Brussels, 01/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President Romano Prodi has sent a message of congratulations to the new Israeli President Moshe Katzav, noting that his election comes at a crucial juncture in the peace process, to which the EU is deeply attached. "Your Presidency will play a vital role in this context, Mr. Prodi states, stressing that Israel and the European Union "are connected by a strong network of agreements and links that will continue to develop in the future".
Moshe Katzav, Right opposition candidate, was elected by the Knesset on 31 July, with 63 votes to the Labour candidate Shimon Peres' 57.