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Vietnam, Vatican moving toward diplomatic relations? (Subscribe to RSS Feed) 
Rome, May. 5, 2008 (CWNews.com) -
A Vatican delegation is expected in the “near future” in Vietnam for a visit that might lead to the establishment of diplomatic relations, the AsiaNews service reports. Diplomatic relations would benefit both Vietnam-- a country that is opening up to the world-- and the Holy See, which could address issues like religious freedom and fundamental human rights.
Since 1989, Vatican delegations have visited Vietnam regularly for informal talks, making a total of 14 trips to the Asian country over the years. The talks have produced some concessions from Hanoi, with the government easing restraints on the appointment of bishops and the enrollments in Vietnamese seminaries. The process appeared to accelerate in 2007 with a visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news).
[For a more detailed report see the AsiaNews web site.]
Glossary Terms: Vietnam
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