INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE SHOULD BE IMPROVED

Following the two-day official visit to Italy, Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis went to the Vatican and met with Dominique Francois Joseph Mamberti, the Secretary for Relations with States of the Vatican.

During the meeting, indicating that Muslim countries were carefully observing Turkey's EU membership process, Bagis said, "The messages that the Vatican will give to the 1.5 billion Muslim population and people who feel themselves as excluded in the world are as important as Turkey's EU membership. Religions should not be exploited. We are of the opinion that inter-religious dialogue and communication should be improved."

Taking into consideration to visit to be paid by the Catholic Church leader Pope Benedictus XVI to Cyprus on Friday, Minister for EU Affairs and the Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis discussed in detail the developments on Cyprus issue and the process before and after the Kofi Annan's Plan. He also noted that TRNC had always supported the peace and resolution in island.

In the meeting, the recent Israeli attack on the Turkish ship "Mavi Marmara" was also discussed. Bagis defined this attack as "state terrorism". Mamberti said that they also condemned this attack and viewed with regret.

Source: AA