DECLARATION ON VISIT OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2001 (VIS) - The following declaration was made this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on the visit to the Holy Father by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov:

"This morning, the Holy Father received in audience Igor Sergheevich Ivanov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality.

"Following the papal audience, Mr. Ivanov met Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"In the course of the meeting, bilateral themes were considered, with particular attention given to the life of Catholic communities in the Russian Federation.

"Opinions were also exchanged concerning the international situation, and there was a convergence between the Holy See and the Russian Federation on many points, particularly regarding the complex situation in the Middle East. This exchange of points of view also provided an opportunity to explain the Holy See's well-known position on Jerusalem."

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