Saturday, January 28, 2012

Israel and the Vatican continue negotiations, next meeting on 11 June 2012

The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the State of Israel and the Holy See held a plenary meeting yesterday hosted by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to carry on negotiations pursuant to Article 10, paragraph 2, of the Fundamental Agreement, dealing with economic and fiscal matters.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Ayalon, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mgr Ettore Balestrero, under-secretary for Relations with States.

A joint communiqué states that the negotiations took place in an open, friendly and constructive atmosphere. Substantive progress was made on issues of significance.

The parties have agreed on the next steps towards the conclusion of the Agreement, and will hold the next plenary meeting on 11 June 2012 at the Vatican.

The negotiations begun on 11 March 1999 and are required by the 1993 Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel.