EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS
ADDRESSES SITUATION IN KOSOVO

ECRL Meets in Berlin(BERLIN, 5 March 2008)–The morning session of the last day of the Religions for Peace European Council of Religious Leaders' meeting was dedicated to the situation in Kosovo. Representatives from the religious communities in Kosovo participated and shared their views on the current situation. They were supported in their work by The V. Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Moderator of Religions for Peace.

ECRL’s Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett underlined in his opening address that the different religious communities being present together with the European Council of Religious Leaders represents a spirit of hope for peace and prosperity in Kosovo.

From the Islamic Community, Dr. Qemail Morina, vice dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies emphasised in his address that interreligious cooperation is important for the present and future of Kosovo. The interreligious dialogue must be intensified, he stated.

From the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archpriest-Stavrophor Milan Pejic stated in his address the position of the Serbian minority. Even though they do not accept the Declaration of Independence they wish to seek to build bridges between the parties.

From the Roman Catholic Church, Don Lush Gjergji, head of delegation underscored that the Roman Catholic Church wishes to see justice served for all people of Kosovo regardless of political views and religious belonging. The Roman Catholic Church wishes to accompany any dialogue between the parties in the current conflict in Kosovo. A solution of the conflict has to be beneficial for all parties in order to be sustainable, he added.

ECRL’s Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett concluded the session on Kosovo by saying that he has great hope for the future of Kosovo. He thanked the delegation from Kosovo for their honest contributions and offered continued support from ECRL.

The ECRL emphasised that Kosovo must find a way to live in peace, and encouraged the religious communities to contribute in this matter and to take part in further interreligious dialogue.

Concluding the council meeting ECRL issued a statement on the main themes discussed in the meeting. [See attachment below.]

ECRL also formulated a Berlin Declaration on Interreligious Dialogue, which offers a principle understanding of the nature of interreligious dialogue. [See attachment below.]