President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj received this Monday the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. 

Noting the excellent interstate relations between Albania and the Vatican State, but also the spiritual ones between the Albanian Catholic community and the Holy See, President Begaj welcomed the visit of Monsignor Gallagher to Albania and considered it a confirmation of these relations. 

President Begaj specifically focused on the extraordinary role and contribution that the Holy See has played and plays for the peace and stability of the Western Balkans region. In this context, President Begaj reiterated the request for recognition by the Vatican State of the State of Kosovo, recognition that would serve as a great support for the newest state in Europe. 

President Begaj underlined the need for increased support from all important actors for Kosovo and its citizens, as well as the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia facilitated by the European Union and supported by the United States of America. 

Both interlocutors also focused on the impact on the Western Balkans region of the Russian military aggression in Ukraine and the awareness of the importance this region has for the stability of the European continent, but not only.