Holy See, Israel release joint statement on diplomatic negotiations

(Vatican Radio)  The Holy See and the State of Israel has released a joint communique, detailing the progress made by the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission on Tuesday.

The Commission met on 13 June in a Plenary Session "to continue negotiations pursuant to the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel of 1993, Art. 10 paragraph 2."

The communique says participants were "pleased with the progress accomplished at the working level regarding the negotiations, and the cordial atmosphere in which the meetings took place."

It also expresses the Plenary's hopes "for a rapid conclusion of ongoing negotiations and the signing of the document."

The official English-language translation of the joint communique is below:

The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel met today, 13th June 2017, in Vatican City, at the Plenary level, to continue negotiations pursuant to the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel of 1993, Art. 10 paragraph 2.

The meeting was headed by Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, Undersecretary for the Holy See's Relations with States, and by Mr. Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister for Regional Cooperation of the State of Israel.

The Plenary was pleased with the progress accomplished at the working level regarding the negotiations, and the cordial atmosphere in which the meetings took place. The outcomes of today’s Plenary give hope for a rapid conclusion of ongoing negotiations and the signing of the document. The Plenary further acknowledges the collaborative efforts of both sides for the implementation of the 1997 Bilateral Legal Personality Agreement.

Delegation of the Holy See:
Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, Undersecretary for Relations with the States of the Holy See, Head of Delegation;
H.E. Arch. Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Apostolic Nuncio in Israel;
H.E. Arch. Antonio Franco, Apostolic Nuncio;
Fr. Oscar Marzo, O.F.M., Office of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches of the Holy See;
Msgr. Ionut Paul Strejac, Desk officer, Secretary of State of the Holy See;
Mr. Henry Amoroso, Principal Legal Adviser;
Fr. Jacek Jasztak, O.F.M., Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land;
Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, O.F.M., Custody of the Holy Land;
Sr. Kathy Zimmermann, F.S.E., Secretary of the Delegation

Delegation of the State of Israel:
Mr. Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister for Regional Cooperation;
H.E. Oren David, Ambassador of Israel to the Holy See;
Mrs. Emi Palmor, Director General (MOJ);
Mr. Ehud Keinan, External Advisor, Co-Chairman of the Working Level of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission;
Mr. Akiva Tor, Head of World Jewish and World Religions Affairs Bureau (MFA);
Dr. Joseph Draznin, Advisor for the Minister for Regional Cooperation;
Mrs. Sharon Regev, Director of the World Religions Affairs Department (MFA);
Mrs. Tamar Kaplan, Principal Deputy Legal Advisor and Director of the Diplomatic and Civil Law Department (MFA);
Mr. Itai Apter, Director, International Civil Affairs, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (International Law) (MOJ);
Mr. Reuven Eidelman, Diplomatic and Civil Law Department (MOJ);
Mr. Moshe Golan, External Advisor;
Mr. Amir Haran, Senior Advisor to the Director General (MOJ);
Mrs. Dorit Shimon, Advisor for the Minister for Regional Cooperation.