In preparation for the upcoming Arab Summit, the meeting of the Economic and Social Council at the ministerial level starts with the participation of Syria

Jeddah (ST): As part of the preparatory meetings for the upcoming Arab Summit, the meeting of the Economic and Social Council at the ministerial level began with the participation of a delegation from Syria headed by the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Muhammad Samer Al-Khalil.

At the beginning of the preparatory meeting, the presidency of the meeting was handed over from the Algerian side, which had chaired the previous summit meeting, to the Saudi side that is responsible for chairing the current summit.

Algerian Minister of Trade and Export Promotion Tayeb Zitouni said in a speech during the meeting: We welcome the Syrian delegation and congratulate Syria for resuming its activity in the meetings of the Arab League institutions.

In turn, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan expressed keenness on enhancing joint action to implement the decisions that will be issued at the summit, which will reflect positively on Arab countries and peoples.

Assistant Secretary General at the League of Arab States, Hossam Zaki, on behalf of all members of the Arab League, welcomed Syria’s return and the participation of its delegation in the summit’s meetings. He said that the General Secretariat will coordinate with the Syrian delegation and inform it about all developments in joint Arab action.

UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al-Marri affirmed UAE’s full support for the efforts aiming at strengthening joint Arab action in order to boost cooperation in various economic and social fields.

In the same context, Palestinian Minister of Economy Khaled Al-Osaily appealed to the League countries to continue providing support to the Palestinian people who adhere to their land and their legitimate national rights.

According to the statements of the League, the Arab Economic and Social Council is discussing ways to enhance joint Arab action to achieve sustainable development, and other social and economic issues of concern to Arab countries.

The Syrian delegation comprises, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohhamad Samer Al-Khalil, Assistant Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade for International Affairs Rania Ahmed, Director of International Relations Anas Al-Bikai, Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyad Abbas, Permanent Representative to the Arab League Basil Scotti, and Ihsan Al-Rumman from the Foreign Minister’s Office, responsible for the economic file.

K.Q./ Najla Khoury