Current world events urge Arabs to activate common action

Secretary General of the Arab economic Unity Council Ahmed Goweili said the political factors, the Middle East instability and the Palestinian issue are among the causes which impede the establishment of unified Arab economic system.

Addressing the opening session of the Arab economic integration conference between hope and reality, Goweili stressed that peace and stability are key conditions for Arab economic integration.

He underlined the necessity of setting up a network for the Arab economic interests in order to realize the Arab and economic integration as the current world's events urge Arabs to activate inter-common action.

On the other hand, Gamal Mubarak, member of the secretariat of the ruling National Democratic Party, highlighted the necessity of benefiting from the experience of international economic blocs such as the European Union to realize economic integration.

"We, Arabs, should surmount sensitivities to realize Arab economic integration," said Gamal, adding that there should be a futuristic vision in this respect.

"Following September 11th events in the US , thinking and priorities in the west started to change and this would have its impact on the Arab region, and so efforts should be doubled to explain these conditions at home and to stop from taking this as a pretext for lagging behind," Gamal added.

This came during the closing session of the conference organized by the Egyptian Centre for Economic Studies.