The UNDP National Human Development Report 2000, which is among the most requested annual publications in Albania, is now available for distribution. The report covers both macroeconomic and social issues in the country's development in the aftermath of the Kosovo refugee crisis. In particular, the 2000 report analyses one of the most important phenomena of Albanian contemporary history, the issue of migration. The report was prepared by a team of national experts from governmental and non-governmental organisations. In addition, a number of institutions from civil society worked on several surveys and studies included in this report. The report will shortly be available at our web sites: http://www.al.undp.org and http://www.undp.org.al

After considerable experience in promoting women’s participation in political life and in decision making, the UNDP project "Women can do it!" launched in the last quarter of 2000 has shown concrete results achieved during the electoral process. A series of training and support activities in support of female candidates were conducted during the last local government elections of October 2000. Compared to the same election in 1996, there has been a relative increase of elected women, for example: 7.7% women elected as Mayor (as compared to 4.6% in 1996); 1.3% women elected as Head of Commune (as compared to 0.3% in 1996); 19.4% women elected as Chair of the District (as compared to 5.6% in 1996); The results were presented during a round table meeting organised by the Women's Network Millennium and Union Gender Task Force in December 2000.

On the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the UNHCR, the UNHCR report "State of the World Refugees 2000" was launched during a ceremony at the Academy of Fine Arts of Tirana. "Albania has been a prime witness of forced displacements, war and violations of human rights during Kosovo crisis in 1999, and it was our commitment to provide protection and assistance to refugees"- stated Mrs. Marion Hoffman, UNHCR Country Representative, during the ceremony. The prize for the best TV report on humanitarian crisis, promoted by UNHCR, was presented to the journalist of Albanian Public TV channel TVSH, Mrs. Mimoza Tuci. Several public activities were organised for the occasion, such as a press briefing, a UNHCR historical photo exhibition, quiz contests among youngsters in TV, etc.

UNDP is expected to continue its assistance in the area of Mine Action in Albania through the support to AMAE (Albanian Mine Action Executive) and AMAC (Albanian Mine Action Committee). Considerable progress has been made so far, however, causalities continue to occur, and the threat of mines in Albania remains a high risk factor. UNDP is providing financial and administrative support to the AMAE office, together with funds given by the Canadian Government. As a member of the AMAC, the UNDP continues to actively contribute its inputs to the regular meetings held by AMAC on monthly basis.

Within the framework of the UNDP project "Guidance in Programme/Project Planning, Formulation, Implementation and Appraisal", a workshop on "Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects" was organised in January 2001, with the participation of government officials from 7 line ministries. Such training is expected to contribute to increase the government’s capacities on management of foreign technical assistance, by strengthening the skills of civil servants involved with cooperation projects.

UNDP/UNIDO Project "Restructuring of Enterprises and Competitiveness Development" has begun its second year of implementation. As planned, the project completed the restructuring plans for 8 private and state owned enterprises by January 2001 and it is recently assisting their managers to implement the recommendations. The diagnostics have been completed also for five other enterprises, where the recommendations are studied and agreed with respective managers. Such implementation is expected to be commenced between the end of January and early February.

Newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator for Albania, Mrs. Anna-Kristina Stjärnerklint, arrived in Tirana on 26^th January. Mrs. Stjärnerklint is joining the country team in Albania after extensive experience with UN, and in particular, in UNDP Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. The UNDP country team is pleased to welcome her on board.

As of January 2001, Albania has taken over the co-chairmanship of Working Table 2 (economic and social development) of Stability Pact. As stated by Mrs. Ermelinda Meksi, National Co-ordinator for Stability Pact and Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade, the Government is preparing to host a donor's conference this year in Albania.

In the wake of instability of the Albanian politics, the OSCE presence in Albania has initiated a round table with representatives of political parties and representatives of international community, intending to contribute for further improvements to the electoral process. Albania will hold parliamentary election in spring 2001. The international community is committed to provide assistance. The Democratic Party (DP), the biggest opposition party, has conditioned its participation on the acknowledgement of irregularities during local government election in 2000, and the repetition of ballots in the cases where the irregularities have influenced the final results. The boycott of DP was followed by daily rallies in Tirana's "Skenderbeg" Square.

Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Ilir Meta, paid his first official visit to Kosovo in December 2000. Within the aim of establishing economic and cultural relations between Albania and Kosovo, this visit has urged moderation in settling differences between Albanians and Serbs in the area. Mr. Meta met with UNMIK Administrator, Mr. Kouchner, as well as with leaders of Albanian political parties in Kosovo.

Albanian President, Mr. Rexhep Meidani, attended in December 2000 the UN Conference against organised crime, hosted in Palermo, Italy. Among 100 other nations, Albania signed the Treaty on the Fight against Transnational Crime, as well as two protocols on fight against trafficking of human beings and the illegal immigration, signed by the majority of the participants. "A better efficient responsibility in stopping the human traffic requires both regional and international measures" stated Meidani.

In respond to the official note from the Yugoslav Government, the Albanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Milo, confirmed on 17^th January the reestablishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, suspended since the start of the Kosovo crisis in March 1999. The restoration represents an important step in strengthening the peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans. It will open the possibility for Albania to impose demands and conditions on the Yugoslavia in order to release Kosovo-Albanian political prisoners and to find the missing people since the war in Kosovo.

Following long debates and criticism, and continuous opposition rallies and protests, some members of the Central Election Commission (CEC) have resigned recently.The CEC chairperson, Mr. Fotaq Nano, was the first to resign, followed by two other members. This has opened the opportunity to make the proper changes to the new structure, based on the consensus among the political parties. However, the CEC is charged with a number of crucial and important tasks with only a few months to go before the parliamentary elections.

The energy crisis in Albania continued to harm the economy and consumers, although the state is drawing on its financial resources to import energy. The industrial enterprises in private and state sectors face difficult situation due to the power cuts. A better situation resulted in January, due to rains and water level increase at the hydropower stations.

Swiss government granted USD 210 000 for a two year programme to set up a Media Training Balkan Network among the media institutions in the region. Such a network will provide not only training but also exchange of communication and experience in this subject. Among 13 other participating countries, Albania will be represented by the Albanian Media Institute.

Aiming to a better regional cooperation and strengthening of Italian business presence in South East Europe, the biggest Italian trade fair "Fiera del Levante" was inaugurated in December 2000 in Tirana.