Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - The permanent bilateral working commission between the Holy See and the state of Israel met yesterday for the first time since December 16.  Talks began at 9 a.m. and were adjourned at 11:30 a.m. No official statement was released, thus the meeting's agenda was not disclosed.

While AsiaNews learned that talks took place, no official statement on the contents of the meeting was released. The delegations set new dates for three further meetings in March and April.

The Vatican and Israeli delegations had resumed talks last July to bring into full effect the 1993 bilateral Fundamental Agreement which called for the drafting of further agreements on the Church's legal status in the state of Israel, a matter that has remained in abeyance for over 11 years. The main issues still to be settled are questions related to tax exemptions for Church property and Church access to Israeli courts.