Najib on working visit to Rome

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is making a two-day working visit to Rome from today.

His programme includes an audience with Pope Benedict XVI and a meeting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State (equivalent to a head of government), at Castel Gandolfo, Rome.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said he would be accompanied by wife Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Koh Tsu Koon.

Other members of his entourage are Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

They will be joined by National Fatwa Council chairperson Abdul Shukor Husin and Archbishop Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam.

This will be the second meeting between a Malaysian prime minister and the Pope, after the one involving former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pope John Paul in June 2002.

During the visit to Rome, Najib would take the opportunity to talk about Malaysia's initiative on the Global Movement of the Moderates.

Looking at possible avenues to enhance cooperation between Malaysia and the Holy See is also on the agenda, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Najib concluded his official visit to the United Kingdom on Friday.

- Bernama