Joint Lebanon-Syria meeting yeilds trade deals
Lebanon-Syria, Economics, 8/20/1997

After the joint Lebanon-Syria meeting held in Damascus and headed by Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri and his Syrian counterpart Mahmoud Zoghbi, Hariri came back to Beirut satisfied with the results of his trip, which seems to have had positive effects in the relations between the two countries.

Hariri arrived at Beirut at 11:30 p.m. after his visit to Syria, where he participated in discussions about economic issues between the Lebanese and Syrian governments, which led to an agreement to enhance economic relations between Lebanon and Syria.

A cooperation treaty was signed between the two countries four years ago, but this agreement is the first of its kind. A plan is going to be established in order to encourage cooperation in the industrial, agricultural, commercial, electricity, and transportation sectors.

Zoghbi insisted on the importance of economic cooperation between Lebanon and Syria: "It should be enhanced in order to reach the level of political relations between the two countries," he said.

"We discussed the ways to reinforce the exchange of trade, and we plan to make sure that the Lebanese products will be considered as Syrian products in the Syrian markets. We also discussed future issues that we will give details about as soon as possible," added Hariri. The two sides agreed to freely exchange domestic, industrial and agricultural products, and to exchange expertise concerning the facilitation of administrative measures.

The Syrian government agreed to supply Lebanon with a 50 MW electric grid to Anjar station.

After the discussions about economic issues, Hariri brought up the problem of South Lebanon and Israeli attacks on Sidon. "Despite the tension that reigns in the region, it seems that things are about to settle down," he said.

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