By Omar Al-Halabi (with photos)
BEIRUT, April 28 (KUNA) - Lebanese Premier Saad Al-Hariri and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jasem Al-Thani are expected to announce formation of a higher joint committee for economic reform and signing of a number of agreements during their talks Wednesday evening.
Lebanese Minister of State Adnan Qassar told KUNA the two-day visit by the Qatari Premier comes to follow up and build on talks regarding coordination and coordination held earlier between the Lebanese President and Qatari officials during recent visits to Doha.
"This visit would take relations and cooperation to an all-new level," stressed Al-Qassar. He said agreements are to be announced in the fields of infrastructure, power and water, health care, communications, services, cooperation in investment, industry, and tourism, among other areas.
"Lebanon would also seize the opportunity to express gratitude for Doha's support on many occasions, most particularly in relation to the reconciliation conference hosted in Doha in 2008 under the auspices of Amir Hamad bin Khalifa, which yielded the Doha Agreement and restored Lebanese stability and security." The official also pointed out Sheikh Hamad's visit would help in coordinating stances on regional and international issues. This is of great importance, he remarked, as Lebanon currently chairs the Arab Group in the UN Security Council for 2010-2011.
On the main Arab issue, Al-Qassar remarked Lebanon and all Arab countries are still committed to the Arab Peace Initiative approved by Arab leaders in the Beirut Summit in 2002. "This is Lebanon's strategic choice to restore sovereignty over all Lebanese territory," he said.
On the trade exchange between the two countries, he said "Sheikh Hamad's visit would bring more vigor to efforts aiming at developing trade and investment relations. And this would have wide-ranging effect on the private sector in both states." The fact that the Higher Joint Committee would be co-chaired by Sheikh Hamad and Premier Al-Hariri indicates the two leaderships' keenness on bolstering cooperation in all fields and on all levels, the minister said.
With a growth in trade exchange from USD 55 to 93 million between 2005-2009, Al-Qassar said there was still room for growth in this respect, both in volume and variety.
He also noted he believes the Qatari-Lebanese Business Council would create a mechanism to boost relations and flow of trade and investments. This involves care to areas like conferences, import of technology, support to joint projects, and working out impediments, among other things.
The Qatari Premier is due to arrive at Rafiq Al-Hariri and start an official visit accompanied by a delegation of senior officials. He is planned to meet the Lebanese Premier, and then hold a meeting and officials talks to sign a number of agreements.
This would be followed by a joint press conference on the results.(end) oh.wsa KUNA 281201 Apr 10NNNN