Egypt - Vatican to promote their distinguished relations

Terming as "distinguished" Egypt - Vatican relations, Egyptian ambassador to the Vatican Farouk Hussein Ra'fat said that President Hosni Mubarak would hold important talks in the Vatican on Tuesday that would add new dimension to bilateral relations.

In an exclusive interview with radio Cairo broadcast Sunday morning, he praised the Vatican's role in support for the Palestinian cause and for bringing about overall and permanent peace in the Middle East based on the international legitimacy resolutions. Due to its spiritual value, the Vatican has a weight at international level in spite of being a small country, he added.

"President Mubarak's visit to the Vatican falls within exchanged visits," he said.

The President visited the Vatican few times and Pope John PaulII visited Egypt in February last year, he added.

"This visit aims at exchanging viewpoints on issues of joint interest either at regional or international levels," he said.

The Egyptian ambassador said that the visit expressed mutual appreciation for the roles played by Egypt and the Vatican on international arenas and their contributions to achieve peace and stability.

'The Vatican stance as regards the Palestinian issue is clear and firm,' he said.

The Vatican supports the Palestinian people's legitimate rights and the establishment of a Palestinian state, he added.

"The Vatican stance on Jerusalem emanates from its determination to preserve and protect the freedom of Christian, Islamic and jewfish holy places," he said.

This stance has not changed and aims at providing freedom of access to worshipping holy places, he added.

Ambassador Rafat said President Mubarak is keen on promoting "Euro-Mediterranean relations," underlining the importance of the European role in activating the peace process.

"Egypt's geographical position in the Mediterranean basin enables it to enjoy a considerable weight," he said.

"President Mubarak is held in high esteem in this region," he said adding that he is also appreciated for his important and major role in preserving rights and bringing about peace and justice in this region, he added.