Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-06

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

CONTENTS

[01] Italian consulate in Vlora to open in December 23

[02] Exchange rates in Tirana

[03] Italy to prepare a cooperation program with Albania

[04] Discussing of project law "On functioning of Constitutional Court"

[05] Commando troops take under control Vlora Port

[06] Bank Governor Cani to report in Parliament

[07] Italy, Albania have midterm and long-term cooperation projects

[08] Italy to present total value of Stability Pact projects for Albania

[09] 44% of export-import volume performed with Italy

[10] First snow fall in Kosove

[11] OSCE issues reports "Kosova as seen and narrated"

[12] Deficit deepens in Albanian customs

[13] Italian government accords $ 10 million on health sector

[14] "A new face" should head Tirane municipality - Brojka

[15] Turkish army accords aid for "Commando" brigade

[16] German Bank provides DM 45 million for electric power in Albania

[17] Assembly to discuss draft-budget for 2000

[18] Albania supports aims for Romania's integration into EU, NATO

[01] Italian consulate in Vlora to open in December 23

Italian Consulate will open in Vlora in December 23.

The Italian ambassador in Tirana, Mario Bova, confirmed it on Sunday during a two-day visit he paid to Vlora accompanied by the Parliament's Speaker and Deputy of Vlora Skender Gjinushi and the foreign minister Paskal Milo.

During his stay in Vlora ambassador Bova and the district state senior officials discussed about the relations of different Italian regions with Vlora, the perspective of these relations, the encouragement of the Italian investments in Vlora and others.

The opening of the Italian consulate in Vlora will offer greater possibilities for cooperation between the coastal Southern city and the Italian Southern regions and will facilitate procedures of giving visas to citizens from Vlora, especially to businessmen. This also due to the fact that 70% of the imports in Vlora are carried out with Italy.

This is the first consulate of a foreing country to open in Vlora. The Prefect of Vlora Tare Hamo, some months ago issued a request to the Greek Embassy in Tirana to open a Greek consulate in this district (Vlora). /led/so/

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[02] Exchange rates in Tirana

Foreing currency exhange rates Currency Buying Selling

US$ 137 137,5

DM 70,8 71

ITL (1000) 71 71,5

GRD (100) 41,8 42 /led/so/

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[03] Italy to prepare a cooperation program with Albania

This program will be focused on strategic fields of the development of the Albanian economy as well as on tighter economic relations between Albania and Italy. "Our relations with Albania should be considered not only as relations with your country but with the entire region", stressed Serri.

Participants in the meeting considered bilateral relations as very good ones and of a strategic nature.

Milo stressed that "Angioni" package, worth 70 billiard lire, has been lately discussed by the government. The Albanian party has defined the domains where the envisaged investments of this package will be applied. /led/so/

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[04] Discussing of project law "On functioning of Constitutional Court"

The Head of Constitutional Court Fehmi Abdiu, EC, OSCE representatives, the envoy of European Center on Human Rights Njazi Braho and specialists of law field.

The Chairman Abdiu by making evident the importance of the above mentioned project law said that"Constitutional Court has the tendency to cover the legal vacuum that exists in Albania since 1992".

There is a special chapter in the Constitution concerning the functioning of Constitutional Court, its members, the way of their selection and who has the right to put in motion the court.

The project law "On functioning of Constitutional Court" is drafted the specialists of this court in collaboration with the experts of Venice Commission and it is discussed in the parliamentary law commission. /led/linda/

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[05] Commando troops take under control Vlora Port

The settlement of commando troops in Vlora Port is implemented in conformity with the decision of the Government of same days ago. It aims at severe control of harbor area, discipline of the clearance procedures and blocking of possible contraband in this port.

General Custom Director Petri Ago and the representative of Division XX in Albania Natalia Cea came in this custom in the head of an experts team.

The location of commando troops in Vlora Port follows their dislocation few months ago in Durresi Port. /led/linda/

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[06] Bank Governor Cani to report in Parliament

During the meeting of Supervising Council of Central Albanian Bank the following projects will be discussed, "On transparency increasing in the activity of Bank of Albania", "On the approval of the budget of Bank of Albania for year 2000" and "On relations of Bank of Albania with the banks of second level".

Several projects on internal functioning of Bank of Albania will be discussed in the next meeting.

The last meeting of the Supervising Council of Bank of Albania is held on December 1, 1999 and "The monetary program of Bank of Albania for year 2000" is passed. /led/linda/

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[07] Italy, Albania have midterm and long-term cooperation projects

Albania, pointed out Meta, is very resolute in its combat against organized crime, because the destruction of crime means more security, and more investments. The opening of the Italian consulate in the city of Vlore is another step towards the institutionalization of relations between the two countries which will facilitate the legal pass of citizens in the neighbouring country and will cut the road of illegal traffic.

The Italian Foreign Under Secretary, Serri, highlighted the special importance Albania should play for the future of the whole region. "Albania has to play a decisive role in the relations to be established between Europe and Balkans. It can play a very important role to help this region overcome the ethnic hatred and nationalistic conflicts and enter a new European history". /lh/A.A/

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[08] Italy to present total value of Stability Pact projects for Albania

The talks were concentrated on economic relations between the two countries and making them as effective as possible.

Talking about Stability Pact Mr.Serri stated that "we will send a project law to Italian Parliament on approving of a fund for Balkan region in frame work of Stability Pact and in this context we will consider Albania as Italy priority".

Mr.Serri stated that Italian State Secretary for foreign Affairs Mr.Ranieri will visit Albania on December 9,1999, and he will present the value that Italian Government will accord for Albania in frame work of Stability Pact. /lh/linda/

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[09] 44% of export-import volume performed with Italy

The total value of the goods exported to Italy during October marks some 1,788 billion leks, while the value of imported goods is some 4,665 billion leks. Export volume increased by 21% and import one by 18%.

The commercial exchanges with Greek during October 99 cover nearly 26% of the total Albanian export-import volume. Albanian exports toward Greece marked 0,622 billion leks and the import value reached to 3,043 billion leks.

The third commercial partner of Albania is Germany. Albania performed 6% of export-import volume with it. The total value of the goods exported to Germany marks 0,16 billion leks and the value of imported goods is nearly 0,617 billion leks.

Referring to the data taken from the customs, the main partners, after Germany, are Turkey and Macedonia by 4% of export-import volume each.

The imports' value marked in October is 10,997 billion leks and the exports one some 2,824 billion leks. /lh/linda/

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[10] First snow fall in Kosove

PRISHTINE, Dec. 6 (ATA) - By B.Jashari: The majority part of 12 000 destroyed houses of Kosove welcomed the first snow fall without roofs, while the reconstructions are to be carried on during the next year, ATA office in Kosove reported.

UN Organization administrator in Kosove Bernard Kouchner will stay on Monday in Gllogoc, city in Drenice, where are reconstructed 420 houses through an aid delivered by the government of Japan and France, to get a firsthand look to the situation. Drenica is one of the regions damaged most from the offensives of Serb forces in Kosove.

Some 120 000 houses, that is more than 1/3 of Kosova houses, are destroyed in villages and cities of Kosove. This is one of the war results in Kosove according to a report of the office of humanitarian issues, which was read in Prishtine by the spokesman of the special envoy of UNO Secretary General. Thousands of Kosove families welcomed the snow under tends. /led/A.A/

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[11] OSCE issues reports "Kosova as seen and narrated"

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday published two reports entitled:"Kosova as seen and narrated", which treat human rights in Kosova, OSCE office in Tirane reports.

The first report analyses the situation of human rights in the first half of 1999, facts gathered by the OSCE Verification Mission in Kosova.

This catalogue of violence has been described and illustrated by hundreds of individuals and communities, especially during the NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia.

The second report documents the period between June 14 and October 31, when more than 800 000 refugees returned to the war-stricken Kosova, under the protection of KFOR and U.N administration.

The report analyses human rights and events in five regions of Kosova. It also stresses that the wish for vengeance has been the main motive for the heaviest violations of human rights.

The second report brings to the fore the need of increasing the number of international policemen and experts to help halt violence in Kosova. It also shows that impossibility to establish law and administer justice has contributed to a climate of non-punishment, which leads to the violation of human rights. /lh/lm/

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[12] Deficit deepens in Albanian customs

The total value cashed in budget from the customs during 11-months period is 32,471 billion leks from 38,773 billion leks planned or nearly 84% of it.

Referring to the above mentioned figures the deficit of custom revenues increased if compared with the value marked in 10-months period.

The non-fulfilment of the plan of custom administration for the first ten months of the year 1999 was the main the reason that made Albanian Minister of Finances Anastas Angjeli to replace the General Custom Director Ardian Maci with the former head of tax-tariffs office of Tirana Petrit Ago.

Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta stressed on last Friday in the meeting held with the customs head that Albanian Government should change created till now that in custom you become rich soon.

"There are no justifications for non-functioning of this administration and plan default, as well", stated he. /led/linda/

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[13] Italian government accords $ 10 million on health sector

According to the same sources an Italian delegation chaired by Prof. Vitorio Siliano arrived on Monday to discuss this aid package.

The aid of Albanian government will last for three years, and consists in development of Albania's health sector, the inclusion of European Community norms in the field of health legislation and strengthening of the Doctors' Order.

This aid package was confirmed on June 1999 during a meeting held in Rome between an Albanian delegation chaired by Fatmir Brahimi, Alternate Minister of Health and representative of Italian Health Ministry. /lh/A.A/

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[14] "A new face" should head Tirane municipality - Brojka

Brojka, at a joint news conference with the mayors of Durres and Elbasan, reconfirmed his decision that during the next term he will not run for Tirane Mayor, as DP representative or as independent candidate.

"I feel much tired" of this office as Tirane Mayor," said Brojka stressing that the Albanian metropolis "should be run by a man of more energy and new ideas".

Brojka said what prompted him to this decision have been daily conflicts on housing, cleansing and construction and not the latest conflicts in the fold of the Democratic Party, whose member he is.

However, Brojka does not hesitate to evaluate the good performance both in the Tirane municipality and in the main municipalities of the country, considering as "heroes" the mayors maintaining normality in their cities, despite the successive crisis the country has undergone. /lm/

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[15] Turkish army accords aid for "Commando" brigade

This aid given in the framework of a continuous aid of Turkish Army for the Albania Armed Forces is worth $ 450 000 and consists of 11 vehicles and a quantity of materials for the logistic sector.

During the ceremony held today the Turkish General Denli said that "the cooperation with Albania government will be increased".

The Turkish delegation was received by the Chief of the Army Staff Brigade General Aleks Andoni and the Defence Deputy Minister Ilir Boçka.

For more than three years the training of "Commando" brigade troops is made by experts of the Turkish Army. /lh/A.A/

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[16] German Bank provides DM 45 million for electric power in Albania

The said agreement, expected to be signed on Tuesday, includes the reconstruction of the substation and network that supplies the city with electricity.

The member of the KfW Management Board, Dr. Manfred Schuler, during talks with Albanian Finance Minister Anastas Angjeli on Monday, stressed the "development of the electric power network is a preliminary condition for the economic development of a country". /lh/so/lm/

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[17] Assembly to discuss draft-budget for 2000

This was decided at a meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau on Monday.

After submission to the Assembly presidency, the draft-law on the state budget for 2000 had been discussed for 10 successive days in various parliamentary commissions.

The parliamentary groups will then discuss the draft-budget for the next year until Wednesday. Thursday will mark the beginning of discussions in plenary sessions and later the approval of this draft-law. /lh/lm/

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[18] Albania supports aims for Romania's integration into EU, NATO

"Our peoples and governments reciprocally and totally support the efforts for a further economic, social and cultural development, for a merited integration of their countries into the European organisations and Eur.- Atlantic structures," said Meidani in his speech at a dinner extended by Romanian President Emil Kostandinescu on Monday.

Meidani began a three-day formal visit to Romania today.

Albania and Romania have and are providing a significant contribution to stability and peace in the Balkans, said Meidani.

He expressed his belief that coordination of the two countries' efforts with those of the international community and organisations, to successfully cope with the challenges of this century's end, opens a wonderful perspective in the upcoming new century.

"The Stability Pact turns over a new leaf in the inter-regional relations. It is up to us, the counties of the region to cooperate with high responsibility on bilateral and multilateral plane to implement the projects of mutual interest within the pact's framework."

In conclusion Meidani expressed the desire and unshakeable conviction of the Albanian people and state and his personal conviction that the Albanian-Romanian relations will keep increasing and developing. /lh/lm/

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