GERMANY'S FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED BY HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2003 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office made the following statement early this afternoon about the visit today to the Vatican by Joschka Fischer, foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Germany:

"Today, February 7, Joschka Fischer, minister of foreign affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, was received by Pope John Paul II and, afterwards, met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, accompanied by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"The visit by Minister Fischer was a propitious occasion for an exchange of opinions on the problems of the present moment and, especially, on the noted crisis in Iraq and on the theme of the future European constitutional treaty.

"Concerning the Middle East: The Holy See's position, expressed in numerous documents and interventions, in favor of peace and solutions that respect international rights, was reiterated to the illustrious guest. What was also underlined was the responsibility of all parties involved to avoid that a tragic conflict arise.

"Then, on the question of the future European constitutional treaty, the Holy See pointed out how the values and elements already inserted into the project - published yesterday and relative to the first three chapters of the treaty - are fundamental values for the life of the (European) Union. In this regard surprise was expressed because the juridical statute of the Church and of religious communities was ignored. And finally, the hope was expressed that the current project will be perfected and the voids filled."

OP;FOREIGN MINISTER;...;GERMANY; FISCHER;VIS;20030207;Word: 270;