Minister Shala and Cardinal Ravasi: Kosovo and Vatican, concrete cooperation in the field of culture

Within the official visit to Italy, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kujtim Shala, accompanied by Deputy Minister Rexhep Hoti, was welcomed at the Vatican by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture at the Vatican.

In a cordial meeting between the Minister Shala and Cardinal Ravasi, were discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, especially about existing spaces for cultural cooperation between Kosovo and the Vatican. In this regard, Minister Shala and Cardinal Ravasi spoke about concrete possibilities to initiate cooperation between Kosovo institutions and those of the Vatican, in the field of culture, but also sports.

Cardinal Ravasi expressed his willingness and cultural institutions of the Vatican to cooperate on themes and specific areas related to culture, especially the cultural institutions of Kosovo and the Vatican Museum, with the Pontifical University Urbaniana, Gregorian, the Vatican Library and Apostolic library, archives, and the Institute for Conservation of Books.

Minister Shala expressed his gratitude for the reception and said that concrete cooperation in the field of culture between Kosovo and cultural institutions of the Vatican, is very important for Kosovo and its future, and added that Kosovo wants to benefit from the extraordinary experiences of Vatican in specific areas related to culture because it helps our country's culture.

Minister Shala also raised the need for Kosovo as a new state, to become part of the relevant international organizations, as this affects the preservation of cultural heritage of Kosovo and its recognition as an asset for all.