HOLY FATHER WELCOMES PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, made the following declaration about the audiences granted today to Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, by Pope John Paul, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States:

"The talks regarded the priorities of the European Union, in particular the process of reform of the Union Treaties, and its being broadened to include new members.

"At the same time, the contribution that Churches in Europe can offer was underlined, as was the need for a suitable juridical recognition of them, within the arrangement of the Union.

"Lastly, the commitment of the European Union in the fight against terrorism and the search for a just peace in the Middle East was discussed."

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