Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-09

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] "Glina" water soon to Italy

[02] Third Congress of Socialist Party of Albania starts

[03] Lek, one of the most required currencies in money market

[04] Press review

[05] Tropoje inhabitants want functioning of Qafe Morine customs point

[06] Albanian President demands a mini-Schengen in the Balkan region

[07] The Table for the Reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe opened

[08] Italy offers 400 billion lira for reconstruction of the Balkans From Bari, Dorian Koca:

[09] Italian PM hails participants in Stability Pact meeting

[10] Investment Charter likely to be signed by beginning of 2000 By Dorian Koca:

[11] Financial institutions to study projects presented at Bari meeting

[01] "Glina" water soon to Italy

He said that 200 tons of mineral water were recently exported to Greece and soon will start the export toward Italy, which will grow gradually in quantity.

The "Anonime Kakavije" company, founded in 1991 in Vrisera village of the Upper Dropull, in the Gjirokaster district, is trying to make possible "Glina" export to Cyprus.

This company, apart from the production of several drinks has the patent to produce "Glina" mineral water, one of the highest quality and most preferred product in the Albanian market. /dast/gs/

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[02] Third Congress of Socialist Party of Albania starts

After announcement of the agenda and after the National Anthem was played, the Secretary General of the Socialist Party and Premier of Albania, Pandeli Majko, opened the congress with the report on the activity of Socialist Party in the period between the two congresses and the achievements of the socialist-led coalition government after it took this mandate on June 29, 1997.

In the tribune of the Congress, along with Majko, is also the former SP chairman Fatos Nano, one of the main rivals of Majko for the post of the party chairman.

The congress will continue proceedings also on Sunday with the election of the new chairman of the Socialist Party and the adoption of the changes to the statute and the program of the Socialist party. /s.s./xh/

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[03] Lek, one of the most required currencies in money market

Differently from all states of Eastern Europe, where the local money have considerably devaluated, the Albanian Lek continues to consolidate its positions.

The challenge that Lek is making to foreign currencies including the U.S. dollar, has gone beyond forecasts of the Albanian Central Bank.

In a report of this Bank, based also on the suggestions of the IMF and the World Bank at the beginning of this year, it was said that USD1 is changed with averagely 145-150 Lek.

But differently from any forecasts of specialists of Albanian banks, Lek continues to strengthen, thus becoming one of the most required in the money market.

On Oct. 8, USD1 was bought in the free market with 132.2 lek and sold at 132.5 lek, while the state-run savings bank bought USD1 with 131.5 lek. /dast/xh/

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[04] Press review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily

- "Majko: If Nano wins, I resign on Monday". The Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko, last night invited by the Albanian Television in the program "Dritare", said that in case of failure in the Congress he will return to the Party's base. - "Meta (junior), to FRESSH: Feel free to vote for anyone you want". This is Meta's declaration, deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Albanian Eurosocialist Forum (FRESSH). - "The new DP chairmanship; Nothing against Berisha". Jozefina Topalli and Jemin Gjata are the two DP deputy chairpersons, elected last night by the National Council.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily

- "Majko: If Nano wins I withdraw".Today is the first day of the Socialist Party Congress, and tomorrow is expected the election of the new leader. - "Gjana and Topalli, the two vices of Berisha in DP". The DP national Council last night voted the chairmanship and the heads of the parliamentarian group of this Party. - "Minister Poci: 32 gangs destroyed". The minister of the Public Order, Spartak Poci, affirmed in a press conference yesterday.

"SHEKULLI", independent daily.

- "Ceco, Nano's premier". Former SP leader and Premier Fatos Nano, has already drafted the new government staff in case of victory in the SP Congress. - "Meta: Nano, no alternative". Deputy Premier Ilir Meta firmly supports Majko's candidature for SP leader. - "D'Alema receives Meidani: You have taken positive steps". The Italian Premier, Massimo D'Alema, valued the positive progress Albania has made in talks with the Albanian President Rexhep Meidani,yesterday at Chigi Palace.

Albania, national daily

- "Here is the reason why I met Berisha - Majko." - "Gjana instead of Pollo, Topalli deputy chairman." - "Now, let us make preparations for elections."

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

- "We have the passport of the centenary - Majko" - "Fight against gangs will continue at any cost - Poci." - "Majko and Angjeli meet 200 greatest taxpayers."

Rilindja Demokratike, daily paper of the Democratic Party of Albania. - "DP leadership reanimated." - "SP in half: Nano or Majko?

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Chains for 10 VIPs." - "Albania, one of the centres of organized crime." /gs/xh/

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[05] Tropoje inhabitants want functioning of Qafe Morine customs point

The head of the district council, Xhevdet Hoxha, told ATA that they had demanded from state structures to open a customs point at Qafe Morine. This, according to him, would make possible the transport of goods between inhabitants on both sides of the border.

The local government of this district, North-East of Albania, has demanded several times in the recent years the opening of this customs point because of the vicinity of the city of Bajram Curri with some Kosovo cities and the kinship relations among inhabitants of both sides of the border.

At the moment, the Morine customs point in the Kukes district is the only one functioning for the transport of goods. /dast/gs/xh/

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[06] Albanian President demands a mini-Schengen in the Balkan region

The Head of the Albanian state took the floor today in the International Conference "The European Union, the Balkans and Danubian zone" being held in Venice by the Institute Aspen Italia, led by the former Defence Minister of Italy, Beniamino Andreatta.

"The necessary climate and structures should be formed for the security, free movement and, at first, a mini--Schengen must be established and then one can talk of an integration of this region into the European Union," said President Meidani.

Taking part in the conference were personalities of Europe, such as defence ministers of the NATO countries, the U.N. Coordinator for Kosova, Bernard Kouchner, the U.N envoy for the Balkans, Karl Bildt and other personalities. /dast/xh/

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[07] The Table for the Reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe opened

The meeting will treat issues on the integration into European structures, mainly trade issues, private sector development, investment card, which implies cooperation in the private sector in the context of existing initiatives.

It will also treat issues on the anti-corruption initiatives, navigation on Danube, along with the examination of the programs and projects in the framework of the existing initiatives.

The Albanian delegation is composed of seven persons headed by Gramoz Pashko, economic counsellor of the Premier Majko. It comprises specialists from the Unit of the Priority Projects and experts from several ministries.

In this conference is also present the permanent representative of IMF in Tirane, Volker Treichel.

The time and place of the successive meeting of this work Table will be appointed at the end of the session. /dast/gs/

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[08] Italy offers 400 billion lira for reconstruction of the Balkans From Bari, Dorian Koca:

BARI, Oct. 9 (ata) - The round table for the reconstruction of Southeast Europe should be, in fact, a central instrument in the individualisation of the priorities for the integrated development, said on Saturday, Umberto Ranieri, Assistant Secretary for Foreign Policy of Italy.

"In this direction, Italy sees the role of the European Union as central for the process of the economic integration of the region in view of the perspective of an extended Europe," said Ranieri on the first day of a conference being held in Bari of Italy, in the context of the Stability Pact.

According to Ranieri, "for this conference we have presented a document, describing the commitment of the Italian cooperation in the Balkans. In the last years, we have financed an intervention in the zone, with a fund of 1044 billion lira. At least, one third is earmarked for projects in the infrastructure. Yesterday, the Italian Government approved a draft law for 400 000 other billion lira for new intervention, aiming to promote the stability in the Balkan zone."

"We think that the process of stability of the development of the Balkans, especially the fundamental economic component, must considerably elevate the level of the infrastructure of transport in the region," he said in his speech.

Ranieri considers as important the project of Corridor 8, as the fundamental axis along which the economic and social development of the Adriatic and the Black Sea must be materialised. /xh/

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[09] Italian PM hails participants in Stability Pact meeting

"The presence of delegations for the Stability Pact gives us a special plasure. It testifies to the important role of Italy in establishing economic, political and cultural relations in Southeastern Europe," said the Italian Premier.

Further on, speaking of Italy's work programme in the framework of the Stability Pact, D'Alema said that it will focus on two directions.

First, he said, come the urgent aid programs and second the materialisation and individualisation of the International Community, projects so that development starts.

D'Alema, referring to anti-corruption initiatives that have to do with Albania, told a news conference held later that "cooperation started with Albania in customs is on the right track and we are working together to avoid corruption and contraband in this field". /dast/so/lm/

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[10] Investment Charter likely to be signed by beginning of 2000 By Dorian Koca:

"The Charter of Investment is the main element of the Stability Pact and the instrument through which Pact member countries intend to realise economic measures and investments", Hombach said.

He said the aim of the Stability Pact is to create legal and security conditions for the investors to feel calm and attracted to the Balkans.

"For the time being we are discussing a project proposed by Great Britain and the United States, but the Investment Charter will become a common priority of all participants in the Stability Pact", said Hombach. /dast/so/lm/

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[11] Financial institutions to study projects presented at Bari meeting

Bari, Oct 9 (ATA)-The Southeastern Europe Reconstruction Meeting, in the framework of the Stability Pact, ended proceedings in Bari on Saturday evening.

At the end of this working meeting at experts level, the European Investment Bank (EIB) was decided upon to undertake the study of the projects to develop infrastructure, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to study projects to support private sector and the World Bank (WB) to study the general framework of regional development.

"Today's meeting determined that Albania in the year 2001 be the organiser of the Southeastern Europe Reconstruction Meeting," said the head of the Albanian delegation, Gramoz Pashko.

He explained that this meeting will be organised in the year 2001 by Albania under the rotation method. But after the Bari meeting, that is, in the year 2000, it will hold proceedings in Macedonia.

The Albanian experts once again presented the priority projects such as those of infrastructure, including the 8th and North-South corridors as well as the Durres-Prishtine motorway. Projects in the field of energy and development of telecommunication were also presented.

Pashko said that the Albanian delegation asked that the institutional reforms within the Stability Pact also include Kosova. /led/lm/

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