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The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel met today, 29 January 2013, in Jerusalem, at the Plenary level, to continue negotiations pursuant to the Fundamental Agreement Art. 10 paragraph 2.
The meeting was headed by Mr. Daniel AYALON, M.K., Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and by Msgr. Ettore BALESTRERO, Under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States.
The Holy See’s delegation thanked Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon for his contribution to the negotiations and wished him success in his new endeavors.
The negotiations took place in a thoughtful and constructive atmosphere. The Commission took notice that significant progress was made and looks forward to a speedy conclusion of the Agreement.
The Parties have agreed on future steps and to hold the next Plenary meeting in June 2013 at Vatican City.
Delegation of the Holy See:
Msgr. Ettore BALESTRERO, Under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States
H.E. Arch. Antonio FRANCO, Apostolic Nuncio, Co-Chairman of the Working Level of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission
H.E. Arch. Giuseppe LAZZAROTTO, Apostolic Nuncio in Israel
H.E. Bishop Giacinto-Boulos MARCUZZO, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel
Msgr. Maurizio MALVESTITI, Under-Secretary of the Congregation for Oriental Churches
Msgr. Alberto ORTEGA MARTÍN, Official of the Secretariat of State
Msgr. Waldemar Stanislaw SOMMERTAG, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature
Mr. Henry AMOROSO, Principal Legal Adviser
Mr. Samir ABU-NASSAR, C.P.A., Financial Adviser
Archimandrite Maher ABBOUD, Vicar General Greek-Melkite Archeparchy of Akko
Fr. Elias DAW, President of the Tribunal Greek-Melkite Church in Israel
Fr. Pietro FELET, S.C.J., Secretary General of the A.O.C.T.S.
Fr. Ibrahim FALTAS, O.F.M., Custody of the Holy Land
Sr. Naomi ZIMMERMANN, F.S.E., Secretary
Delegation of the State of Israel:
Mr. Daniel AYALON, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Zion EVRONY, Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Holy See
Mr. Ehud KEINAN, Deputy Director General, Legal Division (MFA), Co-Chairman of the Working Level of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission
Mr. Shmuel BEN SHMUEL, Head of the World Jewish and Inter-Religious Affairs Bureau (MFA)
Mr. Bahij MANSOUR, Director of the Inter-Religious Affairs Department (MFA)
Mr. Moshe GOLAN, Senior Deputy State’s Attorney responsible for Civil Law Matter, Ministry of Justice
Mr. Itai APTER, Department for International Agreements, Ministry of Justice
Ms. Karin DOSORETZ, General International Law Department, Legal Division (MFA)
Mr. Gershon KEDAR, Policy Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ms. Michal PASOVSKY, Department for International Agreements, Ministry of Justice
