DECLARATION ON VISIT OF CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 2000 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today made the following declaration:

"The Holy Father today received Felipe Perez Roque, the foreign minister of Cuba. Later, the minister also met with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"The meetings provided an opportunity to evaluate the development of Church-State relations in Cuba.

"On this subject, the minister emphasized his government's willingness to support mutual and harmonious collaboration.

"For its part, the Holy See expressed its hope for ever greater religious liberty, in accordance with declarations made by the Holy Father during his historic visit of January 1998.

"The convergence of views regarding the international political situation was also noted, as was the need for greater solidarity in support of the poorest countries."

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