Diplomacy working for Israel and Holy See

The previously scheduled plenary meeting of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel concluded yesterday at the seat of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A joint press statement issued at the end of the session said the meeting had “the purpose of advancing the negotiations pursuant to Article 10 § 2 of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel” signed in far off December 1993.

The delegation of the Holy See was led by the Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Pietro Parolin, and the Israeli delegation was led on this occasion by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Aaron Abramovich. Among other things, the Communiqué affirms that the "delegations met in an atmosphere of cordiality, mutual understanding and good will", and indicates that the negotiations will continue. “The two delegations", it says, "expressed their determination to accelerate their work in order to achieve further advances in the coming months and to conclude the Agreement as soon as possible". The Plenary itself, the Communiqué declares, will meet next in May 2008, at the Vatican.

Before yesterday’s Plenary session negotiations where held between the Holy See and the State of Israel on 12 December. Another official Joint Communique' announced the delegations met "to continue negotiations on the 'Economic Agreement' concerning fiscal and property matters”.

Arieh Cohen writes for Asia News.