~a repost from Vatican Radio

(23 Apr 09 – RV) On Thursday 23 April, in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the signing took place of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariat of State and the League of Arab States.

It was signed for the Secretariat of State by the Most Reverend Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States, and for the League of Arab States by His Excellency Mr Amre Moussa, Secretary-General.

The following were present at the solemn act:

from the Holy See: His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State; Monsignor Fortunatus Nwachukwu; Monsignor Alberto Ortega; Monsignor Christophe El-Kassis; Monsignor Nicolas Thevenin; Monsignor Lech Piechota.

from the League of Arab States: His Excellency Mr Walid Al Gargani, Head of the Arab League’s Mission to the Holy See; Mr El Fateh El Naciry, head of the Department for Europe and Euro-Arab Affairs; Ms Dina Douay, Desk Officer for Europe in the Secretary-General’s Cabinet. Also present were the Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See from some member countries of the League of Arab States.

The above-mentioned Agreement further consolidates the bonds of co-operation that exist between the Holy See and the League of Arab States, especially on the political and cultural levels, in favour of peace, security, and regional and international stability. Moreover, it proposes instruments of consultation between the two Parties, giving attention also to initiatives of inter-religious dialogue.

The Agreement came into force with the signature of the two Parties.