Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and
Pope Benedict XVI have voiced satisfaction with the level of relations existing
between the State of Vatican and Russia, the press service of the Holy See said
in a communique Thursday upon the results of a meeting between Medvedev and
Benedict XVI.
"In the course of a highly cordial discussion that President Medvedev had
with the Pope and later on with the Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the sides
expressed their satisfaction with the current level of bilateral relationship
and expressed the willingness to develop them further, including with the aid of
diplomatic relations," the communique said.
"Both sides stressed the importance fo broad cooperation between the Holy See
and the Russian Federation in the defense and promotion of general human values,
as well as in the cultural and social spheres," it said, adding that Medvedev
and his hosts in the Vatican had pointed out the significance of inter-religious
dialogue for society.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attended Medvedev's talks with
Tarcisio Bertone and Foreign Secretary Dominique Mamberti where they raised
issues from the international agenda.
"In part, they looked at the situation in the Middle East," the communique
said.