In a special ceremony, President of the Republic Ilir Meta awarded "Mother Teresa" medal to Italian Senator, Pier Ferdinando Casini, in appreciation of his outstanding personality as a politician, who embodies the highest values of parliamentarism, dialogue and democracy, and for his contribution to strengthening Italian-Albanian friendship.
"Senator Casini has made an extraordinary contribution to Albania's promotion in the international arena, as well as supported various Italian parliamentary initiatives in the interest of strengthening relations between Italy and Albania. He has also been a constant advocate for Albania's NATO membership and visa liberalization," Meta noted.
Moreover, the head of state stressed that Senator Casini is one of the most prominent personalities of Italian politics, who has significantly influenced the strengthening of relations between the two countries.
"As President of the Chamber of Deputies, but also as Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, Casini has helped strengthen inter-parliamentary relations and create an excellent cooperation atmosphere between the two parliaments," said Meta, mentioning also Casini's valuable contribution to the construction of the Catholic University "Our Lady of Good Counsel", which, according to the President, is today among the most rated in Albania, and attended by many Italian students.
In the frame of Pan-national Year of Skanderbeg, President Meta emphasized that intensification of political, historical and cultural contacts with Italy is special since also to Skanderbeg, his own alliances beyond the Adriatic were special and vital in the most glorious times of the Albanian nation.
On his part, Mr Casini expressed his deep appreciation for this award, which came from a "close friend of mine and a true friend of Italy".
"This medal is not for me, as it goes to our excellent bilateral relations as countries," said Casini.
Present at the ceremony were DP chairman Lulzim Basha, former Parliament Speaker Servet Pëllumbi, former PM Sali Berisha, as well as MPs, former ministers and representatives of the diplomatic corps such as Italian Ambassador to Albania Alberto Cutillo, German Ambassador Susanne Schutz, Dutch Ambassador Dewi Van Der Weerd, and Spanish Ambassador Vicente Canelles Montero.