Tunis - Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali reviewed Friday with Syrian Premier Mohammad Naji Otri the outcome of the 11th session of the Joint Syrian-Tunisian Higher Committee and the signed agreements.
Talks during the meeting, attended by Tunisian Premier Mohamed Ghannouchi, dealt with the latest developments in both Arab and regional arenas, particularly the tragic situation in the occupied Palestine in light of escalated Israeli practices and hostile policies, continued settlements construction and putting obstacles in the way of security and stability in the region.
President Ben Ali highly appreciated Syria's stances under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, toward Arab causes.
He asserted Tunisia solidarity with Syria and its support to Syrian efforts for the achievement of just and comprehensive peace and the restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan.
The Tunisian President voiced his country's keenness to develop cooperation relations with Syria, and diversify their future prospects. He pointed to the importance of following-up and adopting practical mechanisms and timetables for the implementation and translation of what has been agreed upon.
Otri, meanwhile, stressed the depth and strength of the ties that bind the brotherly people of Syria and Tunisia.
"The meeting was an opportunity to discuss prospects of cooperation between the two countries in light of the outcomes of the Joint Syrian-Tunisian Higher Committee meetings," Otri told reporters after meeting President Ben Ali.
He added that the two sides have set a mechanism to implement the signed agreements . "We also outlined a timetable to arrange meetings for officials from both countries to boost joint cooperation."
Earlier, Syria and Tunisia signed six agreements, protocols, memos of understanding and executive programs in various areas of cooperation.
The signing came at the end of the 11th session of the Joint Syrian-Tunisian Higher Committee held in Tunis.
The signed documents included agreements for judicial and legal cooperation in civil and commercial materials and a framework agreement between the Central Banks of Syria and Tunisia.
Syrian and Tunisian officials signed a memo of understanding for developing small and medium-sized institutions and an executive program of a cooperation agreement in higher education for 2010-2012.
Other documents included a cooperation protocol between Safaqis and Tartous ports and an executive program signed between the Export Promotion Center in Tunisia and Export Development and Promotion Agency in Syria.
The Syrian Premier and his Tunisian Counterpart signed the Minutes of the Syrian-Tunisian Higher Committee meetings.
The Minutes included what has been agreed upon by the two countries in the political fields, trade and economic cooperation, mainly between economic institutions, free zones, international expos and markets, small and medium-sized institutions, investment and businessmen.
It also included cooperation in the fields of banking, taxation, customs, industry, petroleum, gas, electricity, agriculture, as well as land, air and maritime transport. Furthermore, it included cooperation in health, tourism, media, higher education, communication and information technologies.
The Committee condemned Israeli practices of judaizing Jerusalem, building settlements in the Palestinian territories and the inhumane blockade imposed on Gaza, urging the international community to take deterring measures to stop these practices which pose a threat to peace and security in the region and the world.
The committee stressed the importance of consultation between Syria and Tunisia to intensify efforts and consolidate joint Arab action that serves higher Arab interests and just national causes.
It also emphasized the importance of confronting challenges facing the Arab nation, especially the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian issue, achieving just and comprehensive peace, ending Israeli occupation of all Arab and Palestinian territories including the occupied Syrian Golan through implementing the relevant UN resolutions, the land-for-peace principle and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The Committee called for putting a mechanism for political consultation between the two countries with a view towards coordinating stances regarding all regional issues. It stressed the importance of efforts to implement the resolutions of Sirte Arab summit.
In the field of trade and economy, the Committee decided to develop banking cooperation between Syria and Tunisia and invigorate the role of the two liaison points between the two countries to overcome the obstacles hindering trade exchanges.
The committee recommended joint coordination at the Arab and international economic forums, mainly regarding the Arab Customs Union due to be established in 2015.
It underscored the importance of exchanging expertise: Syria benefits from the Tunisian experiences with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and partnership with the European Union, while Tunisia benefits from the Syrian experiences from the trade relations with the Middle East, Gulf countries and Turkey.
The Syrian side invited Tunisian counterparts to take part in the 3rd Forum for Investment in Free Zones due on June 27-28 in Damascus.
The Committee called for identifying the cooperation opportunities and laying out a work program that enables developing cooperation between the two countries.
The Tunisian side expressed desire to take part together with the Syrian companies and establishments at the annual Carthage Investment Forum in Tunisia, stressing the importance of organizing symposia to identify the investment opportunities in both countries.
Wrapping up the Committee's deliberations, Otri and Ghannouchi expressed relief over the positive development of cooperation between the two brotherly countries, underlining common desire to develop them in the interests of both countries and peoples .
By H. Said / M. Ismael/Ghossoun
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
