Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon will leaves on Monday for on an official visit to the Vatican, Italy and France. The aim of the visit is an appeal for additional European sanctions on Iran, Foreign Ministry officials explain.

Ayalon will continue the economic-fiscal negotiations with the Vatican. On his official visits to France and Italy, Ayalon will appeal to the leaders of those countries to apply sanctions on Iran in accordance with the spirit of the UN Security Council resolution, and to impose additional European sanctions on Iran.

On Tuesday 15 June, the Israel-Vatican Working Commission will convene under the leadership of the two delegation heads: Deputy FM Ayalon and his counterpart, Vatican Undersecretary for Relations with States Mdgr.Ettore Balestero. Bilateral issues will be discussed In addition to the economic negotiations.

During his official visits to Rome and Paris, Ayalon will meet with coalition and opposition members, members of government, and members of parliament, including members of the foreign and security committees that discuss resolutions of national sanctions. In addition, the deputy minister will hold briefings for the local media. Deputy FM Ayalon is also expected to praise the two countries’ consistent and determined position on the Iranian nuclear issue and their various activities aimed at aborting the program, and to appeal for the implementation of national and European sanctions.

In Rome, Ayalon will meet with his counterpart, Secretary of State Stefania Gabriella Anastasia Craxi and with the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Gianfranco Fini.  He will also meet with leaders of the Jewish community in Italy. During his meetings, Ayalon will emphasize the urgency of national sanctions, especially in light of the international legitimacy from the UN. Ayalon is expected to express appreciation and esteem for Italy’s staunch support of Israel.

On Thursday 17 June, Ayalon will meet in Paris with Secretary of State for European Affairs, Pierre Lellouche, with the president of the Foreign Committee of the National Assembly and participate in a meeting with members of the Foreign Committee of the National Assembly, and members of the France-Israel friendship group. The deputy minister will praise France’s determined and consistent position regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and French activities aimed at preventing its implementation.

Ayalon will return to Israel on Friday, 18 June.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)