September 28, 2017 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, in a private audience was received today by the Holy Father, Pope Francis, at the Holy See in the Vatican.
The President emphasized that Kosovo continues to preserve the patience, trust and values that we have as a society – love and solidarity in the family and in the society, the respect for the dignity of everyone, the tolerance and the cooperation.
“The Vatican is a guide and motivator to remain steadfast in the protection and promotion of these values. Therefore, we are proud of Mother Teresa, because no one better than her has protected and spread all over the world these values”, he added.
President Thaçi expressed his happiness and gratitude that Kosovo has built friendly relations with the Holy See.
“But, we would like these to rise to the same level that all the other people of the world enjoy”, he stressed.
President Thaçi informed the Holy Father about the consolidation of the state of Kosovo, about the coexistence between the different communities and religions. “Kosovo is an example of dialogue between the communities and religious coexistence”, he added.
The President thanked the Holy Father for the support that the Vatican has given to Kosovo in the cultivation of peace and democracy.
“We are happy that, at the beginning of the month, the Cathedral of Mother Teresa in Kosovo, has been consecrated. Thank you for having sent the precious Cardinal Ernest Simoni”, he added.
He informed the Pope about the organization of the annual “Inter-Faith Kosova” conference, in which religious leaders, academics, politicians, scientists, among them many former state leaders and Nobel Peace Prize laureates meet and discuss about the deepening of the dialogue among religions around the world.
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, informed the Holy Father Pope Francis also about the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “The aim is to close the conflict chapter and open the chapter of cooperation”, affirmed the Head of State.
He further said that we are developing the dialogue with Serbia, in the building of good neighborly relations, the normalizing of relations and mutual recognition.
“So, we are working to promote values, such as peace, dialogue, cooperation, tolerance, coexistence, in Kosovo, in the region and in the world. This is the Kosovo of today, although many still have in mind the Kosovo of the past – the one of war and destruction”, he said.
At the end, President Thaçi conveyed to the Holy Father, once again, the heartfelt invitation, on behalf of all citizens, to visit Kosovo.