"Towards an Albanian Structure and Strategy for Human Rights Treaty Reporting" was the theme of the workshop organised by the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNDP and UNHCHR, with active participation of UNICEF, in particular on the children's rights convention. It aimed in assessing the existing capacities on human rights treaty reporting for the Government of Albania, and provided relevant recommendations for the future. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Paskal Milo, opened the workshop with his speech, which was followed by presentations of international experts and members of UN Human Rights Treaty Commissions. The officials from the inter-ministerial structures and civil society attended the workshop.
	In the line with the public awareness campaign on weapon collection, the UNDP project "Weapons in Exchange for Development" supported by UNIFEM, organized the conference "Women of Peshkopi say: No to weapons - Yes to life - Yes to development". The conference focussed on the role of women in the weapons collection programme. About 150 participants were present in the conference, and they expressed their support to the public information campaign.
	As per request of the Albanian Government, the UNHCR country office has assisted in handling the situation in the border crossing points where people are moving out of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia into Albania. Two UNHCR teams have been located in Peshkopia and Pogradec in order to receive first-hand information from police, local authorities and non-governmental organizations on the recent developments. Most of people left Macedonia as a precautionary measure. According to the Albanian Government, about 2,850 people crossed the border checkpoint "Qafa Thane" between Albania and FYROM during the month of March. Most of them were children and women, who intended to join their relatives in Albania or move further to other countries.
	A team from UNDP Albania participated in the workshop on public relations, which was organized by UNDP office in Kosovo. Following good experiences in the past and according to the recent changes and respective requirements, the workshop provided participants with expertise on public information and resource mobilisation tasks.

 

	The Friends of Albania (FOA) Group met at international level in Brussels in order to review the ongoing process of democratic transition in Albania and achievements made by the Albanian Government in terms of institutional and structural reforms in the past year. The conference acknowledged the way in which Albania had put behind the crisis of 1997 and 1999. It commended the authorities for implementing policies aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability, resulting to a favourable growth performance, improving revenue performance and implementing a transparent privatisation process. However, the economic progress is related to the performance in the electric sector, which was recommended for additional review in the 2001 budget. With regard to the Albania's Stabilisation and Association process to EU, the Delegation of the European Commission welcomed the efforts made by Albania in developing a legislative framework in line with EU standards. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of the continuos efforts in enhancing governance and the rule of law, and functioning of the public administration.
	Albanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Paskal Milo, participated in the 57-th Session of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, which was held in Geneva. "There is a legal framework in Albania that guarantees the human rights according to the up-to-date standards in the field of media, religious freedom, respect of the minorities' rights and related issues". With reference to the expected parliamentarian elections in Albania in June 2001, Minister Milo expressed the commitment of the Albanian Government to have fair and free election, according to the democratic standards. In the view of regional development, Mr. Milo stated that the Albanian Government considers that the solution of inherited problems in FYROM cannot be attained by means of weapons but through a dialogue between parties.
	A meeting of representatives from Parliaments in the South East European countries was held in Skopja in early March. The Vice-Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Mr. Namik Dokle stated that Albania is committed to promote further progress in the process of regional integration and cooperation. With regard to the recent tense situation in the region, Mr. Dokle expressed that the only solution would be the democratic dialogue, by strengthening the state institutions in favor of well-understanding, peace, tolerance and cooperation.
	Albanian Premier Ilir Meta met with French Foreign Minister, Mr. Hubert Vedrine, during his official visit to France. They discussed on the bilateral relations, as well as about the developments in the Balkan region. During his visit to France, Premier Meta has given speeches to the International Diplomatic Academy of Paris on "Albania's contribution to regional stability and cooperation", as well as to the conference organised by the French Foreign Trade Centre in Paris on Albania. While introducing the Albania's development in the last year and its capacities for further progress, he invited French business to invest to Albania.
	Former Austrian chancellor, Mr. Franz Vranitzky, who is well known as ex-envoy of the OSCE in Albania during the unrest '97, was heading the delegation of Austrian businessmen in Tirana. Mr. Vranitzky met with President Rexhep Meidani and Premier Ilir Meta. Delegation established contacts with Albanian Government officials, and in addition received information on the local business and related country capacities for welcoming of foreign investments.
	The National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) initiated in the end of March the nationwide census for Albania. It will be developed throughout the year, however its first outputs are expected to be announced already in the summer. The census will include registration of population, and some detailed information on family living conditions and housing. This project will be supported by the Governments of Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and by Council of Europe and Albanian Government. The last population registration in Albania was completed by INSTAT in 1989.

*Information sources include ATA (Albanian Telegraphic Agency) and Albanian Daily News.