| 2008: Iraq participates in preparatory meeting for Arab economic summit |
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May 1, 2008 Head of the economic relations council in the Arab League said on Thursday that Iraq takes part in the Cairo-based preparatory meetings for the upcoming Arab economic summit, scheduled for early 2009. "One of the goals of the upcoming economic summit, which is due to be held in Kuwait at the beginning of next year, is to fulfill the requirements for an Arab economic integration," Thamir al-Aani told Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI). The statements were made on the sidelines of a two-day meeting at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo, with the participation of representatives from all Arab states. Al-Aani attended the meeting in his capacity as the head of the economic relations council and as a representative for his country, Iraq. "We are currently in a bridging period between an Arab free trade zone and the establishment of a customs federation, which is the second crucial stage for an Arab economic integration. In the coming stage, we will be focusing on the customs federation and the common Arab market…," al-Aani noted. "The meeting also tackles issues of common concern to the Arab world, economic development in relation to human development, and suggestions to activate Arab economic cooperation and to free up trade between Arab countries…," al-Aani added. Al-Aani explained that the problems facing Iraq, mainly the misuse of human and industrial resources, and agricultural land, are more or less the problems of the entire Arab world. Source: Voices of Iraq |