TIRANA, March 26 /ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, was received at the Holy See in a private audience by Pope Francis.

Minister Hasani, on behalf of the Albanian government and state, highly appreciated the efforts of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church to maintain peace, stability and harmony between religious communities, nations and peoples in the world.

“His Holiness, who highly appreciated the good example of Albania to the rest of the world for human solidarity and religious brotherhood, continues to be an inspiration and guiding light in our country’s continuous effort to be on the right side of history,” minister Hasani pointed out.

In the meeting with Pope Francis, the inter-faith harmony in Albania was highlighted as a very good example to the whole region and not only.

Albania’s relations with the Holy See are very important and go beyond institutional relations. The establishment of diplomatic relations with the Vatican City (1991) coincides with the establishment of pluralism and democracy, which brought freedom to institutions, including freedom of religion, and restored the faith of Albanians.

This year marks 10 years since the visit of Pope Francis to Albania, who chose to visit Albania as the first country in Europe precisely for the Interreligious Dialogue between different religious faiths in Albania and to pay tribute to the martyrs of the persecution by the communist regime.