Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-01-22

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From: The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at <http://www.telpress.it/ata>

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] FRENCH PARLIAMENTARIANS SUPPORT ALBANIA'S INTEGRATION WITH EU

[02] CDP DENOUNCES POLITICISATION OF USURY ISSUE

[03] DRAFT-DECREE TO REMIT FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF ELECTION PARTICIPATING POLITICAL PARTIES

[04] ECONOMIC, FINANCE COMMISSION MEMBERS MEET GERMAN ECONOMIC DELEGATION

[05] PRESS REVIEW

[06] GERMANY SUPPORTS ECONOMIC REFORM IN ALBANIA

[07] CONFERENCE OF MAYORS ENDS PROCEEDINGS

[08] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS CHAIRMAN OF ECONOMIC COMMISSION IN GERMAN BUNDESTAG

[09] GREEK AMBASSADOR VISITS GJIROKASTRA

[10] PARLIAMENT CONTINUES ITS PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONS

[11] FROM OFFICIAL VISIT OF ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER IN LISBON

[01] FRENCH PARLIAMENTARIANS SUPPORT ALBANIA'S INTEGRATION WITH EU

"We will support your efforts for cooperation and integration in Europe and the agreements Albania plans to sign with the EU," they told Pollo, chairman of the parliament's commission for European Integration.

Senator Genton and deputy Pandraud appreciated the creation of this commission by the Albanian parliament as an important signal of the will and efforts of Albania's efforts to march towards Europe. a.ke/kled/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] CDP DENOUNCES POLITICISATION OF USURY ISSUE

The Christian Democratic Party (CDP) denounced today the usury problem and urged its analysis by the government.

"The affected citizens should keep self-control and not fall prey to the political forces. The government should urgently analyse the causes and critice those who created this situation", an economic and financial commission of this party said.

The commission asked a greater transparency by the government regarding the affected citizens.

The commission members asked that the issue be discussed at Saturday's meeting with the CDP presidency. pas/lm/e

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] DRAFT-DECREE TO REMIT FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OF ELECTION PARTICIPATING POLITICAL PARTIES

The aim of the draft-law is to consolidate the pluralist spectrum and facilitate the activities of the political parties, which could not meet the conditions of the electoral law and that of local government elections according to which they should win three per cent of the votes in the parliamentary elections and over one per cent in the local government elections. pas/lm/E

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ECONOMIC, FINANCE COMMISSION MEMBERS MEET GERMAN ECONOMIC DELEGATION

Riedl, whose main goal is "to encourage German investment in Albania," said that "Albanias for the Germans is really a very interesting country for investment."

During the meeting they discussed the enlargement of the Rinas airport (whose works are being carried out by the German firm "SIEMENS") and the construction of its terminal.

"For the construction of the terminal the Albanian state is paying nothing. It will be built by four German firms," said Kopliku, who added that the Albanian state will receive revenues every year.

The German investors showed interest in the Albanian legislation, especially in the agreement "On defending investment between Albania and Germany".

The German economic delegation, headed by Riedl, arrived in Albania two days ago, at the invitation of the Speaker of Parliament, Arbnori. The delegation has met President Berisha, Albanian senior officials, businessmen and others.

Mr Riedl visited Albania for the first time in 1982 together with the Deputy Premier of the Land of Bavaria, Mr Strauss. a.ke/jz/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] PRESS REVIEW

Under the title: "Active peaceful resistance - determinant for the Kosova issue," the paper covers the meeting of President Berisha with the deputy chairman of the DLK, Hydajet Hyseni.

"Sentences and fines for the detained by the police," says Rilindja Democratice regarding the Tirana Court's sentences for the participants of the illegal demonstration of January 19.

Zeri i Popullit, under the title "President of "Gjallica" detained by the police", says that the spokesman of the Interior Ministry has told the "Voice of America" that police have detained the president of the "Gjallica" company.

"Penal prosecution against the opposition charged with illegal gathering," is the title of an article regarding the trial against 54 citizens accused of organizing the January 19 rally.

The paper reports that on Thursday in Durres and on Friday in Tirana the SP will hold peaceful rallies of protest.

Newspaper Republika reports on the end of the trial against 54 citizens, accused of organising protests on January 19 under the title:"Thirteen imprisonments and 37 fines for the organisers of the rally".

Republika reports that the VEFA company will help other loan-taking companies to come out of the crisis, citing AliMuca, president of the VEFA company as saying:"Clients be patient: your money is guaranteed".

Under the title: "We are engaged in a correct solution of the Kosova issue", the paper covers the meeting of President Berisha with the deputy chairman of the DLK, Hydajet Hyseni.

The paper says: "One hundred years of war for freedom and independence" regarding a demonstration organised on Tuesday in front of the U.N. headquarters by the Albanian-American community to protest against the denial of the Albanians' rights by the Serb government, Montenegro and Macedonia.

The paper carries an article by the newspaper "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" entitled: "Violence restored to Kosova, to its source".

"Xhaferri closes offices" says Koha Jone on the charitable loan-taking foundation "Xhaferri", which has declared the closing of its offices for three to four days as the money is frozen in the bank.

"Dita Informacion", in the article "New maneuver of VEFA" says that the VEFA company in a short a while undertakes the second action to reduce the interest rates of its loans.

Gazeta Shqiptare, under the title:"Quake in Gjallica: Gerxhalliu detained", says that after the announcement yesterday by radio "The Voice of America" on the arrest by the police of the president of the "Gjallica" company, radio BBC provides an interview with Gjallica's president, who denies being arrested by the police.

The paper carries an interview with Prime Minister Meksi on the measures taken by the government against the usuries' phenomenon. eva/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] GERMANY SUPPORTS ECONOMIC REFORM IN ALBANIA

Riedl was accompanied in his visit to Albania by the head of the Economic Department of the Foreign Ministry of the FR of Germany by Mr Flimm and representatives of the most well known firms in the FR of Germany.

The German delegation expressed the interest and readiness of the German Bundestag, government and businessmen to back the economic reform and invest in Albania.

In the meeting they also discussed the construction of the new terminal of the Rinas airport through the contribution of the German side. The group of the German businessmen also handed over to Belortaja a draft-project of the terminal. a.ke/z/lm/Z/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] CONFERENCE OF MAYORS ENDS PROCEEDINGS

Discussions focused on the new policies regarding the subventions and establishment of prices for public services, their influence on town-halls, as well as the management of sites and private market of houses.

The USAID adviser, Fransis Conway, who discussed in the conference, focussed on the private market of housing.

"Albania, as an ex-communist country, without private properties, finds difficulties in adopting the urbanism structures into the privatization of public property", he said. Further on he talked about the role of local power in the private market of housing, on the control of big constructing companies, the planning of urban borders, etc./jz/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] ALBANIAN PREMIER MEETS CHAIRMAN OF ECONOMIC COMMISSION IN GERMAN BUNDESTAG

"We appreciate the contribution of the German business in Albania and wish it will spread out with new projects in important sector of the Albanian economy", underlined Premier Meksi.

Mr. Riedle, after expressing the support of the German government on the reform and democracy in Albania, pointed out the interest of the German party to strengthen the cooperation with Albania, and particularly to increase the bilateral exchanges in all fields and to open way to a bigger cooperation with German firms.

Meksi and Riedle, as well as the German businessmen, exchanged thoughts about concrete investments of the German business in the field of airports' construction, development of tourism, processing industry, etc./a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] GREEK AMBASSADOR VISITS GJIROKASTRA

During the meeting with the new prefect of Gjirokastra, Thanas Merkuri, the Greek Ambassador stressed that the relations of Greece with Albania have developed in all levels. He expressed the engagement of his country, as member of the European Community, to promote the procedures in realizing the EC projects in Albania. Attending the meeting were the deputies of Human Rights Union Party, Mico and Dule.

In the news conference given Tuesday, Ambassador Prevenderakis stressed that Greece will support Albania's integration into the European Community. Talking about the legalization of the Albanian emigrants in Greece, the Ambassador said that this is an issue which is seriously being examined by the Greek government and the solution of this problem will end soon.

The Greek Ambassador also appreciated the role of Greek minority in Albania as a bridge of friendship between both peoples./jz/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] PARLIAMENT CONTINUES ITS PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONS

The commission of Economy, Finance, Budget and Privatization and the Commission of Food and Agriculture discussed about the draft-law "On the protection of consumer".

While the Commission of Laws discussed in its meeting the draft- decree on an amendment in the law "On the taxes system in the Republic of Albania", the draft-decree on an amendment in the law "On the personal income-tax" and the draft-decree on an amendment in the law "On the tax over the Value Added Tax (VAT)".

The Commission of Mandates, Immunity and Statute continued its discussions on the new statue of the Parliament. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] FROM OFFICIAL VISIT OF ALBANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER IN LISBON

Shehu started his activity with a confidential meeting with Minister Gama, which was followed by official talks between the two delegations, Foreign Ministry spokesman reports.

Minister Gama estimated the great political, legislative and economic changes in Albania in these last five years, considering the difficulties during these processes. He also estimated the level of bilateral developments, which, although modest so far in the economic field, have been fruitful and intensive in the diplomatic and political aspect, as well as in the framework of international multilateral organizations, where our countries adhere.

Minister Gama ensured Shehu on the support of Portugal during the negotiation process for the new accord of Albania with the European Union, considering the enlarge of BE as an important factor for the stability in Europe.

A fruitful cooperation at mutual interest can be reached not only in the fields of tourism and trade, but also in the naval industry and the military field, stressed Gama. For the last one, the ongoing cooperation in the Partnership for Peace is a successful example.

Minister Shehu expressed his delight on the first official visit between two countries. Shehu invited his counterpart to pay an official visit in Albania to see himself the achievements, problems and the prospective of Albania towards the full integration into the European family.

Further on Shehu briefed on the changes in Albania during the years of democracy. He familiarized Gama with Albania's efforts to achieve a new accord with European Union, as well as with the ongoing cooperation of the Albanian military structures with NATO and in the Partnership for Peace.

Further on the talk focused on the issues of international policy, showing special interest on the Kosova issue. Minister Shehu expressed the stand of the Albanian government, which hails the movement for democracy in Belgrade, because a democratic Serbia and a democratic Kosova are the premises for the solution of Kosova issue by democratic means. The Albanian government is against the change of borders by force and thinks that it is the duty of the Kosova people to self-determine for his future, as well as the other people of Former Yugoslavia, stressed Shehu.

With regard to this problem, Minister Gama stressed that his government will propose to EU the opening of its office in Kosova.

After the official talks, both Foreign Ministers gave a common news conference, where they answered to the journalists' interest on fields of cooperation between two countries, the economic situation in Albania, problems of in the region and the cooperation in the international organizations.

The meetings of Foreign Minister Shehu in Lisbon continue. /a.ke/kled/mt/sh/

From the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Home Page at http://www.telpress.it/ata

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