Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), 97-11-04

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] ALBANIA'S PREMIER MEETS WITH FYROM PRESIDENT

[02] ALBANIA'S PM MEETS BULGARIAN PREMIER

[03] BALKAN LEADERS DISCUSS SECURITY POLICY IN CRETE SUMMIT

[04] ALBANIA'S PM MEETS TURKISH PREMIER

[05] RED CROSS ENDS PROGRAM OF EMERGENCY AID FOR ALBANIA

[06] PRESS REVIEW

[07] GREEK POLICE TO FINANCE CONSTRUCTION OF SARANDA COMMISSARIAT

[08] NATO - PARTNER OF PROJECT "SCIENCE FOR PEACE"

[09] CRETE SUMMIT ENDS WITH THE SIGNING OF A JOINT DECLARATION

[10] INSECURITY CAUSES TENSION IN ALBANIAN FAMILY-survey

[11] GOVERNMENT COALITION STOOD THE TEST TO GOVERN FOR FOUR YEARS - Ceka

[12] DAP SUPPORTS NANO-MILOSEVIC MEETING

[13] BULLETIN ON JUNE 29 ELECTIONS' TRANSPARENCY ISSUED

[14] TIRANE MAYOR LEAVES FOR SPAIN

[15] CRETE SUMMIT HELD TO PROMOTE MILOSEVIC - DP chairman

[16] SOCIALISTS ADOPT REGULATION FOR THEIR PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

[17] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS HIS ROMANIAN COUNTERPART IN CRETE

[18] LESS PUPILS, MORE ATTENTION TO THE NATIONAL MINORITY SCHOOLS

[19] CRETE, INITIATIVE CONTRIBUTING TO BALKANS' INTEGRATION INTO EUROPE - Godo

[20] VEFA PRESIDENT DOES NOT ATTEND MEETING ON AUDITORS' PRESENCE

[21] ALBANIA'S PRIME MINISTER CALLS CRETE SUMMIT SUCCESSFUL

[01] ALBANIA'S PREMIER MEETS WITH FYROM PRESIDENT

The meeting expressed the satisfaction for an Albanian-Macedonian dialogue and stressed the wish to reach a mutual agreement.

Both sides praised the Crete summit and said that this (summit) leads the Balkan countries to Europe.

Nano and Gligorov spoke of education in Macedonia and the promotion of political high-ranking contacts between Tirana and Skopje and a possible visit of prime minister Nano in FYROM. pas/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[02] ALBANIA'S PM MEETS BULGARIAN PREMIER

The meeting focused mainly on the possibilities of boosting the bilateral relations.

"It is the duty of our governments to facilitate the movement of people, benefits and ideas," said Premier Nano, who stressed the necessity of lifting the double taxation.

The Bulgarian Premier appreciated the relations between both countries and said that they are actually favoured by the same political orientation and the democratic values. Premier Costov talked about the importance that the construction of the eight road corridor has. The highway will pass through middle Albania, Macedonia and finish in the coasts of Bosphorus and which will influence in the social and economic development of these areas. Kostov focused on bilateral relations and stressed the necessity of having more frequent contacts between the two foreign ministries, verification of programs of economic cooperation, vivification of the activity of the friendship associations.

Both premiers also discussed problems of the region and stressed the importance for the intensification of contacts at high ranking levels, by institutionalizing them and extending in all fields.

Attending the meeting were Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Nadjezhda Mihajllova./pas/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[03] BALKAN LEADERS DISCUSS SECURITY POLICY IN CRETE SUMMIT

A government spokesman said that the Greek Prime minister Costas Simitis stressed three aspects, which Greece believes that will increasingly affect the strengthening of security in the Balkans.

First, he stressed the need to approve and carry out correctly the laws, which are in conformity with the international norms and aim at establishing the rule of law setting aside old mentalities. Another aspect, Simitis said, is the fight against organised crimes, weapons and drugs traffic.

He also stressed the need to intensify the contacts between non- governmental organisations (NGOs) as those of the students, cultural, professional ones and local government bodies.

Albania's prime minister Fatos Nano also addressed the session. Speaking on behalf of the Albanian government, he expressed the view that the stability and security in the Balkan peninsula can be reached through a system of complex economic, political, military, human rights institutions to achieve the undisputable right of environmental protection.

Active cooperation of all sides is a premise to this end. To activate this system, the Albanian PM proposed the setting up of an ad hoc forum of foreign ministers, which will tackle real problems and initiate confidence building measures.

Speaking of security and stability in the region, Nano praised the efforts and concrete measures undertaken by some Balkan countries to be integrated in the Euro Atlantic structures through individual program of Partnership for Peace.

Premier Nano said that the major objectives of the Albanian government to safeguard stability and security in the Balkans are independence and sovereignty, functioning of democratic institutions, respect of fundamental human rights.

The Albanian government favours the prevention of armed conflicts and stresses that differences should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, Nano added.

The Albanian premier focused on the security policy, institutional crisis and damages in Albania. He spoke of the efforts of the political forces and institutions to restore normality, making police forces efficient, fight against crime, weapons and drugs traffic and others. ake/kei/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[04] ALBANIA'S PM MEETS TURKISH PREMIER

Both premiers talked about the Balkan processes and agreed that the Crete summit is a step forward towards the efforts for cooperation. They underlined the will for common regional initiatives./pas/mt/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[05] RED CROSS ENDS PROGRAM OF EMERGENCY AID FOR ALBANIA

This program started at the beginning of March '97 in cooperation with the Albanian Red Cross.

Some 63 medical institutions and those of social assistance received a total of 50 tons of medical supplies and 187 tons of foodstuffs, which were distributed to 10 percent of the population in the first phase. The food packages and sanitary articles were distributed to some 210 000 Albanian families.

The ICRC granted to Albanian authorities in charge of water distribution 74 tone of chlorine and 15 sets to test the presence of chlorine in water. It has also given 185 tons of foodstuffs to the Albania Red Cross as a winter reserve to use it in specific time.

A four-person team will continue the aid program for the ICRC in Albania. Their activity will be focused in educational programs on the recognition of international humanitarian law, television program on youth.

Based on an agreement for humanitarian activities related to prisoners and in cooperation with the Interior and Justice Ministry and General Prosecutor's Office, the ICRC will start a series of visits to prisons in Albania. ssh/pas/ak/sh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[06] PRESS REVIEW

The paper covers the speech of Albanian Premier in the summit, under the title "Regional cooperation, priority of our policy."

The protagonists of the armed attack on the military Hospital under investigation," the paper reports in the fourth page under the title "Interpol in search of former commander of the Guard of the Republic, Xhaferri." Expected changes of the legal framework in favour of the autonomy of local government, the paper reports under the title "Majko- Brojka: Accord for local government."

On the fifth page the paper carries an interview with the SP head for Tirana, Musa Ulqini, under the title "We will ask for deepening of reforms." "As regards the organization and management of the bank, the existing chapter has been reviewed according to the IMF suggestions," reports the paper on the economic page, under the title "Albania's Bank: Independence and transparency."

"Milosevic, after two weeks of insistence from the Albanian government, accepted to meet Premier Nano, in the Crete summit," says the editorial of Rilindja Demokratike, under the title "Crete: Milosevic makes fun of Nano."

"Without consulting and without taking permission to discuss the Kosova question in the Albania-Serbia round table, the 'sovereign' Nano manages to destroy that fragile strategy established by the legitimate representatives of the Kosova people for the realization of their independence," reports Rilindja Demokratike under the title "Milosevic undresses Nano 'nude'."

"Prime Minister of Kosova Bujar Bukoshi devaluates the results of the meetings of Albania's PM," reports the paper.

Under the headline "The majority of Albanians wait restitution of their money," the paper carries the article "Nano has the money of usuries." "61% of citizens asked trust on the promise of June 9 in the Flag Square. Albanians are waiting for the Premier to keep the promise," underlines the paper.

"The political cleansing of the local administration continues to cause negative reactions," reports the paper under the title "Brojka denounces the decision of Nano." "Majko guarantees on behalf of his group cooperation with local government," underlines the paper. "European Democratic Union expresses concern for the situation in Albania," reports the paper under the title "The authorities to respect the democratic principles."

"The meeting Nano-Milosevic farce of courtesy," is the editorial of Republika. "The mandate to represent Kosova removed to Nano," underlines the paper in the editorial. "The situation of war returns in Tepelene, the detentions by the special police forces irritate the town," reports the paper under the title "The police commissariat surrendered, 48 hours of shots and explosion." On the economic page, the paper writes "Vefa question in the corridors of state." "The town-hall, the butcher of verdure," reports the paper on the tenth page.

"Balkan leaders attempted on Monday during the summit of Crete to cure with money the open wounds, but without showing the pockets and possibilities they have to sponsor their ideas," reports Koha Jone in the editorial entitled "The Balkans outside Europe." "Last night in Crete, after 50 years, Albania and Serbia shake hands," reports the paper under the title "Nano-Sllobo, 90 minutes mystery." "Nano-Milosevic, the ice does not melt," reports the paper, quoting Serbian president to have said "We talked about the Albanian minority in Yugoslavia and the Serbian minorities in Albania." "Three proposals of Fatos Nano," also reports the paper on the third page. "A part of the opposition agrees to take up seats in Parliament, " writes the paper on the fourth page under the title "DP presidency against Berisha." "The socialists are trying to avoid great clashes in the national Conference of December, where it is expected 'reorganization' of the party structures," reports the paper under the title "No opposing to the party line." "The law will speak with Vefa tomorrow," reports the paper on the economic page.

"Nano-Milosevic: Kosova minority," reports Albania paper. "The interest of diplomatic circles and press is focused not really on what Nano and Milosevic talked about regarding this question (Kosova), but whether both parties will be considered from now and on parties for this problem," says the editorial entitled "Will the couple Nano-Milosevic survive?" The paper cites the Kosova Premier Bujar Bukoshi to have said "Nano cannot decide for Kosova." "Hundreds of Albanian youths demonstrated on Monday afternoon along the streets of Tirana against the meeting of Nano with Milosevic," reports the paper under the title "The students against the Prime Minister." "Alimucaj, in Council of Ministers today," reports the paper on the third page.

Rilindja paper entitles its editorial "Fog of political redefination." "The doubt in the sincerity of the engagement of Fatos Nano regarding Kosova, consists also in the total lack of the efforts of his policy to secure the presence of Kosova with any acceptable basis in the regional meetings of the type of the Crete Summit, or other steps which would strengthen the subjectivity of Kosova in the international arena," says the editorial. The paper carries an interview of Kosova PM Bujar Bukoshi under the title "The legitimate representatives of Kosova should decide on it," given to 'Voice of America'".

"The debates held recently regarding the meeting Nano-Milosevic are focusing on the issue whether talks with Serbians should be held or not," reports Dita paper in the editorial entitled "Political show Nano- Milosevic." The paper reports that the scandal of using pesticides in the Albanian cement, is now a ping-pong between the politicians and the specialists. "Albania's PM asks Europeanization of inter-Balkan relations," reports the paper regarding the summit of Crete. "Today, the second round Vefa-government,' reports the paper on the economic page.

"The Democratic Party has abandoned the hall of Parliament and preferred the street instead,' reports Shekulli in the editorial entitled "When will we have opposition?" "The penal file for the attack on the Military Hospital will be ready soon," reports the paper on the fifth page under the title "Investigation on the generals of the Guard of the Republic."

"The talk of the two firsts, Nano and Milosevic is still covered by many question-marks," says the editorial of Gazeta Shqiptare, under the title "Only one green light." "Albania-Serbia shake hands," reports the paper on the first page. "Alimucaj and Malaj finally face to face," writes the paper on the third page. "The Tirana prosecutor's office has requested to the Greek party information on the head of Vlore," reports the paper "How did Zani Caushi escape?". /kled/mt/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[07] GREEK POLICE TO FINANCE CONSTRUCTION OF SARANDA COMMISSARIAT

He added that the Greek minister expressed the readiness in a recent meeting in Ioannina between the officials of the police commissariats of the South of Albania and leaders of the institutions of the Northern part of Greece at the presence of respective ministers.

Kociraj added that the Greek side will offer communication equipment, bullet-proof vests and others.

They have already released a fund worth 150 million leks to restore an existing building of the commissariat, which will later function as offices.

The Saranda commissariat has been destroyed since the beginning of March this year. pas/ak/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[08] NATO - PARTNER OF PROJECT "SCIENCE FOR PEACE"

This initiative aims the assistance and partnership with the Central and Eastern European countries in the period of transition into the market economy. The program envisages a new dimension of cooperation between the scientific committees and gives the participating countries the possibility to be commited to applied searching and development projects in cooperation with NATO analogous institutions. It also helps consolidate the socioeconomic infrastructure of these states aiming at the stability of peace and regional security.

Participating in the program are Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belorussia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, the Slovak Republic, Tadzhikistan, Turkestan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

At the beginning the scientists from the partner countries are being establishing contacts with their NATO analoguous institutions to make possible that the discoveries in science be put in service of peace. Proposals by scientists of the partner countries will be valued by NATO specialists on January 15 1998 to continue then with their concrete implementation. pas/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[09] CRETE SUMMIT ENDS WITH THE SIGNING OF A JOINT DECLARATION

The declaration stresses that the Balkan leaders confirm the will to work together to create the premises for the prosperity of their states and for peace, security, good neighbourliness and stability in the region.

Establishment of the rule of law, protection of the human rights and those of the national minorities, including the inter-ethnic dialogue, are the coming objectives of the Balkan countries. They are also committed to supporting the market economy and creating new jobs, especially for the younger generation.

The Balkan leaders confirm in the declaration the observation of the principles of the U.N. and Paris charters which sanction the respect of the sovereignty, non-violation of the borders and nonintereference in the internal affairs of one another. The European orientation of these countries is considered in the declaration as the integral part of the political, economic and social development of the Balkan states.

The declaration stresses in details the points for the consolidation of an all-sided cooperation and that the leaders there invited the ministers of economy and finance and those of other fields to have regular meetings among them.

Regular meetings were also recommended for the foreign ministers, while the political directors of these ministries are to meet once in three months to discuss various problems of cooperation.

The only point which was greatly discussed and which finally was not included in the declaration was that for the creation of a coordinating body, of a Balkan secretariat. This point will be discussed by the foreign ministers who will present their opinions later.

Those present in the meeting decided that the next summit be held in Antalia of Turkey in October next year.

Attending the Crete Summit were heads of states and governments for Albania, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Bosnia and Yugoslavia.

Last Monday, in the context of the summit, Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano met with the Yugoslav President Milosevic, the first meeting of this level between the two countries after 50 years.

This meeting and that between the Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, and the Turkish Prime Minister, Mesut Yilmaz were the two bilateral meetings which were of great interest during the summit. ke/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[10] INSECURITY CAUSES TENSION IN ALBANIAN FAMILY-survey

Some 31.3 per cent of the interviewed think that insecurity is the main cause for increasing family differences, 12.4 per cent think stress to be the main cause, 12.0 per cent think the economic situation, 10.1 per cent staying home for a long time, 5.9 per cent unemployment and 28.3 per cent hold that all these causes interwoven with one another are the main factors of the tense situation in the family.

"Violence, which is being felt everywhere, will have its effects in my and my family's life," this is what 56.0 per cent of the interviewed think, that is, violence in the society is one of the main source of the family problems and violence," the responsible for public relations in the "Reflection" association, Balina Bodinaku says. kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[11] GOVERNMENT COALITION STOOD THE TEST TO GOVERN FOR FOUR YEARS - Ceka

"The coalition is functioning in all directions, such as the Balkans, the transparence for the failed pyramid investment funds, the positive work in the establishment of the public order," said Ceka.

"DAP has worked under a great party pressure," said Ceka referring to the new nominations (Ceka is also Interior Minister). But our choice are independent intellectuals who are not party members."

The present Albanian Government consists of the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance Party, the Human Rights Union Party and the Agrarian Party.

In the first DAP congress last week, Neritan Ceka was reelected President of the Democratic Alliance Party. ssh/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[12] DAP SUPPORTS NANO-MILOSEVIC MEETING

"The heads of state should meet and a Prishtine-Belgrade dialogue must exist," DAP chairman Neritan Ceka told a news conference today.

Ceka voiced the opinion that dialogue is the road to solve the problems despite the results which may not be so quickly seen. He added that Albania must not stay outside the architecture of the Balkans.

"We think that Albania's role is not threatening, whereas the national interests are those of each nation, that the Albanians must live together, but it depends on how this is achieved. We are sure that Albanians will be together one day, the question is to bring this day nearer and the shortest road to attain this is that of Europe," said DAP president, who is also Interior Minister of Albania.

"The desire to take the flag of nationalism has only damaged the Albanian policy," said Ceka, whose party sent a delegation in 1997 to Belgrade to discuss with Serbian opponents.

DAP President also spoke about Corridor 8 focusing on the highway which may pass through Greece or Macedonia. "For us," he said, "both ways are good; in the final say the highways are decided neither by Athens nor Istanbul, but by Brussels that gives the money for its construction." ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[13] BULLETIN ON JUNE 29 ELECTIONS' TRANSPARENCY ISSUED

At a meeting on Tuesday with KQZ representatives, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) confirmed assistance in financing the bulletin.

The bulletin, published by KQZ conform article 78 of the Law on Elections, is an effort to report the voting results on a national scale. The 500-copy-bulletin includes statistics and tables with data on the June 29 elections provided by every constituency.

The OSCE, along with other international organisations, closely observed the June 29 elections and in conclusion they considered them "acceptable", calling on all the Albanian political parties to keep to the undertaken commitments to respect the elections' returns.a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[14] TIRANE MAYOR LEAVES FOR SPAIN

The Tirane Mayor, Albert Brojka, left Tuesday for Spain, to attend a three-day-meeting with counterparts of various European countries, due in Bilbao.

Brojka, who is also co-chairman of the Association of Albania's Mayors, will discuss in this meeting numerous issues the municipality of the Albanian capital is faced with.

He also plans to meet and discuss with his counterparts relations in various fields among the municipalities. s.sh/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[15] CRETE SUMMIT HELD TO PROMOTE MILOSEVIC - DP chairman

"Nano can negotiate the Kosova issue only when authorised by the Kosova parties," Berisha told a news conference on Tuesday.

Berisha attacked the summit on the Crete island for "having its doors closed to Europe and the U.S." and said that: "the Greek government exploited it, using not only the socialist lines, to promote Milosevic," who, on his part, "was not very warm to the summit".

Recalling the time when he was president of the Republic Berisha said: "I have refused to meet Milosevic. I would not meet him without the mandate of the political parties of Kosova."

Berisha said that the Kosova issue can be resolved through the Prishtine - Belgrade dialogue, in the presence of a third guaranteeing side, which for him is the European Union in cooperation with the U.S. a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[16] SOCIALISTS ADOPT REGULATION FOR THEIR PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

The chairman of the SP group Pandeli Majko considered the regulation "very important and unprecedented" in the history of the Albanian parliament.

The regulation has more than 20 articles and "determines the individual freedoms of the deputy." Also representatives of the U.S. Republic Institute have cooperated for the regulation.

These representatives held two lectures in the meeting on the transparence of the People's Assembly, a topic which they will also treat in a seminar to be held in a few days in Tirane. ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[17] ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MEETS HIS ROMANIAN COUNTERPART IN CRETE

Nano and Ciorbea highlighted the meeting of Crete as another possibility to boost cooperation in the region and voiced the belief that other constructive steps may be taken in this direction, spokesman of the government reports.

Speaking of the Albanian-Romanian bilateral relations, the two prime ministers stressed the fact that there is a tendency for their increase and that no problems exist for them to further develop.

Attending the meeting also were the respective foreign ministers of Albania and Romania, Paskal Milo and Adrian Severin. ake/kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[18] LESS PUPILS, MORE ATTENTION TO THE NATIONAL MINORITY SCHOOLS

"In order to stabilize the situation in the schools of the pupils of national minorities following the unrest throughout the country in the first half of the current year, the cooperation with the public order and local government has had its good impact," said Minister of Education and Science, Ethem Ruka.

More than 3000 minority pupils in the preschool system, in the 8 form and secondary schools started classes this September from the national minorities, Greek and Macedonian, sources of the Ministry confirm.

About 450 teachers, most of them from the national minorities, teach in these schools.

"The problem in the education of children of national minorities is the lower number of pupils as a result of many families, mainly of the Greek minority, leaving the country towards the neighbouring Greek state during the first half of this year," Dashnor Nikollari, inspector of the Ministry told ATA.

The assistance of the Greek and Macedonian states to the education of the children of these two minorities in Albania, along with the training and qualification of the teachers, is also felt in the publication of text books in their respective languages.

The Greek minority in Albania is concentrated in southern district of Gjirokaster, Saranda and Delvina, whereas the Macedonian minority in the southeastern district of Korce. kei/xh/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[19] CRETE, INITIATIVE CONTRIBUTING TO BALKANS' INTEGRATION INTO EUROPE - Godo

"If you don't have good relations with the neighbour, you will not feel comfortable in your home, either," Sabri Godo, also chairman of the Albanian Republican party, says in his message coming from the Crete summit, held between November 2 and 4.

Referring to the meeting between Albania's Prime Minister Fatos Nano and Yugolav President Slobodoan Milosevic, Godo said that "the Albanian side should have been prepared better" and said that "nothing was reached in this meeting".

Godo said that "the Albanian side should defend the rights of the Kosova borthers, and not speak on their behalf", stressing that "It would have been better for the Kosova and Tirane leaders to have held preliminary talks" (prior to the Nano-Milosevic meeting).

He considered that "the political-economic relations, their expansion and multilateral or bilateral exchanges in various fields, lead to the further integration of the Balkans into Europe." a.ke/kei/lm/k

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[20] VEFA PRESIDENT DOES NOT ATTEND MEETING ON AUDITORS' PRESENCE

The president of the "Vefa-Holding" Company, Vehbi Alimucaj, did not attend Tuesday's meeting with Finance Minister Arben Malaj and Justice Minister Thimio Kondi on the presence of auditors in this company.

"I was convinced of Alimucaj's participation in this meeting and we were disillusioned by his non attendance," the head of the auditors' group, Farudin Arapi said.

"We are delayed in sending auditors and we do not allow Alimucaj to become an obstacle," he said.

Justice Minister Thimio Kondi pointed to the indispensability of installing auditors in VEFA and added that on the basis of the respective law this company should accept them beginning with Wednesday, November 5.

Finance Minister, Arben Malaj said that "irrespective of the approval or refusal by the president of that company, beginning with tomorrow the auditors will start their activity in that company."

"Even if Alimucaj will erect hindrances, he will be legally obliged to agree," said Malaj.

The Albanian Government decided on October 28 that state auditors be attached to the loan-taking company VEFA HOLDING, on the basis of court files proving that this company has stopped paying its creditors.

In the Donors meeting in Brussels, the granting of an assistance of 600 million dollars for Albania was conditioned with the immediate and unhesitating elimination of the pyramid investment schemes.

VEFA has taken loans from about 86 000 people and since January it has respected none of the points of the contracts he has made with the creditors. ake/kei/xh/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency

[21] ALBANIA'S PRIME MINISTER CALLS CRETE SUMMIT SUCCESSFUL

In an interview with ATA on the summit's proceedings Nano said that the summit "created a climate of dialogue, made evident possibilities, structures and commitments for interregional cooperation as well as promoted commitments to create a zone of peace, stability and security in the Balkans.

Prime Minister Nano voiced the will for a summit to be also held in Tirane in the future, at a time when the next summit will be held in Antalia of Turkey in October 1998, and the candidate to be the host country for the summit in 1999 was Romania.

PM Nano considered his meeting with Yugoslav President Milosevic as historic "because it encouraged the resumption of the dialogue which covered all the problems of the Albanian-Yugoslav relations, including the dialogue between Kosova and Belgrade."

He said that the Albanian ethnic community in Yugoslavia is very great to be neglected and very civilized to be treated as second hand citizens.

"The beginning of the dialogue shows that it will be followed by other meetings. I hope it will not be prejudged either by the parties or by the public opinion," said Nano.

With regard to the insistence of Mr Milosevic that the question of Kosova is an internal issue, Albanian PM stressed that "this cannot be considered an internal question of Yugoslavia because the human rights, the political and civic rights cannot be measured with the yardstick of the regimes in set countries, which treat the other ethnic and national communities as subjects to be subdued." ake/kei/lm/xh/

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

Albanian Telegraphic Agency Directory - Previous Article - Next Article