met with the chairman of the Christian mission to the United Nations, Garry Allen. a.ke/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[24] M.SHEHU A RENCONTRE SON HOMOLOGUE MACEDONIEN FRCKOVSKITirana, 1-er octobre /ATA/ Le vice-premier ministre et ministre albanais des Affaires étrangères Tritan Shehu a rencontré mardi à New York son homologue macédonien Ljubomir Frckovski, sur la demande de ce dernier, a fait savoir le service de presse et d'informations du ministère des Affaires étrangères.M.Frckovski a exprimé ses considérations générales positives pour les rapports Macédoine-Albanie et d'indiquer que la partie macédonienne visait à matérialiser la coopération économique bilatérale en préparant un accord pour le commerce libre. Il a affirmé que les rapports bilatéraux pourraient être concrétisés aussi dans d'autres domaines tels l'instruction, la culture, la coopération frontalière. M.Frckovski a suggéré le commencement des préparatifs pour la rencontres des premiers ministres dex deux pays, qui sigeront cet accord. M.Shehu a apprécié les bons rapports existant entre les deux pays et surtout leur coopération économique, culturelle, militaire et frontalière. "L'Albanie a été un des premiers pays à reconnaître l'ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine et à nouer des rapports diplomatiques avec elle témoignant par ces actes qu'elle souhaite avoir de bons rapports bilatéraux et qu'elle est en faveur du raffermissement de la paix et de la stabilité régionales". M.Shehu a attaché une attention particulière à la situation des Albanais dans l'ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine en indiquant que "les rapports bilatéraux seraient conditionnés dans une grande mesure par la situation et la position des Albanais dans cet Etat. Nous sommes très intéressés au respect des justes demandes des albanais de cette république, tels les droits à l'instruction dans tous les niveaux, y compris l'université", a affirmé M.Shehu. Le ministre albanais et son homologue sont convenus d'elargir la coopération bilatérale et de préparer la rencontre des premiers ministres des deux pays. Durant sa visite à New York, M.Shehu a rencontré aussi le président de la mission chretienne auprès l'ONU Gery Allen. /AKE-LP/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[25] PCEC MEETS CE PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONTIRANA, OCT 1 (ATA)-By A.Frasheri,The procedures adopted so far by the Permanent Central Electoral Commission (PCEC), the instructions and regulations issued by it were some of the issues discussed on Monday by the commission's presidency and members with the CE parliamentary delegation, headed by the former President of the CE Parliamentary Assembly, Karl Ahrens. The planned meeting raised many problems regarding the working procedure, cooperation of the PCEC with the Local Government Secretariat, organisation of seminars to instruct the commission members and other issues. The participants in the meeting also spoke of the deadlines set by the law on various electoral procedures. According to the request of Parliament Speaker Pjeter Arbnori addressed to the President of CE Parliamentary Assembly Fischer for sending CE observers to follow the October 20 local elections in Albania, the electoral campaign and procedures will be observed by 20 European parliamentarians of the whole political spectrum. Some 15 CE specialists in local elections and governing will also be present. pas/lm/Z/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[26] STATEMENT BY H.E. PROF.DR.TRITAN SHEHU DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA TO THE FIFTY - FIRST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLYNew York September 30,1996Mr.President Excellencies, I would like to congratulate You, Mr.President upon your election at the head of the General Assembly and express my best wishes to You. At the same time, I want to convey my sincere appreciation to Your predecessor, His Excellency Prof.Diego Freitas Do Amaral for the excellent manner he directed the proceedings of the Assembly during the last session. On this occasion I extend my highest consideration to the Secretary General, His Excellency Dr.Boutros Boutros Ghali for his great work and tireless efforts in steering the Organization. Mr.President, Despite the difficulties and financial problems the United Nations is striving to play its irreplaceable role to serve peace and security concentrating mainly on peace keeping operations for the beneficial of humankind, as well as to promote international cooperation. The blue helmets of the UN have already returned into symbol of hope for peace in places of conflicts. The Albanian Government sincerely wishes that a lasting peace prevail life in ex - Yugoslavia the Middle East, Afghanistan, Tadjikistan, Burundi,Liberia and elsewhere. Mr.President, The United Nations is undergoing today the most severe financial crisis in its history. This year alone the organization ran three times out of money in its regular budget resorting to the budget of the peacekeeping operations. Apart from the financial difficulties, today's demands and the future challenges make it necessary for the UN to undergo a general reform of its entire system. Albania has actively participated in the debate on the preparatory process to reform the Security Council within the framework of the Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council. Albania supports the idea of giving permanent seats to Germany and Japan in the Security Council. We also think that other options of reforming it in terms of a larger and a more diverse participation might be considered as possible ways of making a Security Albanian Telegraphic Agency[27] JOINT AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN ALBPETROL AND INA-NAFTALINTIRANA, OCT. 2 (ATA) - By S Sharrexhi: A joint agreement was signed today between the Croatian company Ina-Naftalin and the Albanian Albpetrol company for research of oil and gas in the Panaja-Vlora block.The agreement was signed in the Ministry of Mining and Energy Resources in Tirana by the director of Albpetrol Afrim Jupi and by the general director of Ina-Naftalin, Andrija Kojakovic. Attending the signing ceremony were the Albanian Prime Minister, Aleksander Meksi, Croatian Prime Minister Zllatko Matesha, the Albanian minister of Mining and Energy resources Abdyl Xhaja, the President of Abpetrol Fotaq Diamanti, the Croatian Ambassador in Tirana, Mlladen Juricic and others. During the period of researches envisaged to last four years, the Croatian company will invest 4.7 million dollars. After this stage, if oil or gas will be uncovered, then investments will be made jointly, 75 per cent by the Croatian company and 25 per cent by the Albanian company. The total investment for the research of oil and gas in that block, according to the agreement which will last for 25 years, is expected to be 70 million dollars." jz/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[28] ALBANIA PRESENTS INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTIONTIRANA, OCT. 2 (ATA) - Albanian deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Arian Starova today handed over to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg Mr Daniel Tarchys Albania's instruments of ratification of the European Convention of the Defence of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, its supplementary protocols, of the European convention which bans torture and maltreatment or degrading handling and its supplementary protocols, press and information office of the Foreign Ministry of Albania reports.After the ceremony, Mr Starova had a separate meeting with Mr Tarchys in which they exchanged opinions on the present situation and developments in Albania and the future cooperation between Albania and the Council of Europe. Then, Mr Starova had meetings with the director of the Human Rights department Mr Imbert and deputy secretaries of the European Commission and Court of the Human Rights, respectively Mrs Buquicchio and Mr Mahoncy. They discussed promotion of the process of Albania's integration in the European judicial structures for the defence of the human rights, after the conventions will be ratified. ssh/jz/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[29] CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION ADOPTS REGULATION "ON PRESENCE OF FOREIGN AND LOCAL OBSERVERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS"TIRANA, OCT 2 (ATA) - By Atlant Frasheri: Yesterday, the Central Election Commission adopted the regulation "On presence of foreign and local observers in local government elections.""Foreign observers are considered: a) the parliamentary representatives of the OSCE states, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the U.S. Senate and Congress and other organizations which deal with the issue of the human rights; b) representatives of foreign political parties and movements and individuals invited by parties or groups of parties; c) representatives authorized by local and foreign organizations specialised in elections," says article 1 of the regulation. According to the law on elections, the Parliament, state and party subjects have the right of inviting foreign observers. The regulation also sanctions the activity of local observers. kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[30] CEREMONY IN ALBANIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY ON OCCASION OF THE BEGINNING OF FUNDAMENTAL COURSE FOR STAFF OFFICER - BerishaTIRANA, OCT. 2 (ATA) - By Zamir Mulaj: The ceremony held today in the Defence Academy in Tirana marked the beginning of the fundamental course of the Staff Officer, a cooperation between the Defence Academy of Albania with the Management Academy of Hamburg, Germany.Attending the ceremony were the President of Albania and General Commander of the Armed Forces, Sali Berisha, Defence Minister Safet Zhulali, the chairman of the Parliamentary Defence Commission, Agron Musaraj, state secretary in the Defence Ministry Leonard Demi and the commander of the Defence Academy, Brigade General Ali Koceku. Also present were the military delegation of the Management Academy of Hamburg and the commander of this academy, Admiral Langer. "The opening of the course," said President Berisha, "is continuation of reformation of the Albanian army. "I express my thanks to the German government, Chancellor Kohl, Minister of Bundeswehr, Volker Reuhe, admiral Langer for the support given to the Albanian Army," said Berisha. He added that the course, the joint manoeuvres, cooperation with IFOR are testimonies to the understanding of the two peoples and the friendship linking the two countries." President Berisha stressed the reformation and modernization of the Albanian army and said that "our efforts will continue in order that the Albanian army be a worthy partner of NATO." Admiral Langer focused in his address on the fact that the Albanian Army has made great steps in its modernization and dignified presentation in the euro-atlantic structures. He underlined that the German Government will be a close partner of Albania and will contribute to the modernization of the structures of the Albanian army. The chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Army, Sheme Kosova, stressed the assistance of Bundeswehr, NATO, other European countries and the U.S. for the modernization of the Albanian Army. The new course will be attended by 720 officers. kled/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[31] SERBIAN SOCIALISTS RULE OUT POSSIBILITY OF TALKS WITH ALBANIANS ON KOSOVA STATUSPRISHTINE, OCT. 1 (ATA) - By B Jashari: Pre-election campaign of the Socialist Party of Serbia which is holding power in Kosova, is being conducted in the sense of preparing the Serbian opinion against talks with Albanians for the political status of Kosova."There are no bargains about the status of Kosova." This is the main headline in today's Serbian paper Jedinstvo, which writes about a meeting of the Serbian socialists in the commune of Vitia and in which chairman of the SP Council of Serbia Vojisllav Zhivkovic had spoken about Kosova. Recently, Zhivkovic has also spoken in Gjakova, Gllogovc, Dragash etc, stressing that "for the SP of Serbia, a correct solution for Kosova means its full integration in Serbia." Zhivkovic has also confirmed that "the Republic of Serbia has never and in no moment changed its stand towards Kosova and does not intend to change it in the future." According to these declarations, Serbia will not change the policy of violence, terror, apartheid, genocide, discrimination, ethnic cleansing in Kosova. A consequence of this unchanged Serbian stand is also the non- execution of the agreement for Albanian education in Kosova. As has been made known to the public opinion, the agreement is being misinterpreted and the return of Albanian pupils and students in their school and university premises is conditioned with renunciation of the independence of the Albanian school, something that Albanians can never agree with. The chairman of the rump Yugoslavia, Zoran Lilic, declared recently in the review Nedelni Dnevnik of Novi-Sad that the agreement for the Albanian education in Kosova "crowns the 6 year efforts of the state institutions to establish a normal educational system of Serbia in Kosova." In this context, the question of the Albanian school in Kosova and the agreement signed for it, are being misused in the electoral campaign of Serbian socialists. The secretary of Serbian socialists in Kosova Millorad Samargic, in an electoral meeting in Zubin Patok, near Mitrovica, according to Jedinstvo, stressed that "the educational system is unique for the entire Republic of Serbia" and as such "it should include the Albanians of Kosova." The fact that the agreement is not being realised shows that many difficulties exist for its realisation. The fact that the agreement was also the first step towards other solutions in Kosova shows how difficult is the road of solutions due to the "unchanged stand of Serbia towards Kosova." pta/pas/xh/sh/ Albanian Telegraphic Agency[32] NEWS CONFERENCE OF ALBANIAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT LEADERTIRANA, OCT. 2 9ATA) - By Agim Baci: "The preparatory stage for the electoral campaign is over. The Christian Democratic Party has candidates in 37 districts for advisers, in 21 municipalities for mayors and over 100 communes for chairmen of commune," said today in a news conference the chairman of the Christian Democratic Party of Albania, Zef Bushati. He also said that he has invited his electorate to vote for the DP candidates in those election zones where his party has no candidates.Then, Bushati responded questions made on the recent problems emerged in the CDP, and about an extraordinary congress of this party. "Career-seeking elements in the CDP, by violating the law 'On political parties' and the status of the CDP, organized a variety show in Tirana," said Bushati referring to the extraordinary congress." "We have not misused any fund" said Bushati in reply to an accusation on funds allegedly misused by him. Referring to a conflict with the Albanian Christian Democratic party in Kosova, Mr Bushati made public the protest addressed to the Foreign Ministry of the Government of Kosova for interference in the internal affairs of the Christian Democratic Party of Albania. For the creation of such a situation, Bushati accused Zef Camajn, who has come from abroad, as a "career-seeking and with a suspicious biography." kled/xh/sh/ From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ataAlbanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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