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The President of the Republic at the Presentation of Credentials by H.E. Archbishop Peter Stephan Zurbriggen on April 4, 200204.04.2002
Your Excellency,
I am delighted to welcome you as a high-ranking representative of the Holy See to Estonia.
Between Estonia and the Holy See a close and strong relationship has been established to hold in respect and to guard values common to all humanity. Peace and freedom, uniqueness of every human being, self-esteem of people - all these important concepts constitute the basis, on which the mutual trust and co-operation between Estonia and the Holy See, with the prospect of realizing these ideals, is founded.
Estonia values highly the role of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in spreading the message of peace and love across the world. We also have had the honour to host the Holy Father in Estonia. Many Estonians still have most fond memories of this visit, which took place in 1993. We were deeply moved by the Holy Father`s kind attention paid to and concern shown for our home country, which had just recently restored its independence, and which one of his remote predecessors long ago had given the name Terra Mariana or St. Mary's Land.
Also in the new millennium, the message of peace and love is just as relevant and welcome as in the previous one, and as it will be ever and ever again. Estonia supports the principles of The Decalogue of Assisi for Peace, sent by His Holiness to the world's heads of state and government, and the wishes expressed in the Holy Father's address "Urbi et Orbi".
Let us hope that the leaders of the world community will lend an ear to his requests and will do their utmost to stop conflicts sowing destruction.
Honourable Archbishop,
Thank you for the greetings and cordial words conveyed from the Holy Father. I am confident that a fruitful long-term co-operation will continue to develop between Estonia and the Holy See.
I wish you every success in your mission to promote the relations between the Holy See and Estonia.
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