Vatican-Israel Bilateral Permanent Working Commission meet

(June 15, 2011) The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel met on Tuesday at the Plenary level, in Vatican’s Apostolic Palace to carry forward negotiations on the Fundamental Agreement (Art 10 paragraph 2,) dealing with economic and fiscal matters, said a joint communiqué issued by the parties. It said Vatican’s delegation was headed by Mgr. Ettore Balestrero, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, and the delegation of Israel’s State was led by Danny Ayalon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The communiqué also said that negotiations took place in an open, friendly and constructive atmosphere and very significant progress was made. It added the Parties have agreed on the next steps towards the conclusion of the Agreement, and to hold the next Plenary meeting on 1st December 2011 at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.