Syrian- Turkish economic committee discuss boosting cooperation

Meetings of the 5th session of the Syrian- Turkish joint committee chaired by the Syrian minister of the economy and foreign trade Muhammad al-Imadi and the Turkish minister of state Rajab Onal started its deliberations on Wednesday.

In Ankara, in an inaugural speech, the minister of the economy Muhammad al-Imadi stressed Syria's desire to develop relations with Turkey, noting the common and varied interests linking the two countries. Al-Imadi continued that the positive atmosphere emerged from the meeting of the joint economic committee during the past few years had contributed to the development of the trade relations especially in the area of exporting the Turkish products through Syria to other states.

The Minister also gave a detailed explanation on the overall trade, social and economic modernization processes carried out in Syria.

Onal, for his part noted the special interests given by Turkey to the development and strengthening of bilateral relations, noting that the decisions to be taken by the joint committee will contribute to strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries at the short and medium run.

The joint economic committee will discuss in its meetings economic relations as well as measures to be taken to eliminate hindering obstacles and increasing the volume of trade exchange. The two sides will also discuss agreements on encouraging and protecting investments, cultural cooperation, and avoiding double taxation as well as borders trade, the free zones, land, sea and air transport, the railways, crude oil, natural gas, electricity, industry, commerce, tourism, health, culture and information. The committee's meeting was attended by Syria's ambassador in Ankara and the Turkish ambassador in Damascus.

On Tuesday, al-Imadi and Onal signed an agreement to found the Syrian- Turkish joint businessmen council.