Media advisory

TIRANA, 20 June 2005 - The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Pavel Vacek, will open a Women's Counselling Centre in the northern Albanian town of Kukes on Tuesday, 21 June. The Centre was established as part of a 40,000 euro project by the OSCE Presence, financed by the German Embassy in Albania.

The aim of the Centre is to support fair and equal treatment of women through psychological encouragement, counselling, mediation, legal advice, representation at court, public awareness and training. It is the first one of its kind in the area and is expected to provide immediate help to victims of domestic violence.

The Centre is also a platform for contacts among women's organizations and individuals in the region, as well as for participation in programmes inside and outside Albania.

Representatives of the local authorities and the German Embassy will attend the opening of the Centre.

Media representatives are invited to attend the event, which will begin on Tuesday, 21 June, at 17.00 in the premises of the Women's Counselling Centre, Ish-Shkolla e Muzikes, Kukes. The opening will be followed at 17.50 by a media opportunity with Ambassador Vacek, at the same location.