WELCOME The commitment of the Italian Cooperation in Albania reflects the consolidation of a bond between the two countries and is articulated in various areas of intervention, in the frame of a general strategy coherent with the one adopted by the Albanian Government. Since 1992, the financial commitments undertaken reach an overall amount of 600 million Euro, which makes Italy the first bilateral donor and in an overall third place after the European Union and the World Bank. Italy intends to contribute, alone and together with other donors, to the association process of Albania to Europe and furthermore to favour the socio-economic development and the stability consolidation within the country. The projects are agreed within a three-year basis and are focused on the rehabilitation of infrastructures, the enhancement of basic services and socio-sanitary conditions, institutional building and private sector development. The programme offers a participative approach, with particular attention to gender issues, environmental protection and a strong participation of the Italian civil society, by means of NGOs and decentralized cooperation activities. I express a particular appreciation for the activities carried out by the Italian Development Cooperation Office of this Embassy and for the constant and qualified support assured by the General Directorate for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.