DECLARATION ON AUDIENCE WITH FOREIGN MINISTER OF SPAIN

VATICAN CITY, SEP 21, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls issued the following declaration yesterday afternoon:

"Today, Thursday, September 20, 2001, the Holy Father received in audience Josep Pique I Camps, foreign minister of Spain, who then met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state.

"The meetings offered the occasion for an ample exchange of views on the current international situation, especially concerning interreligious dialogue and the battle against terrorism.

"Also amply discussed were the most important aspects regarding Church-State relations, in particular the collaboration necessary for the important themes of the family, school, and the teaching of the Catholic religion in the public schools, emphasizing the validity of cooperation ensured by the accords between the Holy See and the Spanish State of 1979."

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