Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-11-26

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Albanian Foreign Minister meets with King of Spain Juan Carlos

[02] Spanish Foreign Minister highlights normality in Albania

[03] Centre for rehabilitation of mentally sick children in Durres

[04] Press Review

[05] Stand against Milosevic unites Albania's parliamentarians

[06] Albania's November 28, 29 days marked in Bucharest

[07] Conference "Foreign Investments in Albania - a new beginning" held in Tirana

[08] Greek business interested in Albania

[09] Personalities of Sofia Conference praise proposals of Albanian delegation

[10] Meta, Peretti discuss Albania - EU relationship

[11] Meidani asks foreign bodies to offer help for Constitutional Court

[12] Stability Pact provides chances for increased foreing investments

[13] Officials of Anticontraband Department involved in contraband- Angjeli

[01] Albanian Foreign Minister meets with King of Spain Juan Carlos

Minister Milo briefed the King with the latest developments of the situation in Albania and in Kosova and of the efforts the Albanian Government is making for the stability and economic development of the country.

Juan Carlos highlighted the recent achievements of the Albanian Government and expressed his thanks for the Albanian people and Albania, for the contribution they made to overcome the crisis in Kosova. He pledged that all efforts would be made to assist Albania in this period to help it join the European family as soon as possible.

At the end, King of Spain Juan Carlos, conveyed to Albanian President Rexhep Meidani and the Prime Minister, Ilir Meta his best wishes and greetings. /dast/xh/

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[02] Spanish Foreign Minister highlights normality in Albania

"Albania should now fight crime and corruption to protect investments. These are your challenges. If you will will reach these, your future will be excellent," said Mr Matutes.

Further on the two ministers expressed the willingness to sign the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Albania and Spain, during a high-ranking visit soon.

Focusing on the economic cooperation, the two ministers, agreed that the judicial basis of cooperation must be strengthened. Minister Milo handed over on this occasion to his Spanish counterpart four new draft agreements. Of interest was also considered the intensification of the cooperation in the military field, of public order, justice, education and culture. /era/xh/

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[03] Centre for rehabilitation of mentally sick children in Durres

Bajana Çeveli, president of the councils of some NGOs in Durres, told ATA that the "Belgian section of the French association Handicap International has financed the construction of the centre. There are 35 handicapped children now in it, and they will be helped integrate in the daily life as soon as possible.

In the mean time, the number of these children will increase to 90.

The association also plans to open two other rehabilitation centres for nearly 1 500 children from Durres, expected to be treated there. At first, children from 3-6 years will be sent to these centres with older aged groups to be formed later. /led/xh/

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[04] Press Review

"KOHA JONE", independent daily

- "Fasino: We will invest for government Meta". Interview with Italian minister of Foreign Trade, Piero Fasino. - "Police, do not even think about strikes". The law "on State Police" was adopted at the yesterday's plenary session, which deprives police of the right to strike. - "Nano and Demi against Russians: We are not Prishtina's tutors". SP leader Nano and the DP reformer deputy Leonard Demi, participants of the Stability Pact table in the Balkans, yesterday contradicted the deputy chairman of Russian Duma, who accused Tirana of spurring Kosovars violence against Serbs.

"GAZETA SHQIPTARE", independent daily.

- "Stolen cars return to Italy". 258 cars found at Durres sales market yesterday were blocked by the police. Their papers were thoroughly controlled disclosing they were stolen vehicles. - "Government saves the budget". After information of expired funds, government "Meta" has immediately examined the problem of expired funds and accumulated from the ministries the unexpended money. - "Bonuses at their last gasp of breath". Privatization bonuses not only have lost their value, but by the end of the year are expected to go out of circulation.

"SHEKULLI", independent daily

- "Penal prosecution for tenders". State High Control discloses violations of procurement law by Directorate of Roads and Chanalizations. - "Berisha: ready to meet Meta". DP leader emitted positive signals for cooperation, but he still is sceptical. - "Law on Police, DP does no agree". DP yesterday voted in Parliament against the law "On State Police", even though an half agreement was reached on several amendments between DP and SP.

"ALBANIA", national daily

- "Italy, Albanian's distant neighbor". - "DP rejects law "On State Police".

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

- "Police, attack on "Stolen lots of "Mercedes 5000" - "Nano" Joint commissions on Stability Pact". - " Meta: On Constitution Day, I will be with the children of assassinated policemen".

"RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE", daily of Democratic Party of Albania

- "berisha: Institutional fight to corruption". - "Half a million pensioners, under the minimum living standard".

"REPUBLIKA", daily of the republican party of Albania

- "Chief prosecutor's reform rejected". - "A three-year sentence for Leka Zogu". /gs/

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[05] Stand against Milosevic unites Albania's parliamentarians

During the international conference on the role of parliamentarians in the implementation of the Stability Pact, the deputy speaker of the Russian Duma, Shabanov, demanded from Albanians and the international community to respect the Serb President and Parliament, as institutions elected through free polls.

According to him, Serbia must be freed from the embargo and accepted in the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

The deputy of the Democratic Party (the biggest opposition party) Leonard Demi took the floor in the name of the Albanian parliamentary delegation and said that "from the statement of Shabanov, it is clearly understood that he places Moscow in the role of the tutor of Belgrade, alluding that the same thing appears between Tirana and Prishtina."

Demi declared in the name of Albanian deputies that Tirana has not and will never be a tutor of Prishtina, the less so to encourage the Albanians to exert violence on the Serb minority in Kosova.

Both the Albanians of Tirana and those of Prishtina are clearly demonstrating, even in this conference, that they do not see their future in violence but in the complete and rapid integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures. The Albanians in the Balkans have clearly demonstrated that there is no hostility with the Slavs who are not advocates of Milosevic and this is being clearly seen in the good relations with the Slav people in Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria, etc.," said Demi in conclusion. /led/xh/

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Exchange rates

TIRANE, NOV 26 (ATA) By A.Gjata: - U.S. dollar in the last week won ten points against Albanian Lek at Tirane free market, which partly is due to international stock exchange rates.

Currency exchange

Currency bought sold

USD 135,7 136

DM 70 71,5

LIT (1000) 71 72

GRD (100) 41,2 42,2 /led/gs/

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[06] Albania's November 28, 29 days marked in Bucharest

The chairman of the Association, George Miku spoke of the importance of these two days of the Albanian people.

An important place in the activity took the presentation of the book "Eyes of statute" by the renowned Romanian writer or Albanian origin, Viktor Eftimiu. The book with 101 sonnets is translated by the academician Kopi Kycyku and published by the Publishing House Dukagjini of Peja. The book also carries a comment by the academician Rexhep Ismajli.

Later, prof. Marius Dobresku presented works by Ismail Kadare, such as "File H" and "Monster" published in Romanian by the publishing house Editur Univers.

Present in this activity were also the Albanian Ambassador in Bucharest, Marko Bello, outstanding personalities of Romanian science and culture, writers, reporters, artists and diplomats and representatives of the affiliates of Albania-Romania association. /led/xh/

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[07] Conference "Foreign Investments in Albania - a new beginning" held in Tirana

The conference was organised by AEDA (Albanian Economic development Agency) and UNDP.

"Albania is restoring its normality" said in his address the State Minister, Prec Zogaj. He called on all representatives of foreign business in Albania, participating in the conference, to present to the Albanian Government all alternative opinions and remarks on how can the foreign private business develop in Albania.

Deputy minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade, Engjell Skreli, made a panorama of the Albanian legislation and the possibilities this legislation offers to attract foreign investments. He stressed that the legislation in the field of economy is becoming more similar to that of EU and on January 1, 2000, the maximal customs tariffs for commodities are expected to be 18 per cent from 20 per cent until now.

Other speakers in the conference stressed the proper moment for the economic development of Albania and the attraction of foreign investments, now after the conflict in Kosova has ended. /xh/

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[08] Greek business interested in Albania

In the meeting representatives of 18 Greek companies were present who promised initiatives and investments in Albania, and Meta in the meantime vowed appropriate conditions for their business activity.

"Adoption of the study on feasibility by the European Commission shows the increasing of security and other standards in Albania. Albanian- Greek relations are excellent. Now we have to provide the best environment possible to encourage concrete cooperation projects", said Meta. He was quoted as saying that he agreed on an agreement with all countries interested in investing in Albania.

Seven is the number of Greek companies currently operating in Albania in the field of energetics, at a time when at today's meeting the Greek company D.E.I. pledged to establish an electric power station in Korce.

The meeting of the Greek Ambassador with Albanian Premier several days ago, today's meeting of the Greek businessmen group and their participation at the fair taking place in Tirane, precedes Albanian Premier's visit in Greece on December 22, who is officially invited by his Greek counterpart, Kostas Simitis. /led/gs/

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[09] Personalities of Sofia Conference praise proposals of Albanian delegation

"The proposal coming from Albania, says Dyrrie, shows that the investment of the modern civilization in the Balkans is giving its results", sources from SP reported.

"The inclusion of these proposals into the main documentation of the conference is an encouragement for the Parliamentary Assembly of CE and for the parliaments of the countries included into the Pact as well, in order to construct and put these scheme in function as soon as possible", said Dyrrie.

The British Lord Xhad said that this reminded him of the fantastic spirit of the good understanding and integration that characterized EU in years '60-'90.

The Conference on the parliamentary contribution in the implementation of the Stability Pact in the Southeastern Europe is holding its proceedings in Sofia. A parliamentary Albanian delegation, chaired by Fatos Nano, is taking part in the conference. Through his speech in the first day of the proceedings on Friday, Nano informed on the latest initiative of Albanians and proposed his ideas for the way and instruments of the Stability Pact implementation. /dast/so/A.A/

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[10] Meta, Peretti discuss Albania - EU relationship

The report should be considered a first step toeards establishing a much closer relationship between Albania and the EU. It clearly and totally takes into consideration the great efforts of the Albanian government and people in the last years and clearly unveils the steps Albania should now follow, in order that it has much closer relationship with the EU." the representative of European Commission to Albania said.

They stressed that the Albanian government and the EU will immediately start a dialogue based on the conclusions of the report. /dast/lm/

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[11] Meidani asks foreign bodies to offer help for Constitutional Court

At his request President Meidani held a meeting with OSCE ambassador to Albania Gert Ahrens, with the chief of the Delegation of European Commission Michael Peretti and with the special envoy of EC Secretary General Reihan Akant. Taking part in the meeting was even Fehmi Abdiu, Chairman of the Constitutional Court.

President Meidani asked these European institutions to increase the consideration level on this Court for securing a support program for it in the logistic and training plan, for offering juridical literature, and insuring contacts with the counterpart institutions.

The interlocutors hailed the goal of the meeting and expressed their opinions regarding the support they can offer for this court in the framework of the aid on strengthening of Albanian democratic institutions and their preparation for the European integration process. /dast/A.A/

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[12] Stability Pact provides chances for increased foreing investments

Different referees in the conference, conducted in Tirana by the German foundation Friedrich Ebert, stressed the fact that despite the Kosova crisis which greatly influenced Albania it was managed to keep a macro economic stability in economy, as well as a curbed inflation.

According to them it is time to increase foreing investments in the country and to increase rhythms of privatization of strategic enterprises that will mark the conclusion of privatization process in Albania. /led/so/

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[13] Officials of Anticontraband Department involved in contraband- Angjeli

"There is information that involved in cases of contraband in Albania are officials of Anti-Contraband Department," said Angjeli, in the analysis of the operative-investigaton section of the Customs General Department.

The Finance Minister mentioned several figures, showing that during this year some 197 cases of customs violation which amount to 112 million leks as well as 165 cases of comodity sequestration have been observed.

He asked from the customs leading officials to define clear control plans on anti-contraband structures, to enhance their role and reach concrete results.

At this meeting, concrete measures were requested to verify the invoices, in cooperation with the CAM-Albania Mission, so that the amounts of money, according to the acts in force, be restituted after six months. /dast/lm/

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