Pope Benedict receives President Topi of Albania

Vatican City, Dec 6, 2007 / 09:51 am

Just days after the December 4 accord between the Vatican and Albania was reached, the Pope received the President of the Republic of Albania, Bamir Topi in an audience today. 

"The president conveyed his gratitude to the Catholic Church for the help she offers the Albanian people, especially through educational and charitable institutions,” reported the Holy See’s Press Office.  He also expressed happiness for the December 4 agreement with the Vatican regarding fiscal and economic matters.

The pact between the countries regulates “the fiscal status of Catholic Church organizations in Albania, the economic administration of such structures, and the contributory- insurance scheme for the non-Albanian religious and lay personnel who serve in them."

The Albanian president explained that it was “his hope that such collaboration may continue, also from a cultural and spiritual standpoint.”

"President Topi explained the steps recently taken by the Albanian government to resolve the country's main difficulties, establish a State of law, and proceed towards European integration. Finally, attention turned to a number of bilateral and regional questions; concerning the definitive juridical status of Kosovo, talks dwelt on the need to bear in mind the fundamental requests of the parties and to prevent any recourse to violence."