Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-08-24

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Greek government wishes bilateral cooperation broadens - Simitis - Interview with Greek PM Simitis-

[02] Greek Premier Costas Simitis arrives in Albania

[03] Two cooperation protocols signed between Albania and Greece

[04] Press Review

[05] Currency exchange rates in Tirane

[06] Albania and Greece offering good example in Balkans - Majko

[07] Albanian President holds talks with Greek Premier

[08] Meidani demands intensification of bilateral relations between Albania and Greece

[09] Candidacies for the post of SP chairman, to be settled only in the Congress

[10] All Albanian immigrants who are employed to be legalized - Simitis

[11] Self-determination, coexistence and especially peace should prevail in the Balkans - Majko says

[12] A stronger cooperation demanded between police and prosecution office in the struggle against crime

[01] Greek government wishes bilateral cooperation broadens - Simitis - Interview with Greek PM Simitis-

He said Albania's development and progress is to secure stability in the Balkans and for this reason cooperation will make up a key objective of the Greek foreign policy.

"In order to attain this cooperation we followed two basic directions: aid to Albania to integrate it into the international structures of cooperation and economic cooperation."

"The latest turmoil we experienced in Kosova brings to the fore the need for cooperation to restructure the region. We consider that the European Union should contribute to bring the whole Balkans closer to the European family and its institutions," said Simitis.

Cooperation-development-observation of broders-peace-normaliy, these are for us the axes of a new era for the region.

Referring to the issue of the Albanians in Greece and the employment and residence procedures, Simitis stressed that "we have gone ahead with the procedures, which lead to the legalisation of illegal emigrants; we have stressed the need for a better control of illegal emigration; we have spoken of interstate cooperation in public order and the need for an efficient fight against crime."

"Also, Greek minority in Albania makes up the bridge for this cooperation. I express the conviction that the meetings with the Albanian leadership will contribute to the further extension of cooperation between the two countries. /led/lm/

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[02] Greek Premier Costas Simitis arrives in Albania

Present to receive him at the airport was Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

The Greek delegation also includes Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Minister for Information Dimitris Repas and Deputy Minister for National Economy Rodula Zisi.

The first meeting of the Greek high ranking delegation was held at the Prime Minister's office. /s.s/lm/

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[03] Two cooperation protocols signed between Albania and Greece

Albanian and Greek Prime Ministers Pandeli Majko and Costas Simitis at first had a tete-a-tete meeting which was followed by a meeting between the two delegations.

The first protocol, signed by Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou, has to do with an agreement on a joint patrol of the waters between Sarande and Corfu.

The second protocol, signed by Ermelinda Meksi, Albanian Minister for Economic Cooperation and Trade, and Rodula Zisi, Greek Deputy Minister for National Economy, deals with an agreement for the construction of three bridges at the border point of Carshove in Permet.

Sources close to the Albanian Prime Minister told ATA that Simitis, during the meetings, has declared that the amount of US$ 1.5 million, aid to the Albanian state budget, promised at the Donors Conference, will be made present in the coming days.

A meeting is underway between Simitis and the President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani. /led/lm/

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[04] Press Review

"Koha Jone", independent daily.

"Customs workers in bunker, border guards wanted money". "Investigations continue into the event taking place in Morine and Kukes customs one day ago when the police detained several customs workers and a group of contraband sent from the capital. -"Majko: Pay for the Albanian motorway in the Balkans". Premier Majko yesterday declared the construction of Tirane- Prishtine road as the government's priority. -"Shehu: My faction, support for Pollo". Former chairman of the DP, Tritan Shehu, declared on Monday. - "Simitis: Albania with Greece to EU". The Greek PM arrives in Tirane today. He plans to meet with Albania's top authorities. -"Mustafa Leka to Vehbi Alimuçaj". Ex-boss of pyramidal firm "M.Leka" Mustafa Leka arrested by the capital police on Monday.

"Gazeta Shqiptare", independent daily.

-"Majko: We have to build the Durres-Prishtine road". Premier Pandeli Majko called on Albanians to contribute to the construction of the road that will link Tirane with the capital of Kosova, Prishtine. -"Simitis in Tirane today: New ways to cross the two borders". Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is expected to arrive in Tirane today with the promise of legalizing the Albanian emigrants in Greece.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Majko: Bukosh, your marks for the Durres-Prishtine road. PM Majko yesterday asked that a bank account opens through voluntary contribution to build the Durres-Prishtine road. "Tritan Shehu: Sali Berisha, incorrigible communist". Former DP chairman analyses changes to the statute and lack of candidatures for chairman. "Businessmen in Kukes arrested. They have given bribes in customs". Confrontation continues between the public order forces and the customs workers of Morine, Kukes.

Albania, independent daily,

"Mustafa Leka arrested" "Ermelinda Meksi: We lost half of the money the world provided us with".

Ekonomia, daily of the Albanian Agency for Economic Development, "Albania- Greece: Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Tirane today". "It is high time to buy foreign currency". "Taxes: 30% more licenses than in 1998".

"Zeri i Popullit, daily of the Socialist Party of Albania,

"Tirane-Prishtine Road links two Albanian poles". "Prosecutor: reciprocal elimination of rival groups".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania

"NIS", arms base in Tropoje". "Thirteen foreign prostitutes detained in Shkoder".

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania,

"Ministers, properties in the name of women". "Contraband assumes another direction". /y.pa/so/lm/

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[05] Currency exchange rates in Tirane

currency buying selling $US 132,8 133 DM 71,5 72 ITL(1000) 71,7 72 GRD(100) 42,5 42,7 /lm/

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[06] Albania and Greece offering good example in Balkans - Majko

"Albania and Greece are offering a good example in the Balkans, for the way they are resolving problems in their relations," the Prime Minister's spokesman cited Majko as saying.

Further on, Majko appreciated the aid the Greek government and people offered to Albania to cope with the humanitarian crisis, during the conflict period in Kosova.

Majko and Simitis first had a tete-a-tete meeting, which was followed by a meeting between the Albanian and Greek delegations.

Now the two Prime Ministers are visiting the "Gjergj Kastriot- Skenderbej" Museum in Kruje. Majko and Simitis will hold a joint news conference by midday. /s.s/lm/

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[07] Albanian President holds talks with Greek Premier

Sources from the presidency told ATA that Meidani pointed out, by implying the change in ideas between the two interlocutors, that "the fate of Kosove or Monte Negro should be settled by the people of these countries through their free will". According to Meidani the increase of the role of foreign international bodies upon set countries has decreased the importance of independence and borders, but it has put into the fore the importance of inter-independence.

"In this sense, after a period of time, I see the creation of two new units, Kosove and Monte Negro, integrated in EU". These developments made in the climate of Stability Pact, according to Meidani, do not destabilize the Balkans, but on the contrary they serve to the stability and integrity of the region. Meidani expressed his views on the necessity of an integral concept of cooperation of international bodies with an economical-military character as EU and NATO with the Balkan countries.

Simitis presented to Meidani the views of Greek government for a Balkan without antagonisms and crises in the forthcoming years and with peaceful relations between the countries. According to the above mentioned source, Simitis said that "the adoption of a common policy of EU for the Balkans is necessary for the whole Balkan countries and not only for some countries". Simitis told Meidani in the meeting held under closed doors that "EU and NATO should widen the cooperation with the Balkans countries aiming at including them in these bodies" As regards to Kosove issue, Simitis said that Greece is against the change of borders in the Balkans, and that Greece is against creation of new states in the ex-Yugoslavian space, but he said that Greece would accept the creation of a structure with a federal character in Kosove. /led/A.A/

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[08] Meidani demands intensification of bilateral relations between Albania and Greece

"We should do more that we say", said Meidani referring to the bilateral relations.

Albanian President and the Greek Premier discussed about the necessity of implementation of several cooperation agreements, by asking in this context the legalization and legal treating of Albanian immigrants as well as the realization of circulation and employment agreement in the areas situated 25 kilometers within the borders of both countries. He stressed the idea that the Balkan should be a free zone with a common custom and trade system, where the free movement of people remains a priority.

Mr. Simitis expressed the readiness of Greek part to increase the cooperation between the two countries and to increase private investments in Albania.

Albanian President asked the Greek Premier to transmit to his Greek counterpart, Stefanolulos, his greetings and an invitation to visit Albania. /dast/A.A/

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[09] Candidacies for the post of SP chairman, to be settled only in the Congress

According to Zela, it is the Congress of the Party that decides the candidacies for the SP chairman.

As regards to the remarks and the suggestions arriving so far in the structures of the party in the base, Zela said that they mainly deal with the analyses of SP political action and with the objectives this party has for the coming two years to make SP triumph against the other competitive political alternatives in Albania. /led/A.A/

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[10] All Albanian immigrants who are employed to be legalized - Simitis

"The economic immigrants help the development of Greece as well as the development of Albania, but a normal frame should be settled for them, and their living in Greece should be based on some legal procedures", said Simitis.

Greek state has assumed a campaign on return of Albanian refugees, mainly against the ones who are not accomplished with legal documents, two months ago. Cases of return of refugees with the legal documentation are also encountered. /lh/A.A/

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[11] Self-determination, coexistence and especially peace should prevail in the Balkans - Majko says

"The essence of Stability Pact, according to the Albanian government, is the respect of new realities created in the Balkans to built a common future, where the questions for changing or not (changing) the border should not be with two or three meanings", said Majko.

On his behalf, Simitis, said that he was pro the inclusion of all regional countries in the process of economic development and their integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures, without excluding Serbia, perhaps leaded even by Milosheviç.

"This proceeding does not depend on the fact that who governs, but this a process which will last in time and needs time to be realized", said Simitis.

Majko pointed out that he hopes, the Serb opposition finds itself till this time, because according to him, the greatest problem is not Milosheviç, but the Serb opposition which is not creating a clear policy, first of all for the Serbs.

"We can wait, but I am convinced that Kosove Albanians and the people of Monte Negro can not wait, because they are suffering more the consequences of Milosheviç policy", said Majko. /dast/A.A/

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[12] A stronger cooperation demanded between police and prosecution office in the struggle against crime

According to him, another problem to be treated in the seminary is the professional qualification of the officers of legal police of both ministries as a key condition for an accurate and scientific investigation to clear out the events' circumstances.

Participating in the seminary will be the main leaders of the ministry of Public Order and General Prosecution office, as well as the directors of prefecture polices and the prosecutors of main Albanian districts. /lh/A.A/

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