Kosovo, 23 May 2014 – Her Excellency Mrs Atifete Jahjaga, President of the Republic of Kosovo was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I and a Gold Benemerenti Medalist of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
The President’s investiture took place at the Office of the President in Kosovo and was conducted by His Eminence Renato Raffaele, Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George on behalf of HRH Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master. The investiture took place as part of the International Interfaith Conference organised by Kosovo Foreign Ministry, in partnership with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and Community of St Egiddio, sponsored by the British Council, Norwegian Embassy and US Embassy in Kosovo.
Cardinal Martino also invested His Excellency Mr Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I and Mr Petrit Selimi, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kosovo as a Knight Commander of the Royal Order of Francis I.
These awards were granted in recognition of the work done in recent years in Kosovo by these individuals for peace-building and the example they set with their work for all faith and ethnic communities in Kosovo and the Balkan region.
The President of Kosovo, on the other hand, bestowed the Mother Teresa Humanitarian Medal to both the Grand Master H.R.H. Prince Charles of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and to His Eminence Renato Raffaele Cardinal Martino, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George.
The Mother Teresa Humanitarian Medal, one of the highest national honours of Kosovo, was awarded in high recognition in administering charitable, humanitarian and spiritual activities in Kosovo.
H.E. Mr. Anthony Bailey, Delegate for Great Britain and Ireland & Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations of the Constantinian Order and Mr. Alberto Janelli, Private Secretary to H.R.H. The Duke of Castro, also attended.
More information: www.president-ksgov.net