Prishtina, October 23 – The President of the Republic of Kosovo, received in a meeting Bishop Ephraim M. Tendero, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance, Pastor Driton Krasniqi, President of the Protestant Evangelical Church of Kosovo and Pastor Fehmi Cakolli, Director of the marking of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in Kosovo.
Bishop Tendero is staying in Kosovo at the invitation of the Protestant Evangelical Church of Kosovo to attend the Reformation Week held to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
President Thaçi expressed his gratitude for the visit, adding that he feels honored that this anniversary is being marked in Kosovo, and considered this as a gratitude for entire Kosovo.
“This is a recognition for Kosovo. Kosovo deserves such a recognition because it is a country that promotes dialogue, tolerance, coexistence and peace”, stressed President Thaçi.
Speaking about the development of the dialogue between religions, President Thaçi recalled that “every year we organize the INTER-FAITH conference that brings together religious leaders, politicians and academics from around the world”.
The Head of State also spoke about the promotion of the dialogue between ethnic communities.
“I have initiated the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will close the war chapter and open the chapter of lasting peace among people in Kosovo. But, we also promote the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as the only alternative to sustainable peace in the region”, added President Thaçi.
Bishop Tendero expressed gratitude to President Thaçi for the support of religious freedom in Kosovo and the promotion of religious harmony between various religious groups.
Bishop Tendero handed over to President Thaçi a plaque of gratitude on behalf of the World Evangelical Alliance and the published books by the Protestant Evangelical Church of Kosovo.
President Thaçi stated that tolerance and coexistence are foundations of the Kosovo society and that the state of Kosovo will protect and promote these values anywhere in the world.