JOHN PAUL II MEETS WITH PRESIDENT MUBARAK

VATICAN CITY, FEB 20, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the declaration made this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls concerning today's meeting in the Vatican between John Paul II and the president of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak:

"The discussion permitted an exchange of opinions on the situation in the Middle Eastern regions, and, in particular, on the peace process, with the hope that as soon as possible a climate of eased tensions and of dialogue is established, necessary for restoring mutual faith and making the goals, reached up until now, bear fruit.

"The Holy See, furthermore, repeated the need for the immediate end to every form of violence in the region, in order to dedicate every possible attention and effort to the achievement of a true and just peace, which can only be realized through respect for international law on the part of all and in the conviction that the peoples have the same rights and duties."

OP;MEETING MUBARAK;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010220;Word: 180;