Tirana, September 2012. On behalf of the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro, the Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations and Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland, HE Mr Anthony Bailey, paid a four-day visit to Albania from 10-13 September 2012.
During the visit, the Delegate paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr Bujar Nishani, newly elected President of the Republic of Albania, at the Presidential Palace in Tirana. Attending the meeting were the Director of the Cabinet of the President, Mr Florjan Nuri and the Political Adviser of the President, HRH Prince Leka II. HSH Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg also attended.
The Delegate extended a personal message from the Grand Master to the Albanian Head of State and highlighted the various charitable and humanitarian projects undertaken by the Constantinian Order since 1999. References were made to the successful visit to a charitable project in Tirana by the then Duke and Duchess of Calabria in the Duke’s then capacity as the Order’s Grand Prefect. The President for his part welcomed the activities being undertaken by the Order in his country and acknowledged the important contribution the Order plays in furthering inter-religious relations between Christians, Muslims and Jews.
The Head of State and the Delegate discussed the opportunity for the Order to partner in projects promoting Albania’s longstanding contribution to inter-religious understanding especially in light of the centenary celebrations of Albania scheduled for 28 November 2012.
Delegate Anthony Bailey presented the golden medallion of the Order to the President and Mr Nishani presented the Presidential Shield to the Delegate.
For more information on the Presidency in Albania please visit www.president.al