We refer to the statement issued in the Press by the Band Clubs Association where it was stated that the Association suspended the agreement reached with the Curia in December 2011.

The Curia wishes to bring to mind two general principles.  First, any agreement reached and signed by two parties should be respected by both parties.  Secondly, this particular agreement was made between two parties; therefore it can only be changed through another agreement between the two.  Therefore, the present agreement remains valid until both parties reach a new agreement.

With respect to the statement issued by the Band Clubs Association wherein they stated that the permits involving band clubs should be regulated only by the civil authorities,  there is nothing mentioned in the agreement which goes against this principle.

In spite of this, the Curia accepted to enter into discussions with the Band Clubs Association in order to assess any difficulties which may have emerged from this agreement.  A meeting between both parties was already scheduled prior to the issue of this statement by the Association. We wish to bring to mind that every effort is being made in order that we may enjoy both the cultural and civil aspects of Religious Feasts and that the atmosphere surrounding these celebrations may be orderly and clean.