Moussa after meeting with al-Sharaa: Today's meetings very important
Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa confirmed that the meetings of Arab foreign ministers which begin today at Arab League headquarters are very important, expressing his hope that they can take advantage of consultations between the participants to reach the best positions.
Following his meeting yesterday evening with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, Moussa said in press statements that they tackled the Iraqi crisis and other Arab issues, adding that there will be consultations on convening the meetings of the follow-up committee concerning the Iraqi crisis.
Concerning relations between the two states, Moussa said there is an increase in the amount of trade and investment between the two states, thus the power grid linkage project in Jordan is a stable and strong measure which is linking Syria then Egypt and North African countries.
Al-Sharaa expressed his hope that the meeting today would succeed, adding that he discussed with Moussa the subjects concerning the peace process and the Iraqi crisis.
He also stated that the Iraqi follow-up committee should continue its consultations to achieve its basic aim of lifting the siege on Iraq.
Earlier, Al-Sharaa said in an arrival statement to Cairo that the Arab FMs will "discuss means and ways to improve the conditions of the joint Arab action and to find a common ground for the Arab position." He added that the AL ministers will discuss the challenges faced by the Arab states especially the difficulties facing the Middle East peace process and the situations in the Arab Gulf and Iraq. The Syrian FM stressed that Syria has always sought by all means to better Arab conditions for joint Arab action. He added, "It is difficult to ease the sufferings of the Iraqi people apart from the Arab League and Arab solidarity." The Syrian FM concluded by saying that he will discuss with his Egyptian counterpart Amr Moussa ways to coordinate the Syrian and Egyptian positions in a way to serve common Arab interests and objectives.