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."
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."
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