Syrian prime minister begins talks in Yemen [Archives:2005/834/Local News]

Yemen Times Staff & News Services
Sana'a, April 16- Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otari and his Yemeni counterpart Adulqader Bahjammal held a round of talks on Saturday in which they reviewed issues related bilateral cooperation on table of the current session of the Yemeni-Syrian joint committee.

Mr Otari arrived in Sana'a Saturday heading a large team of Syrian businessmen who will take part in the three-day talks.

The first round of Yemeni-Syrian talks areas of marine transport, social affairs and tourism, development of exports, specifications and standardization, expatriates, technical and agricultural cooperation and various other fields.

The two sides had also discussed regional integration in cultural, banking and scientific areas and agreed on increasing the volume of trade exchange and movement of commodities and products into both countries.

They had also agreed on boosting political solidarity and coordination with regard to the Middle East issue and other issues of common interest.

“The two sides will review all previous economic agreements, numbering 107, to check what has been implemented so far and to lay new bases for boosting cooperation at the economic and cultural levels,” a Yemeni government source told United Press International.

He said the two sides would sign new accords at the end of the talks Monday, including a memorandum of understanding for technical, scientific and planning cooperation, as well as cooperation in social affairs, tourism and transportation.

The volume of trade between Yemen and Syria is very small, estimated at $2 million per year.

Most of the trade revenue goes to Syria.
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