Post: Syrian-Iraqi talks to boost agricultural cooperation

Damascus, Minister of Agriculture in the caretaker government, Eng. Mohammad Hassan Qatana, discussed with a delegation from the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture headed by the Director General of Horticulture Department, Hadi Hussein, the development of agricultural relations between Syria and Iraq, and enhancing trade exchange of products to achieve integration between them. Minister Qatana noted that Syria is a major source of many agricultural products exported to Iraq, especially vegetables and fruits, stressing the need to strengthen relations between the two countries in the agricultural field. Qatana highlighted the importance of the quadripartite agreement between Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon as the nucleus of an Arab economic agreement that would enhance trade and technical exchange, unify agricultural and veterinary quarantine systems, establish unified certificates of origin between the four countries, facilitate the arrival of products, and regulate and reduce fees, noting the importance of putt ing these agreements into effect. In turn, the head of the Iraqi delegation stated that all proposals will be transferred to the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture. Hadi Hussein pointed out to the historical relations that bind the two countries and the necessity of enhancing them as well as activating the quadripartite agreement in a way that serves the interests of both countries. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency