Syria, Lebanon sign meeting minutes

Syria and Lebanon on Monday stressed the strong and concrete cooperation and coordination between both states "in the face of different challenges which try to affect their national stances."

Wrapping up meetings of the Syrian-Lebanese Social and Economic Committee, Syrian Premier Naji Otari and his Lebanese counterpart Omar Karami signed the joint minutes of the meetings in the presence of Syrian and Lebanese delegates.

The minutes included aspects of bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in the economic and trade fields, exchanging products, holding exhibitions and free trade zones, insurance, oil, gas and electricity.

Both sides agreed that each country exempts citizens of the other country from all fees and duties which have been generally charged at the border points.

The Syrian side decided to decrease fees paid by a number of Lebanese merchants who deposited their imported cars at Lattakia and Tartous ports to be later exported to Iraq by 50%.

Syrian and Lebanese sides signed a Memo Of Understanding on cooperation in the field of exhibitions and international markets, another agreement on establishing a joint company for tobacco industry and the articles of association of "Phoenicia for Aviation" Company.