UNDP country office staff, project personnel and official government counterparts gathered in a three-days retreat, 26-29 April 2001, on the reprofiling and refocusing needs of UNDP programmes and operations in Albania. The retreat achieved progress in the basic steps of advancing the necessary changes including the mission statement and an action plan for change. As result of the reprofiling, it is expected that the organisation will offer better and more focused technical cooperation programmes in the country. In particular, UNDP in the future will make greater efforts to draw attention, by establishing closer relations with the media.

As part of the UNEP's effort to assess the environmental consequences from the Kosovo conflict (1999), the UNEP's report on Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment for Albania was launched. An additional briefing assessment was held with representatives from donors countries community, in order to use the feasibility studies and the report as a useful information in overall efforts of international community to assist Albania.

In response to the call for a new approach to the programme and office management, two UNDP missions, respectively, on the Decentralisation and Local Governance, and in Human Security were fielded during April. The missions aimed to formulate a programme component on both fields, which will ensure self-reliant development for community organisations, aiming to improve programme and management of the local government efforts, including assistance on information system and how to apply ICT for development. These missions realised a very tight agenda and met with UNDP, donor country representatives and Government officials, contributing to a well planed and organised reprofiling process in the country office structure.

UNOPS project in Albania (PASARP) in cooperation with WHO office, organized a number of social and cultural activities on the mental health field in commemoration of the International Health Day - 8 April. Such activities were aiming to focus on the respect of the patients' human rights, the improvement of their economic status, as well as the elimination of the segregation of related institutions.

Prime Ministers from Balkan countries met in Athens, aiming to contribute towards the establishment of peace in the region. "We share a common will to exert our positive influence as much as we can towards solving problems through dialog" - stated Albanian Premier, Mr. Meta. In this framework, additional meetings were held with Premier of Greece, Mr. Simitis, Premier of Yugoslavia, Mr. Djindjic, the Chief of Foreign Policy of EU, Mr. Solana

A second stage of experts level meetings for the preparatory works for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement of Albania with EU was initiated. The EU delegation led by Mr. Patten, Commissioner of Foreign Relations, held meetings with Albanian high officials and discussed on the public administration reform, weapon collection, economic situation and privatisation process, as well as on the public procurements practices.

As per National Bank of Albania, the foreign investments in the country surged to a record during 2000, estimated to be approximately 143 million USD. This is the highest level since transition was initiated in early '90. It is due to the extensive privatisations in the last year, such as mobile phone companies, state enterprises, etc.

Albanian governmentcompleted the procedures for contracting the Italian chrome company "Darfo", which will run most of the country's chrome industry. The company has already activities in ferro-chromium factory, and mines in southeast Albania, and it is expected to be expanded to the northeast areas, well known for rich mine resources.

Government of Albania and Belgium has reached an agreement to repatriate about 2000 illegal emigrants settled in Belgium during 1999-2000. Such return of emigrants will be completed within this year. The agreement was signed by the respective ministers of interior, Mr. Gjoni and Mr. Duquesne, aiming to contribute in stopping the human trafficking, drugs trafficking activities, etc.

Albanian President, Mr. Rexhep Meidani, decreed the date of general parliamentary election. After long discussions and talks among the ruling parties coalition and opposition for the lack of time in preparatory works, the election will be held on 24 June 2001.

The Central Election Commission has announced that the voters' list will be thoroughly checked before 20 May 2001. During last local governmental election (October 2000) in Albania, the opposition has contested the voters' list, pretending that a large number of people were left out.