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» 04/23/2009 15:19
VATICAN - ISRAEL
“Meaningful progress” in bilateral talks between the Holy See and Israel
by Arieh Cohen
After meeting today, the bilateral commission issued an upbeat press release. Talks between the two sides have been ongoing since 1999. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 30 April in Israel, just before the Pope’s visit. Mgr Pietro Parolin and Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon will be present.

Tel Aviv (AsiaNews) – A meeting took place today in Israel of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel, which is currently negotiating (since 11 March 1999) a bilateral treaty on fiscal and property questions.

At the end of the meeting, which was held at an undisclosed location, the delegations published a joint communiqué, which spoke of "meaningful progress" having been achieved "by receiving a Report from a Working Group". For the rest, the communiqué reiterated the assurances that the talks were held in a climate of "great cordiality" and that both parties are committed to the goal concluding the comprehensive agreement "as soon as possible".

The communiqué also announces a plenary meeting, at Israel's Foreign Ministry, for 30 April. Under the commission's rules, the plenary is co-chaired by the respective  "deputy foreign ministers", at present, for the Holy See, the  Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Pietro Parolin, and for the State of Israel, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Danny Ayalon (a former Ambassador to the US). Apparently this is the plenary that a December 2008 communiqué had scheduled for the 23rd.  This is only one of several changes to the calendar announced last December, which foresaw too meetings in March, on the 5th and on the 26th, neither of which appears to have taken place. That, combined with the rumours (never confirmed) of a meeting  supposed to have taken place during Holy Week, perhaps 7 April, (though without previous announcement or concluding communiqué), caused some speculation among observers  speculation about the direction of the negotiations.

However, today's upbeat, hopeful communiqué has laid to rest those worries, at least for the moment. It is widely known, of course, that these are, by their very nature, very tough, very complex negotiations, and that it must take some more time before they can conclude with the desired agreement.

Is the Agreement possible? To this question everyone today appears to be responding affirmatively, and the new joint communiqué appears to nod its assent.


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See also
02/19/2009 ISRAEL - VATICAN
Hope for a conclusion in Holy See-Israel talks before Pope's arrival in Holy Land
by Arieh Cohen
05/17/2007 VATICAN - ISRAEL
Holy See and Israel to hold plenary meeting on May 21
by Arieh Cohen
03/27/2007 VATICAN - ISRAEL
Israeli Delegation will not keep appointment at the Vatican
by Arieh Cohen
03/17/2006 israel - vatican
Israel's war against the hospice of the Daughters of Charity continues
by Arieh Cohen
06/08/2009 ISRAEL - VATICAN
Ministry for Finance seizes Church funds. Holy See-Israeli negotiations at stake
by Arieh Cohen

Editor's choices
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What is the true good of the Church in China
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Msgr. Savio Hon: Freedom for arrested bishops and priests, is also good for China
by Bernardo CervelleraEven if the government does not give answers or to the Holy See, or diplomats, or to friends of the Vatican and China, it is important that "no one forgets about them." The Chinese government's official response when asked is always: "We do not know." "We need to pray first," "but we must also appeal to those who are holding them."
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Appeal: Bishops and priests disappeared or in prison, home for the Chinese New Year
by Bernardo CervelleraDuring the Year of the Dragon, AsiaNews asks President Hu Jintao and ambassador Ding Wei for the release of three bishops and six Chinese priests who have disappeared in police custody or are in forced labour camps.

Dossier

Books
Augusto Colombo. Apostolo dei paria
di Piero Gheddo
pp. 320

Matteo Ricci: missione e ragione. Una biografia intellettuale
di Gianni Criveller
pp. 132

Bioetica religioni missioni
di Buono Giuseppe, Pelosi Patrizia
pp. 432

Matteo Ricci e Giulio Aleni, due vite incrociate
di Giulio Aleni / (a cura di) Gianni Criveller
pp. 176

Missione Bengala
155 anni del Pime in India e Bangladesh EMI 
di Piero Gheddo
pp. 480

La Cina di Mao processa la Chiesa
di Angelo S.Lazzarotto
pp. 528


Il rovescio delle medaglie
di Bernardo Cervellera
pp. 240


Il Vescovo partigiano
EMI 2007 pp. 448
di Piero Gheddo


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