LOC17:42
14:42 GMT
CAIRO, Aug 28 (KUNA) -- The Arab Economic and Social Affairs Council of the Arab League concluded its 82nd session on the ministerial level on Thursday, held in the Arab League headquarters in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, adopting a number of resolutions and recommendations.
Chairman of the session, the Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said during the closing press conference that key issues discussed by the ministers, were the impending Arab Economic Summit to be held in Kuwait, in January 2009.
He added that the council is to hold a further special session to revise issues that are to be presented at the Kuwait Summit, indicating that so far procedures were going as planned.
Another issue discussed, was the "Greater Arab Free Trade Zone," and strategic steps taken by Arab states to reach the goal.
He said that trade in Arab countries faced several obstacles that needed to be wiped out which is why the Arab League is to form a task-force to deal with the problem.
Previously in the inauguration speech of the session, Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa addressing ministers, said that he witnessed a huge commitment from Arab countries supporting the success of the coming Arab Economic Summit.
He described the "Kuwait Summit" as one that would be "distinguished," in the path of joint Arab economic efforts, hoping that it would result in major developments in the region.
The Kuwait Summit will present three major documents, an eco-political declaration, a document that contains action steps for development-related projects for the entire Arab region and a third document, containing mechanisms to supervise the execution of the summit's recommendations.
A commercial goods' exhibition and other activities will precede the summit in a week.
The current session, according to the Seceretary General, would discuss in its talks, the reform of certain unnamed Arab organizations. (end) mab.mfm.rgh.sd KUNA 281742 Aug 08NNNN