Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 99-12-25

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] Press Review

[02] 74th anniversary of creation of Navy celebrated

[03] New cooperation strategy between EU and Albania for 2000-2006

[04] Exchange rates in Tirana

[05] European Union - the biggest donor in Albania

[06] Net foreign debt of Albania amounts to $ 529,8 million

[07] EC covers most of Albania trade relations

[08] President Meidani wishes devout orthodoxies in Orthodox Autocephalous Church

[09] 37,5 million leks invested in education field in Berat

[10] His holiness Anastas and Monseigneur Rrok Mirdita wish together devout orthodoxies and catholics

[11] President Meidani congratulates Catholics on occasion of Christmas

[12] Studenti and Teuta team (women) in the lead of the first stage in volleyball

[13] Albanian Catholics celebrate birth of Christ

[01] Press Review

Koha Jone, independent daily,

"Albania is neither of Greeks nor of Italians". The strategic allies of Albanians are the U.S., England, Germany and Turkey. According to an article of this paper, the President of the Republic, Parliament and the Prime Minister should pave the way for the strategic investors and not to mafia around Albania. "The socialist leadership nears ousting of Lakrori". Following information from the Customs Department and the Premier's office on the customs' officials of former Minister Maqo Lakrori, the SP leader, Fatos Nano, is expected to call the party's chairmanship very soon. "Reformers become 1000 members". Some 1000 DP members will be the invitees of the reformers' night at the Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Gazeta Shqiptare, independent daily,

"Alimucaj suffering from heart disease". High blood pressure has prevented the boss of the loan-taking company "Vefa" to appear in the court hall. "Meta: Road to Kosova should be built". Premier Ilir Meta yesterday called the National Council dealing with roads and showed interest especially in the projects of the Durres-Kukes road projects. "Statute saves DP faction". DP moderates cannot be ousted from the party, as its status allows it.

Shekulli, independent daily,

"Killers flee Tirane". Criminal police of the capital throw light on the enigmas of the attack two days ago at the centre of Tirane, but they failed to arrest the perpetrators, now identified. "Meta: The situation of bridges to be urgently improved". The National Council on Roads met yesterday and Premier Meta asked more attention on the situation of bridges, especially of those on the Durres-Kukes segment.

Albania, national daily,

"This is why the massacre near the Presidency took place". "DP: Give us the State Control". "Police: Children are not to blame, the traders should be arrested".

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

"Three soldiers stole state weapons". "Special forces, "strong" enigma of the Albanian army". "Poci: We should do the maximum to preserve the police figure".

Rilindja Demokratike, daily of the Democratic Party of Albania,

"Havari: The Prosecutor's office is a killer". "The clients caught in panic, the bank is pyramidal".

Republika, daily of the Republican Party of Albania,

"Now many visas, less trafficking". "Brojka: DP democratisation, a marked event". /lm/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] 74th anniversary of creation of Navy celebrated

In his greeting, the commander of the coastal district of Durres, Vladimir Bajrami, dwelt on the 74-year-old road of the Navy, since December 25, 1925.

He said two ships, 1.900 tons each, were bought and established on the first improvised maritime base, that of Currila, 2 km, northwest of Durres. The ships, which were named "Scanderbeg" and "The Eagle" made up the first military sea force in Albania.

Bajrami spoke further of the efforts of the militaries of this force to strengthen the Navy on guard of our coasts and in fight against illegal trafficking. /lm/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] New cooperation strategy between EU and Albania for 2000-2006

The Albanian programme of Public Investments 2000-2003, which is in conclusion, as well as the Eur.- Atlantic Strategy approved recently, are the basic documents for the EU aid following 2000.

The EU, through the Phare programme has helped the private sector in Albania in two main directions, in crediting the private sector (SME) and in technical assistance for the creation of the institutions offering services for the business community.

Since the end of 1997, the Phare programme has not engaged in the SME private sector. However there has been cooperation with various EU countries in this direction.

Hence, Germany, in cooperation with the Albanian government, is backing the crediting of local business with 7,5 million marks as well as with technical assistance.

Italy, in the economic programme of aid for Albania, is devoting a great attention to the SME development in Albania. The initial project will be eight billion lire.

Meanwhile, Greece has provided a credit support of five billion drachmas. In cooperation with the Albanian government, the projects of the EU member countries, such as Italy, Greece and Germany as well as many international institutions, continue to support the financing, improvement of investments in the private sector and strengthening of the institutions' network in support of business. /led/lm/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] Exchange rates in Tirana

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] European Union - the biggest donor in Albania

The aid of EU is considered as the most complex one because it has covered almost all the strategical sectors such as the investment in infrastructure as well as the support for the wages balance sheet accorded for Albania in 1992, 1993 and 1995 with a sum of 105 million Euro.

The intervention of EU in Albania is focused towards the investments in a wide scale in the sector of water, infrastructure of transport, agriculture as well as encouraging of economic activity.

EU gave a powerful support to Albania even during the crisis in Kosove through according a budgetary aid of 62 million Euro. The biggest part of EU aid for Albania is delivered in the framework of Phare program mainly through the National Program. The total budget allocated for Albania so far by the Phare National Program is 252 million Euro.

The program of 1999, 42,5 million Euro, concludes the circle of 1996- 1999 Program, Phare aid as well as the priorities decided in this program.

During 1994-1999 period Phare has accorded as well an aid of 104 million Euro in the framework of Interborder Cooperation Program for the development of infrastructure projects in the respective border regions, Italy and Greece. /led/A.A/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] Net foreign debt of Albania amounts to $ 529,8 million

The majority part of the budget, about $ 324 million, is taken by Albania from the multilateral creditors where the biggest creditor is IDA (part of World Bank) with $ 288,5 million.

Afterwards come the European Bank of Investments with $ 13,6 million, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with $ 7,7 million and others. In the meantime the net foreign debt of Albania against the bilateral creditors is about $ 183,5 million.

The main bilateral creditors are Italy with 71,9 million USD, Germany with 48,9 million, Japony with 22,7 million while Albania owns $ 22,7 million to the countries of the Club of Paris.

The amount Albania owes to the bilateral and multilateral creditors have financed some important investment projects during the last years in different economic fields.

According to the statistics at the end of 1998 the net foreign debt of Albania was $ 457,9 million. In the meantime the remained part of the credits has reached in $ 350,5 million. /led/A.A/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] EC covers most of Albania trade relations

Since 1991 and up to now these relations have been increasing. In 1991 exports with these countries covered 39,4% of the total, while in 1998 they covered 92,5%.

The increasing tendency of these exchanges is also seen in the 9- month period of 1999, a period during which Albania has exported nearly US$ 191,5 million goods or 93 % of the export realized in total towards EU.

The same tendency can also be seen in imports. So, if in 1991 these countries have imported 44,2% of the whole volume, in 1998 this import marks 82,6 %, tendency which also continues in the 9-month period of 1999, where the value of imports reaches US$ 710 million, or 80% of the whole import.

The main place of the goods exported in EU countries in 1999, is covered by clothes and shoes, which occupy about 60% of the total export realized with EU countries, seeds and fruits cover nearly 6 %, tobacco about 4 % and others.

While the main place in goods imported by EU countries in 1999 is covered by food, drinks, tobacco, textiles, shoes, machineries, equipment, chemical and plastic products and others. /led/so/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] President Meidani wishes devout orthodoxies in Orthodox Autocephalous Church

The archbishop of Tirane, Durres and the whole Albania, his Holiness Anastas said on this occasion that "this was a troublesome year for Albanian people and we should thank our God that we successfully overcame everything".

"Your vision and that of your colleagues in overcoming these difficulties was quite clear", President Meidani told archbishop Anastas adding that every difficulty and surprise that the new millennium will bring about needs patience and hope to be overcome.

Meidani expressed his belief that Albanian people will enter the new millennium with another vision of peace, solidarity and tolerance. "Through this vision Albania will make progress" pointed out Meidani.

Premier Ilir Meta, other state senior officials and representatives of political parties wished a Merry Christmas to the devout orthodoxies. /led/so/A.A/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] 37,5 million leks invested in education field in Berat

The director told that some 70 million leks are added to this figure, which are allocated by foreign donors and NGO-s.

According to Kordha the investments performed this year in education field are 30% higher than the one marked previous year. Many new schools are build up, and many others are reconstructed.

The reconstruction of agricultural boarding school is going on through the finances of foreign donors, while 60 thousand dollars are accorded on reconstruction of the three secondary schools in Arrez, Vrakull and Vertop. The reconstruction process of these schools is foreseen to be completed within April 2000.

Many projects are planned for the coming year and at the same time it asked for funds on setting up three new schools and reconstruction of 12 ones, mainly in rural areas. /lh/linda/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] His holiness Anastas and Monseigneur Rrok Mirdita wish together devout orthodoxies and catholics

This is announced on Saturday by His Holiness Anastas during the ceremonies held at Orthodox Autocephalous Church in Tirana.

"This is the first time that we sent such a message to devout orthodoxies and catholics, meanwhile this is considered as the first initiatives in Balkan. I want to say that other initiatives aiming at understanding, peace and coexistence are in the right direction", stressed His Holiness Anastas.

Concerning the other initiatives he said that "soon the two senior representatives of orthodoxies and catholic priesthood will send a joint message on the behalf of Pope of Roma". /lh/linda/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] President Meidani congratulates Catholics on occasion of Christmas

"Let us hope that the new century will be prosperous for the entire world and especially for the Albanian nation," said Meidani during the visit, wishing national good fortune for the year to come.

The Arch Bishop of Tirane, Durres and all Albania, Monsignor Rrok Mirdita told President Meidani that "in these days of celebrations, this jubilee atmosphere has its meaning of conciliation, return of spiritual values in each one of us." /lh/xh/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] Studenti and Teuta team (women) in the lead of the first stage in volleyball

During these matches, the teams Studenti and Teuta which played in their volleyball fields, were the winners.

Follow the results of Saturday matches:

Teuta - Partizani 3-0

Dinamo - Tirana 3-0

Studenti - Lushnja 3-1

After the completion of the first stage of the championship, in the lead of classification are Studenti and Teuta with 18 points after 10 matches played, followed by Dinamo, Lushnja, Tirana and Partizani. /lh/xh/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] Albanian Catholics celebrate birth of Christ

The philosophy of apology and respect, embodied with Jezus Christ of Nazareth, brought Albanians closer than ever to celebrate together this marked day.

Believers have taken part in the traditional masses on Christmas held in the Catholic Church "The Christ Heart," in the Autochephalous Orthodox Church in Tirane, as well as in Gjirokaster, Permet, Shkoder and Korce.

The message of Christ on the 2000th anniversary, was said today in the Mass held in the Autochephalous Church in Tirane, comes today as a message of courage, message of hope, revival, to find the road of life. The celebration of Christmas, according to the words and lessons of the Christ, must be warmly welcomed in the heart of every man, so that peace and love prevail always on this land.

Catholic, Orthodox believers and all Albanians, have for the first time, received a joint message of greetings from the Arch Bishop of Tirana, Durres and all Albania, His Holiness Anastas and the Arch Bishop Monsignor Rrok Mirdita.

"This is an important initiative, which it is the first in the Balkans. Other initiatives aiming at good understanding, peace and cohabitation are on the right track," said His Holiness Anastas.

Also the highest-ranking officials of the Albanian state have conveyed their wishes on Christmas such as President Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Ilir Meta, the Parliament Speaker Skender Gjinushi and representatives of all Albanian political spectrum.

During his visit to the Arch Bishopric of the Albanian Orthodox Autochephalous Church, President Meidani said that "I am convinced and believe that the Albanian people will enter the new millennium with another vision of peace, solidarity and tolerance.

"With this vision, we will carry Albania ahead," stressed President Meidani. /lh/xh/

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