Deputy FM Ayalon will leave tomorrow on an official visit to the Vatican,
Italy and France. The aim of the visit is an appeal for additional European
sanctions on Iran
(Communicated by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon's Bureau)13 Jun 2010

Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon will leave tomorrow (Monday, 14 June 2010) on
an official visit to the Vatican, Italy and France. DFM Ayalon will continue
the economic-fiscal negotiations with the Vatican. On his official visits to
France and Italy, DFM 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, DFM 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, DFM Ayalon 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, DFM 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, DFM Ayalon will emphasize
the urgency of national sanctions, especially in light of the international
legitimacy from the UN. DFM Ayalon is expected to express appreciation and
esteem for Italy's staunch support of Israel.

On Thursday 17 June, DFM 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. DFM Ayalon will praise France's determined
and consistent position regarding the Iranian nuclear program, and French
activities aimed at preventing its implementation.

DFM Ayalon will return to Israel on Friday, 18 June.