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VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received
the Letters of Credence of Zef Bushati,
the new ambassador from the
Republic of Albania, and assured him of his constant prayers that Albania
"may continue
faithfully down the road of prosperity and peace, forever
safeguarding mutual respect, dialogue and collaboration between
all its
inhabitants."
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John Paul II affirmed that in order to resolve their current problems,
the
people of Albania can call on "their well-known characteristics of
courage and strength," whose champions were the national
hero, George
Castriota Skanderbeg, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "daughter of the
Albanian people, who rendered honor
and glory to her nation and the
Catholic Church."
"As part of the European cultural, historical and geographical
framework,
Albania justly aspires to build a constructive dialogue with the other
peoples of the continent; it wishes
to contribute actively to building the
common 'European home.' ... The Albanian people want to find their role in
a
broader international context, opening up to whole world. However, the
first condition - and at the same time consequence
- of this legitimate
ambition is the need for greater internal cohesion and stability, which
will give Albania more
credibility before the gathering of nations."
The Holy Father concluded by recalling that one proof of the good
relations
between Albania and the Holy See is the recent collaboration
agreement signed between them "with the aim of regularizing
their
relations; an agreement that is now awaiting ratification by parliament as
you, Mr. Ambassador, recalled."
CD/.../CREDENCE/ALBANIA
VIS 20020510 (260)
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