Van der Linden bespreekt namens Raad van Europa corruptie, criminaliteit en administratieve hervormingen van Albanië (en)

Strasbourg, 20.10.2005 - The fight against corruption and organised crime, legislative and electoral reform and freedom of the press are among the main topics which René van der Linden, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will be discussing during his official visit to Albania from 24 to 26 October 2005.

The visit is in response to an invitation from the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Jozefina Topalli, with whom the President will hold talks on Monday 24 October. He will also meet the President of the Republic Alfred Moisiu, Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the Ministers of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Education and European Integration.

The President is also due to address the new parliament elected on 3 July last. During his visit he will meet the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs and European Integration parliamentary committees, opposition leaders and representatives of NGOs and the media.

The PACE President will give a press conference on Tuesday 25 October at 1 p.m. at the Hotel Rogner Europapark, Tirana.

Press contact: Francesc Ferrer, PACE Communication Unit, mobile: +33 6 3049 6822