Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-10-25

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] 60 million leks for infrastructure of Shengjin

[02] Albanian PM Majko started official visit to Bulgaria

[03] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

[04] Slow expropriation delays works in Peqin-Elbasan road segment

[05] Budgetary incomes of Albania for 2000 to increase with 16 per cent

[06] The secretary of State for European Integration Maqo Lakrori, submits resignation

[07] German Home Affairs Minister to visit Tirana on Tuesday

[08] Head of OSCE Regional Office in Shkoder replaced

[09] Streets of Krume town illuminated

[10] Teknopolis supports local economies in Albania

[11] 200 anniversary of outstanding Russian poet commemorated

[12] Cooperation relations between Korca and Greek businessmen are established

[13] National Privatization Agency sells in auction three anonymous companies

[14] New anti-contraband groups are set up

[15] Students intercultural relations discussed in seminar

[16] Second fair of Fiera del Levante in Albania closes

[17] USAID, US$ 600 000 for Vegetable Institute

[18] There is progress in fight against negative phenomena in Albania - Ahrens

[19] Italian group "Pooh" to inaugurate playground in Tirane

[20] Situation in Albania needs no fresh elections - Ahrens

[21] Milo asks acceleration of procedures on Association agreement with EU

[22] Majko asks from Bulgarian counterpart close cooperation to realize initiated projects

[23] Division among countries of region might delay Balkans reconstruction - Majko

[24] Albania, Bulgaria urge intensification of relations

[25] PM Majko on Tuesday to present resignation from office

[01] 60 million leks for infrastructure of Shengjin

This fund made possible the realization of various projects for the town infrastructure, resolving some of its most immediate problems, the head of the commune, Gjergj Ivanaj, said on Monday.

Consequently the asphalting of the main street of the town, construction of the new clinic at the center of the commune and total reconstruction of the commune building have been completed, whereas five electric power distributors have been set up resolving the problem of electric power supply. /lh/gs/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] Albanian PM Majko started official visit to Bulgaria

At about 10.30 a.m. PM Majko will meet with his Bulgarian counterpart, Ivan Kostov, while other members of the delegation will have talks with their Bulgarian counterparts.

At about 11 a.m. official talks will be held between the two delegations led by premiers Majko and Kostov, who by noon will hold a joint news conference.

The PM Pandeli Majko will have separate meetings on Monday with Bulgarian President Peter Stojanov and with the Bulgarian Parliament Speaker, Jordan Sokolov. /s.s./xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] Exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

Follow exchange rates of Lek with foreign currencies

Kind of currency Bought Sold USD 132,5 133 DM 72,8 73 LIT (1000) 73 73,5 GRD (100) 42,8 43 /xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Slow expropriation delays works in Peqin-Elbasan road segment

So far only 10km out of 36km of the whole segment, have been expropriated to the owners, Ajkun Ballxhy, chief of the project of the Turkish company BE HA SE, which won the tender to construct this segment, told ATA.

Although the firm started work on August 3, actually has carried out only 9.2 per cent of the expected plan.

The Turkish company which has employed 300 workers, will build fourteen bridges, the longest one being 530m linear at the entrance of Peqin town.

The construction of this road segment, part of Corridor 8 extending from Durres, Albania, to Bulgaria, is financed by World Bank with 22 million ECU. The works are expected to end by 2000. /gs/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] Budgetary incomes of Albania for 2000 to increase with 16 per cent

The budget envisages that the total incomes until the end of 1999 be around 11, 752 billion lek. According to specialists of the Ministry of Finances, the plan of incomes for this year will be realised, taking into account that there are still two months for the year to end.

From the data of this ministry, it comes out that the incomes in the state budget have been almost constant for every month.

On the basis of the realizations for the past nine months of the year by the taxation administration, the specialists of finances say that at the end of 1999, the incomes of the state budget by the taxes administration will be conformed to the plan, 29 billion lek. In the mean time, the annual incomes plan of 43,7 billion lek by the customs administration seems to be difficult to be realised taking into consideration the fact that only 29,7 billion lek have been encased in the budget during the past 9 months.

According to forecasts of the specialists of the Ministry of Finances, the draft budget for the coming year which will be based mostly on the objectives of the midterm program of the Albanian Government and on Agreement ESAF 2, signed with the IMF, envisages an increase of the level of the fiscal year of 16 per cent.

The incomes for 1998 have been 93, 515 billion lek. /xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] The secretary of State for European Integration Maqo Lakrori, submits resignation

Majko declared on the TV Klan talkshow on Sunday evening he did not accept Mr.Lakrori's resignation and considered it as inappropriate.

The Albanian Premier suggested the State Secretary should reflect on this decision "since he is not the only one among my colleagues that is going through hard time."

Lakrori did not get enough votes in the elections for the SP General Steering Committee. /gs/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] German Home Affairs Minister to visit Tirana on Tuesday

According to the spokesperson of the Public Order Ministry of Albania, the two ministers will discuss the consolidation of the cooperation between the two countries in the field of public order, determine the logistic and technical aid and other issues of mutual interest.

This is the third visit of the German Home Affairs Minister, Schili in Albania. The last visit was that made some months ago, during which Mr Schily pledged that German assistance for Albanian police would continue. /lh/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] Head of OSCE Regional Office in Shkoder replaced

According to him, the chief of the OSCE Office in Shkoder is named the Austrian, Vubert Netuock. He replaces to that post the British Bill Foston, who held the position of the chief of the office for a 6-month period.

A few days ago, the OSCE Office in Malesi e Madhe, Northern Albania, was closed. The office was established to monitor closely the situation on the border between Albania and Montenegro during the Kosova crisis.

The OSCE Regional Office in the city of Shkoder was opened in 1997. It observes closely the political and economic situation in that region and offers technical assistance to the local government, judiciary, media, etc. /lh/xh/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] Streets of Krume town illuminated

According to him, this was made possible by the humanitarian association Care International, which allocated 2.2 million leks. The operations were completed within two months by Has private construction firms.

At the moment, in the district of Has which hosted over 56 000 Kosovars, Albanian state and UNHCR are making considerable investments in the sectors of infrastructure, education and health service. /lh/gs/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] Teknopolis supports local economies in Albania

Nikola Sasanelli, secretary of marketing and the representative in the talks on assignment of the contract with eh Albanian representatives, said on Monday for ATA that "soon this center will come true even for Albania". This project is prepared since two years ago.

Teknopolis, with a staff of some 200 employees, is a non-profitable association in Bari province and consists of three departments.

The Department of local innovations aims at promoting, planning and managing the strategic programs aiming at local development and promotion of the developing programs in Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. The department of engineering system offers technological solutions on different and complex problems in services, such as industrial researches and technology consults.

Meanwhile, the third department has to do with an advanced center training centers in local and public administration.

This initiative to start in Albania will be spread in Jerusalem, Cairo, Tunisia, Libya and other Mediterranean countries. /led/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] 200 anniversary of outstanding Russian poet commemorated

Organizers of this activity dedicated to the 200 anniversary of the birth of Russian genies were the association "The friends of Pushkin", the League of Albanian writers and artists, the historical museum and the Russian embassy in Tirane.

During this activity scholars of literature analyzed and interpreted the world work of the writer through their speeches, and they brought for the first time the work of Pushkin in Albanian language.

The scholar Jorgo Bllaci held a speech on the work of Pushkin, his role in the Russian and world culture and on the actuality his work transmits even nowadays.

"Pushkini laid the foundation of the Russian literary language and left behind a gracious literary work which is read and is actual even for the actual society", said Bllaci. /led/A.A/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Cooperation relations between Korca and Greek businessmen are established

The businessmen of the two towns should encourage the investments in Korca, while the two trade chambers have to organize joint activities in stimulating of this business is decided in the meeting with the representatives of Trade Chamber of Korca and the representatives of Local Government of Katerin town.

The president of Katerin Trade Chambers Niko Vulgaraqis estimated the great productive and intellectual capacity of Korca region and expressed the involvement of the businessmen of his town to invest as soon as possible in Korca.

Korca trade and Industry Chamber have regular contacts with several trade chambers in different Greek towns, such as Selonki, Kozani, Follorina, Ioninna,etc.

There are 38 Greek investors that perform their activities in Korca region in aggro-food industry, clothes, etc. /led/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] National Privatization Agency sells in auction three anonymous companies

Anonymous association "Construction provision No 1 Durres", which has to do with the purchasing of the construction materials is managed to be sold by AKP with a total value of some 10.3 million leks.

While, the anonymous association "Construction provision No 2 Durres" like the first one deals with the purchasing of construction materials and it sold for 5 million leks.

The third company, which is sold today by AKP through an auction without initiative price for 7 million leks, is "Industrial Impex". /led/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] New anti-contraband groups are set up

This is stressed in a meeting held on Monday between the Albanian Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli with nine regional anti-contraband groups, which have just started their activity.

These groups consist of 52 people and within a year the number of the people involved in the new anti-contraband force is foreseen to reach to 100. The anti-contraband forces are trained by CAM-Albania specialists and will be more independent in their activities within the current structures.

The members of this groups stressed in the meeting that several cases they are threatened by the merchants not to respect the norms of the Custom Code.

The value of the fees and sequestration put by Anti-contraband Directorate during the first nine months of 1999 totaled 153,4 million leks.

Anti-Contraband Directorate blocked during this period some 585 vehicles of different commercial subjects. /led/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] Students intercultural relations discussed in seminar

IRSAEE Adviser Katerina Kapobianco, present in this seminar,talked about the relations of the students in Italian schools and universities, and in particular of Albanian students that pursue their studies in these universities.

"They are smart in scientific subjects if compared with the students of other countries, but due to the linguistic difficulties they are after the other in social subjects", said Kapobianco.

The particularity of the seminar was that the Albanian students present in the meeting exchange addresses with IRSAEE, by taking the first step in establishing twin-relations with the Italian schools. On the other side this seminar implemented a cooperation protocol between the Italian Pedagogical Studies of Pulia and Albanian counterpart. /led/linda/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] Second fair of Fiera del Levante in Albania closes

Around 50 000 has been the number of visitors to the second fair Fiera del Levante in Albania which stayed open for five days.

At the close of the fair on Monday by midday, its organisers said many contracts have been reached, which amount to several billion lire, mainly for the creation of joint ventures between Italian and Albanian companies as well as other Balkan countries.

"We consolidated the results attained during the first fair of 1998, but at the same time we have built many ambitious bridges towards a cooperation, which cannot be only Italian-Albanian, but should be extended throughout southeastern Europe," said the commissar extraordinary of Fiera, Francesco Divella.

Meanwhile, visiting the pavilions of the fair, Albanian President Rexhep Meidani pointed to the importance of integration into the cultural, economic and political aspects of Italian-Albanian cooperation.

Represented in the second fair of Fiera del Levante in Albania were Italian-Albanian Bank, People's Bank of Bari, AREF (Albanian Reconstruction Equity Fund), created to help develop business in private sector in Albania, Chambers of Commerce from several regions of Italy, maritime agencies and many powerful firms and companies from Italy and other countries of the region. /led/so/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] USAID, US$ 600 000 for Vegetable Institute

Sources from this institute told ATA on Monday that the main objectives of the project will be equipment of laboratories of this Institute with contemporary examination means as well as training of the personnel.

USAID has supported IPP since 1998 and during this period it has devoted attention to information on managing production in agricultural farms.

The institute is the only one to cultivate vegetables, mainly high quality potatoes for obtaining seeds, which it sells to farmers. /led/so/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] There is progress in fight against negative phenomena in Albania - Ahrens

"In Albania there are still problems of law, order, although progress has been made in this direction," ambassador Ahrens told a news conference.

He dwelt on the issue of corruption, considering it a current problem for Albania.

"Sometimes ago we had a meeting with Deputy Premier Ilir Meta in Tirane where a plan of action against this phenomenon in Albania was presented. We have set up a monitoring group which also includes representatives from NGO and Albanian opposition to deal with cases of anti-corruption and its domains," he said.

Ahrens said that another meeting of Friends of Albania will be held by the beginning of November to discuss these problems with the Albanian Government. /led/so/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] Italian group "Pooh" to inaugurate playground in Tirane

"The creation of this park has been initiated by the 'Pooh' itself, part of the project 'A happy country', sources from the Ministry of Culture reported on Monday.

The project, which is realised in cooperation with the association "Rock No War", aims at building playgrounds for children in various Balkan countries, which have been affected by the war.

Meanwhile a park of this kind is also reported to be inaugurated on Wednesday by "Pooh" in the city of Peja, Kosova. /led/so/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] Situation in Albania needs no fresh elections - Ahrens

"In all democratic countries elections are called at certain moments. The normal democratic procedure provides that time limits be respected," Ahrens told a news conference.

Referring to the political developments in Albania, Ahrens said that their developing forms should be correct.

Recently, the Albanian opposition, mainly the political grouping "Union for Democracy", with the Democratic Party being its largest political force, has called for early elections in the country. /led/so/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] Milo asks acceleration of procedures on Association agreement with EU

At this meeting, held between the EU troika, headed by current chairman of the EU Council of Ministers and Finnish Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen, and the Albanian delegation, Milo reconfirmed Albania's strategic objective for a swift integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.

Dwelling on the internal situation of Albania, Milo made known the measures adopted by the government on strengthening order, fighting corruption, reforming the judiciary and other measures.

Halonen assured the Albanians that the EU closely follows the developments in Albania and is determined to continue its support for it. She highly praised the maximum engagement of Albania in going ahead with the reforms.

The high representative of the European Commission, Barbaso, confirmed the approval by this commission of the feasibility study by mid November, which paves the way for direct preliminary talks on the Stabilisation and Association agreement. /led/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[22] Majko asks from Bulgarian counterpart close cooperation to realize initiated projects

Majko, after expressing the desire for cooperation between the Albanian government and all region countries that have to do with the 8th corridor, said that " each delay would reflect precious waste of time and a clearly defined cost".

Premier Kostov said that Bulgaria and Albania share common responsibilities for the region's development, and the end of the crisis in the region has created conditions for the intensification of the contacts between the two countries.

Kostov voiced Bulgarian interest in the 8th corridor and all Stability Pact projects where the two countries are included.

Referring to the future of Kosova, Majko said that the Albanian government considers it as a continued process and not connected with ready made formulas. /led/so/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[23] Division among countries of region might delay Balkans reconstruction - Majko

"Division among the countries of the region and delays they may demonstrate as regards principles of the Stability Pact are the sole moments that may justify the lack of aid in recovering and developing the region," said Majko.

"The small nations like Bulgaria and Albania have rarely been at the centre of praise. You merited the praise with what you did during the conflict in Kosova. Now it is the moment to look towards the future and identify practices, which will tell us how can we help one another," said Stojanov.

Further on, Stojanov underlined Bulgaria's readiness for realising joint projects and of mutual interest. /led/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[24] Albania, Bulgaria urge intensification of relations

"The Balkans should be turned from a region of continued conflicts into a region of standing peace", Sokolov said.

Majko said that the only problem between the two countries is the identification of the ways to consolidate relations, with parliaments of both countries having their power to influence in this direction.

Albanian delegation, composed of Premier Majko, ministers Ingrid Shuli and Musa Ulqini as well as Deputy Foreign Minister Pellumb Xhufi, arrived in Bulgaria on Monday for a one-day visit. /led/so/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[25] PM Majko on Tuesday to present resignation from office

The Prime Minister's press office is authorized to inform that this decision has been taken as a result of the political situation created at home, following the 3rd Congress of the Socialist Party, in which Premier Pandeli Majko was beaten in the contest for the leadership of the Socialist Party. /led/lm/

D'Arc Avenue 23, Tirana, Albania E-Mail:

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article