Damascus - Syrian Cabinet approved a number of draft laws including a bill on shifting to modern irrigation techniques to better rationalize the use of water and preserve water resources.
Heading a Cabinet's session on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri called for implementing development projects and taking all measures to activate agreements signed with other Arab and foreign countries.
Approval included a bill to ratify a framework agreement signed with France in the economic and financial fields to enhance cooperation in tax reform and automation of the system of general administration of finance in Syria.
The Cabinet also agreed to ratify the executive program of an agreement between Syria and Jordan on cooperation in higher education /2010-2012/. Other draft laws were approved in translation of what was agreed upon at the first meeting of the Syrian-Turkish High Level Strategic Cooperation Council held recently in Damascus.
Those include two bills to ratify a memo of understanding between Syria and Turkey for installing a water pump station on the Syrian borders to draw water from Tigris river towards al-Hasaka and al-Khabour river, and another regarding building a joint dam on al-Assi river called /The Friendship Dam/.
The Cabinet also agreed to ratify two memos on effective management of water resources and fighting drought and improving water quality, both were signed with Turkey.
Syrian Premier Otri called for coordination between the ministries and public organizations and vocational syndicates regarding proposals for legislative modification to ensure integration and reach positive results.
He also lauded the ministries of Culture and Information for their support and efforts in the festivity activities of Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture. The Cabinet was briefed by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on the latest developments in the regional and international arenas.
By Haifa Said /Mazen
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
