Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-21

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Italian Premier D'Alema arrives in Albania

[02] Press review

[03] Albanians obliged to buy used clothes

[04] Exchange rates in Tirane

[05] First contemporary bookshop to open in Tirane soon

[06] The Italian assistance for Albania evaluated $500 million

[07] D'Alema meets with Majko and Meidani

[08] WB provides US$ 15 000 to bring electricity in Butrinti

[09] ICE headquarters inaugurated in Tirane

[10] D'Alema pledges Italian support for Albania

[11] Italy to provide Albania with political, economic support

[12] Italian and Albanian Prime Minister inaugurated Fiera Del Levante Fair in Tirana

[13] Italian investors ask to be included in EU and World Bank projects

[14] Albania-Italy relations, in a qualitatively new stage - Majko

[15] 33 million dollars on rehabilitation of rural roads - AFD

[16] Italy to support Albania politically and economically

[17] Italian-Albanian relations are a connection point between EU and the Balkans - D'Alema

[18] Italian-Albanian relations are a connection point between EU and the Balkans - D'Alema

[19] Assistance for Hasi inhabitants till Spring 2000

[01] Italian Premier D'Alema arrives in Albania

At Rinas airport D'Alema was received by Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko.

During his stay in Tirane, D'Alema will conduct a series of meetings with Albanian senior authorities such as President of the Republic Rexhep Meidani and Prime Minister Pandeli Majko.

D'Alema, along with Majko, will attend the inauguration ceremony of Fiera Del Levante, in which the two premiers are also expected to hold a joint news conference. /dast/lm/

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[02] Press review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily.

- "Sali Berisha: "I am with Majko, against Nano". The democrat leader, Sali Berisha declared yesterday that when he comes back to power will send again to the Prison of Bence (Tepelene) the socialist leader Fatos Nano. - "The "Skenderbej" Square, Berisha's vote of confidence". The DP started preparations for the rally of Sunday, apparently to be a difficult test on the number of this Party's supporters. - "Fiera Del Levante, permanent office in Tirane". The Italians decided to open a permanent office of "Fiera Del Levante" in Tirane, the extraordinary commissar of "Fiera Del Levante" in Albania, Francesco Divella, announced yesterday.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily.

- "Majko threatens: SP will be divided". The Albanian Premier Pandeli Majko was expressed in an absolute manner against the convening of congress, saying that "such a precedent would inspire a useless division of SP". - "Gjinushi: I recognize Pollo as leader". The head of the Albanian Parliament Skender Gjinushi, yesterday said that he recognizes as leader only the names the parliamentary group hands in, thus being in compliance with the parliament regulation. - "Robbery in Kukes, two policemen injured". A group of masked persons opened fire against the city bank van on Wednesday on the outskirts of Kukes.

"SHEKULLI", independent daily.

- "Bloodshed for the millions of the bank". The guard of the Kukes Bank, his nephew and another policeman, yesterday assaulted a vehicle carrying monetary values towards the Bank of Has. - "Tirana does not recognize Nano's convention". Over 500 deputies of the capital city did not approve of the idea of the newly elected SP leader, Fatos Nano. - "Brojka: Nano and Berisha should have been prevented from returning". Interview with the Mayor of Tirane, Albert Brojka.

"ALBANIA", daily national

- "Police against Nano's congress?". - "Fatos Klosi wins the law-case against Majko". - "IMF: Find the causes that weakened the U.S.Dollar".

"ZERI i POPULLIT", daily of the Socialist Party of Albania

- "One of the robbers killed, in attempt to rob the money of the bank. A robber killed." - "Nano: Yes, the congress will assemble." - "Majko: I do not participate in this activity."

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of the Democratic Party of Albania

- "The statesmen steal $320 million." - "Berisha meets the French ambassador."

"REPUBLIKA", daily of the Republican Party of Albania.

- "Cea: $10 thousand for a job." - "Two policemen wounded and one robber killed" /gs/

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[03] Albanians obliged to buy used clothes

They prefer instead simple, enormous, noisy markets of used clothes, sold at very low prices.

These markets can be found everywhere in the capital, close to the former exhibition "Albania Today", train's station or roads' crossings.

Besa, 40, says: "I buy clothes here because it is cheaper.I am a teacher and with my salary I can hardly feed my children and imagine how could I buy clothes in the shops".

In fact with the salary 10-12 thousand leks ($ 85) of a state employee you could buy only a pair of shoes that cost 6 thousand leks ($45) and a blouse 4 thousand leks ($35). Instead, at the market of the used clothes they would go several times cheaper.

Conditions of dealers and consumers are more or less the same. The former sell in these markets to earn their living while the second ones buy there to spend as little as possible... /dast/so/

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[04] Exchange rates in Tirane

Foreing currency exchange rates

Currency Buying Selling

US$ 132 132,5 DM 72,3 72, 6 ITL (1000) 72,7 73

GRD (100) 42,5 42,8 /dast/so/lm/

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[05] First contemporary bookshop to open in Tirane soon

The bookshop, which will be located at the Palace of Culture, will however change the way of book trading, which actually is being handled under very poor conditions.

The first modern bookshop will offer sale of books in Albanian, of all genres as well as books, magazines, CD-rom in foreign languages.

"Adrion Co" says that the conditions in the bookshop will be of contemporary level.

Teodor Misha, President of "Adrion Co", says that the library fund will be enriched constantly by publishing houses, while the foreign books will be ensured by "Adrion Co" itself.

The bookshop is a project of the Ministry of Culture and the Council of Europe started several months ago. /dast/lm/

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[06] The Italian assistance for Albania evaluated $500 million

The Albanian Premier, Pandeli Majko and the Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema will participate in the inauguration ceremony to take place at 12.00.

The fair occupies a 7000 square meters square. In this activity will participate 350 companies not only from Italy and Albania, but also from Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Macedonia etc.

The Italian assistance consists in the rehabilitation of the infrastructure sectors, energetic system, supplying with water and supporting the Albanian administration with technical assistance. Albanian and Italian experts of the field of economics and finance are actually working to enhance the assistance efficiency of the Italian Government in drafting and applying concrete projects for the development of the economy.

Italy is the most favoured trade-partner of Albania. The Albanian exportation to Italy in 1991 made up 10% of the total value of exportation, whereas by the end of 1998 it represented 60% of the total value. The importation from Italy in 1991 composed 12% of the total value, by the end of 1998, it reached 44% of the total value of importation.

The exportation to Italy, during the first six-month period of 1999, was $108 million or 71,8% of the total value of exportation, whereas the importation from Italy during the same period amounted to $203 million or 32,5% of the total importation. /gs/

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[07] D'Alema meets with Majko and Meidani

A meeting is underway between the Italian and Albanian Premiers and Italian investors at the Palace of Congresses.

After the inauguration of Fiera del Levante, D'Alema and Majko are scheduled to hold a joint conference. /s.sh/lm/

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[08] WB provides US$ 15 000 to bring electricity in Butrinti

"This fund will make possible the electrification of the main archeological sites of the antique city as well as the premises of the medieval castle," the above mentioned sources reported.

The electrification of Butrinti, realized in 1996, with a fund provided by UNESCO, (around US$ 20 000), was destroyed during March 1997's unrest, while all equipment was looted.

The antique city of Butrinti, South Albania, is like a microcosms in the Mediterranean history, with monuments belonging to Mid Paleolithic (50 000 b. C), up to XVIII-th century.

The archeological-historical zone, registered in the list of UNESCO's inheritance world centers since 1993, preserves a cultural diversity wealth connected with a 3 000 year history of the mankind. /so/

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[09] ICE headquarters inaugurated in Tirane

Italian Minister for Foreign Trade Piero Fassino and Albanian Minister Ermelinda Meksi inaugurated the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE) in Tirane on Wednesday evening.

"It is a concrete demonstration of the Italian commitment in Albania", said Fassino, adding that "D'Alema will be in Tirane on Thursday to show that Italy keeps considering Albania a key point of the whole strategy of Italian presence in the Balkans."

The Italian Minister also evaluated the second edition of "Fiera Del Levante" as "a means at the disposal of Albanian economy to continue growth."

Fassino mentioned Italy's engagement in Albania in the framework of the Stability Pact and bilateral agreements.

"Fiera del Levante", Assindustria and the regional center for foreign trade of Puglia will have their headquarters at the center set up at the Palace of Culture along that of ICE. /lh/gs/lm/

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[10] D'Alema pledges Italian support for Albania

Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema on Thursday assured Albanian President Rexhep Meidani that Italy is interested in continuing support for Albania in economic development, the president's press office told ATA.

In his meeting with Albanian President in Tirane D'Alema hailed Albania's achievements in creating a secure and attractive environment for foreign investments, in maintaining stability, which is significant also for the region.

Meidani appreciated the Italian aid for all sectors and considered important an increased presence in Albania, with the conviction that Fair "Fiera del Levante" will serve this goal as well.

He familiarised the Italian Premier with several zones of the country which are experiencing an economic impetuous development, thanks to the Italian investments, and suggested an increased interest in the zone of Vlore, through opening an Italian consulate there, increased investments, indirectly fighting the causes of illegal emigrants trafficking in this zone.

D'Alema reconfirmed Italy's interest in a stabilised Albania, through the creation of equilibriums which guarantee institutional stability of the relations between the coalition government and the opposition, in the spirit of renovation and development. /dast/lm/

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[11] Italy to provide Albania with political, economic support

Fassino, who arrived in Albania today for a one-day visit, hailed the important steps in increasing cooperation between the two countries and the number of Italian investors in Albania.

Deputy Minister and Minister for Economic Coordination Ilir Meta said that the Albanian government is preparing a package of measures to stimulate foreign investments at home and stressed the importance of the 8th Corridor for the development of Albania and of the whole region.

At the end of the meeting, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Albania and Albanian Business Organisations Union and the Italian group FINEST and Confid of Vicenza signed the agreement for the creation of a fund of US$ 10 million to guarantee credits for small and medium enterprises.

A Protocol-Agreement was also signed between Albania and Italian railways to institutionalise and undertake concrete steps in the cooperation between the two countries in railway transport. /dast/so/lm/

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[12] Italian and Albanian Prime Minister inaugurated Fiera Del Levante Fair in Tirana

"The second edition of this fair is a pleasure for our country and at the same time a test, which proves that between Bari, Pulja and Albania a real bridge and the foundations of wide range cooperation, not only economic, are set up", stated D'Alema in the opening ceremony of the fair.

He stressed the involvement of Italy and Italian businessmen to accompany and support the Albanian development toward the democracy way, economic increase and stability.

"We passed the war drama, and this tragedy is behind already, now we should restore peace, and we have suggested the holding of Adriatic and Jon conference on security in region, which is approved even by European Council", said D'Alema.

Albanian Prime Minister pointed out in the opening ceremony that Albania and Italy will strengthen the cooperation by looking only to the future.

Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko thanked in the name of Albanian Government and People the Italian military force that was in Albania in the most difficult time of Kosova crisis.

President of Republic Rexhep Meidani was present in the opening ceremony of the fair Fiera Del Levante. /dast/linda/

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[13] Italian investors ask to be included in EU and World Bank projects

Special boards, such as Italian Albanian Bank, Popular Bank of Bari, AREF (Albanian Reconstruction Equity Fund), set up to support the development of the business in private sector in Albania, Trade Chambers from several regions of Italy, Marine Agencies and many strong companies from Italy and other countries of the region were present in this Fair.

Italian investors in the meeting with the Prime Ministers Majko and D'Alema asked for support to increase the Italian investors in Albania. They also requested to be involved in the projects financed by European Union and World Bank.

Meanwhile, the President of Italian Investors Association in Albania Luigi Fabri asked Italian Prime Minister D'Alema for drafting of a plan to abolish the custom tariffs in some countries of Balkan region, because, according to him, "these tariffs hinder social-economic development of the Balkan region countries". /led/linda/

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[14] Albania-Italy relations, in a qualitatively new stage - Majko

PM Majko expressed the commitment of the Albanian Government to protect the country's stability and to continuously improve the law and order. "A new economic reality and space is being outlined in the region, a new market including Albania, Kosova, Macedonia and Montenegro, in which Italian business has been welcomed," said Majko.

"The spirit of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe gives a key position to Albanian-Italian relations and we consider this important," said Majko.

Albanian Prime Minister described the trafficking as overcome and a topic which cannot keep hostage the relations between the two countries.

PM Majko expressed the opinion of the Albanian Government for the latest developments in the region and considered Serbia as the last uncontrolled point of it. /led/xh/

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[15] 33 million dollars on rehabilitation of rural roads - AFD

Referring to the sources from Albanian Fund of Development the main targets of the project are the reconstructions with priority of the rural roads in those areas where the economic development is relatively high, like Tirana-Durres one.

This organization, beside the infrastructure rehabilitation, aims at credit development in rural areas. For this purpose the credit centers are founded in these areas with AFD representatives and has started with offering of the small credits for any kind of activities, the farmers are involve in.

Albanian Fund of Development invested 23,6 million dollars since 1993 in 36 districts of Albania and employed 3 000 people. AFD offered 16,560 small loans for some 13 600 clients, marking a total value of 52 thousand leks and to be paid back within 2 years and a half.

The first phase of implementation of this project will go on in Albania till 2002. /led/linda/

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[16] Italy to support Albania politically and economically

Fassino, who came today in Albania for one day visit, estimated the important steps undertaken to make possible the increase of the cooperation between the two countries and the number of Italian investors in Albania.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Governmental Coordination Ilir Meta explained that Albanian Government is preparing a packet of measures to stimulate the foreign investments in Albania and estimated the importance of Corridor 8 for the development of Albania and whole the region.

At the end of the meeting the representatives of Albanian Trade Chamber and Italian representatives of FINEST and Vincenza Confid signed an agreement on creating a fund of 10 million dollars on the credit insurance for the small and medium enterprises.

A Protocol-Agreement between the Albanian and Italian railways representatives on institutionalizing and undertaking of concrete steps in bilateral cooperation in the field of railway transport is signed, as well. /dast/linda/

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[17] Italian-Albanian relations are a connection point between EU and the Balkans - D'Alema

According to him, a strategic importance in this connection has the construction of Corridor 8 and the Tirane-Durres-Kosova highway.

D'Alema said that the Italian-Albanian cooperation is very good not only at the governmental level but also at the economic, intellectual level and in several fields.

PM D'Alema said that the Balkan stability does essentially depend on the stability and development of Albania. "Public order and a favorable climate for investors are the points which will urge Italian businessmen to come to Albania," he said.

D'Alema judged that it is the right moment to give an impetus to the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe so that this initiative become more concrete. D'Alema also underlined that he saw a connection between the development of Kosova, Albania, Macedonia and the whole region in general.

PM Massimo D'Alema was for a continuous presence of NATO troops in Albania, Italian troops included. He stressed the Italian interest that the NATO presence in Albania increase with troops from the U.S., Germany, France and other NATO countries. /lh/xh/

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[18] Italian-Albanian relations are a connection point between EU and the Balkans - D'Alema

According to him, a strategic importance in this connection has the construction of Corridor 8 and the Tirane-Durres-Kosova highway.

D'Alema said that the Italian-Albanian cooperation is very good not only at the governmental level but also at the economic, intellectual level and in several fields.

PM D'Alema said that the Balkan stability does essentially depend on the stability and development of Albania. "Public order and a favorable climate for investors are the points which will urge Italian businessmen to come to Albania," he said.

D'Alema judged that it is the right moment to give an impetus to the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe so that this initiative become more concrete. D'Alema also underlined that he saw a connection between the development of Kosova, Albania, Macedonia and the whole region in general.

PM Massimo D'Alema was for a continuous presence of NATO troops in Albania, Italian troops included. He stressed the Italian interest that the NATO presence in Albania increase with troops from the U.S., Germany, France and other NATO countries. /lh/xh/

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[19] Assistance for Hasi inhabitants till Spring 2000

Sources from the District Board told ATA that the International Red Cross delivers 18 kg food items per month for 4 600 inhabitants of the border villages.

During Kosova conflict the people of Hasi district, especially the ones of border areas, were considerable damaged by the Serb bombardments, mainly in houses, animal stocks, etc. As a result of the shelling and mines near the border, the farmers did not manage to plant the agricultural land. /led/linda/

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