The capital Beirut hosted the "Four-Way Meeting of Agriculture Ministers from Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon," aimed at strengthening brotherly ties and activating cooperation in the agricultural field. This initiative was initiated by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, under the patronage of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with the attendance of official delegations led by:
- Engineer Khaled Hneifat, Minister of Agriculture in Jordan
- Engineer Mohamed Hassan Qatana, Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in Syria
- Engineer Mohamed Karim Al-Khafaji, Minister of Agriculture in Iraq
- Dr. Abbas Al-Haj Hasan, Minister of Agriculture in Lebanon.
The following points were discussed and agreed upon during the meeting:
1. **Enhancing Trade Exchange:** Establish trade relations among the participating countries by exchanging documents for the potential establishment of a joint company focused on marketing agricultural products based on an agricultural calendar to be adopted later, or creating joint marketing associations supported by government grants and preferential benefits, or both.
2. **Standardizing Health Certificates:** Develop unified models for phytosanitary and veterinary health certificates among the countries based on international standards and detailed regulations for granting them.
3. **Reviewing MoUs from Syria:** Adopt the draft memoranda of understanding presented by Syria as a preliminary document for review and comments according to the laws of each country, to be reformulated to represent a common vision and signed jointly.
4. **Inviting Other Arab Countries:** Encourage other Arab nations interested in joining discussions and dialogues among the four countries to expand coordination, cooperation, and trade exchange within the Arab states.
5. **Discussing Transit and Cargo Transportation:** Address topics concerning transit and cargo transportation among the participating countries to relevant authorities and approve suitable measures, to be finalized in the next meeting with the transport ministers of the participating countries to ensure reduced marketing costs and increased agricultural product exchange.
6. **Full Coordination on Disease and Disaster Management:** Ensure full cooperation in exchanging information about cross-border diseases, epidemics, and agricultural disasters, and establish joint mechanisms to combat and control them.
7. **Unifying Registration Procedures:** Discuss the possibility of unifying procedures for registering fertilizers and veterinary drugs among the participating countries and adopt measures that align with the laws of each state.
8. **Establishing a Joint Technical Committee:** Form a joint technical committee to propose formulations for the agreed points, which will be approved through a technical meeting in Iraq, to be presented, discussed, and finalized in the next meeting.
9. **Studying Agricultural Calendars:** Analyze the agricultural calendar of each country to identify relative advantages and competitive agricultural products, determining feasible exchange opportunities within specific timeframes and quantities.
10. **Strengthening Cooperation with Relevant Organizations:** Enhance cooperation and coordination with Arab and international organizations, including relevant agencies and funds, inviting them to fund necessary regional projects among the participating countries to address the impacts of climate change on the agricultural sector and enhance food security.
11. **Next Meeting Scheduled:** Agree to hold the next meeting in September, inviting international and Arab organizations working in agriculture and investors interested in exploring investment opportunities in all countries.
In conclusion, the attendees expressed their gratitude to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Najib Mikati for hosting and supporting this meeting, and specifically thanked the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture for the warm reception and excellent organization.
