The Minister of Agriculture, Nizar Hani, is intensifying his regional efforts to enhance agricultural integration and the management of Lebanese crops, revealing that the final touches have been put on a joint and comprehensive agricultural agreement with the Syrian side.
In statements he made to the “Lebanon Debate” website on the sidelines of the “Lebanese-Syrian Investment Forum,” Hani explained that following the opening session of the forum, he held a practical meeting in the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture, accompanied by his Syrian counterpart and the teams of the two ministries, during which the drafting of an integrated agreement that the two parties have been preparing for about a year was completed. He stressed that the agreement was designed to take into account the volume of production in both countries, regulate the agricultural seasons, and protect the interests of Lebanese and Syrian farmers alike, in order to achieve the desired agricultural integration.
In the broader regional context, Hani pointed out that Syria represents the closest and most vital market for Lebanese agricultural crops, pointing to ambitious plans to expand the umbrella of this cooperation to include Jordan and Iraq.
The minister revealed intensive diplomatic movements, including a visit he made last week to the Jordanian Minister of Agriculture, and another visit he will make this weekend to the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture, with the aim of building close cooperation frameworks between the four countries.
Hani explained that the main purpose of these movements is to maximize Lebanese agricultural exports, especially during seasons of abundance and heavy production such as the “apple season,” which reduces the burden on local production and opens new marketing horizons.
The Minister of Agriculture concluded by emphasizing the strategy of building an integrated economic and agricultural system linking Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq, in preparation for joint access to the vast Gulf and Arab markets, in a way that strengthens the bonds of regional partnership and serves the common interests of the four countries.
