Tel Aviv (AsiaNews) - In an unusual step, the Heads of the Delegations of the Holy See and of the State of Israel to the negotiatoins on the fiscal security of the Church in Israel and the safeguarding of Church property, above all the Holy Places, have issued a joint communiqué' that does not follow a particular meeting of the negotiating teams.
The statement issued yesterday is the following:
"The Co-Chairmen of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel have agreed on changes to the previously announced schedule of meeetings: The next Plenary meeting will take place on 15 June, in the Vatican, and will be preceded by Working-Level meetings now to be scheduled.
A source close to the negotiations has told AsiaNews that the Communique' has been issued specifically so that the changes in the previously announced dates will not be interpreted as resulting from any particularly problem. In this case, the source has assured AsiaNews, the modified schedule for the next few months is simply the result of a wish to accommodate the "logistical needs" of both sides, as well as to "maximise" the benefit from holding each particular session". Previously, the plenary was set for May 27 this year.