Damascus: Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani arrived this morning in the Syrian capital to hold talks with his Syrian counterpart, Amjad Badr, on cooperation mechanisms and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two ministries, in the interest of the agriculture sector in both Lebanon and Syria.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Hani and the accompanying delegation consisting of 16 officials from the agriculture sector were welcomed at the Masnaa border crossing before heading to Damascus. The two ministers, Hani and Badr, held bilateral talks followed by an expanded agricultural meeting involving officials and experts from the sector in both countries.
Badr welcomed his Lebanese counterpart and the accompanying delegation, considering that "this meeting opens wider prospects for coordination and joint work." He emphasized the shared geographical and climatic challenges faced by both countries, stressing the need to intensify coordination efforts, form joint scientific committees, and develop joint plans to address issues such as the movement of goods and climate changes. Badr concluded by expressing hope for setting clear timelines and holding joint meetings to improve the current situation.
Hani, for his part, thanked Minister Badr for the warm reception, noting that this meeting is the fourth between them, following earlier meetings held in Lebanon. He stressed that Lebanon and Syria have no option but full cooperation at all levels. During the expanded agricultural meeting, Hani stated that the visit marks the first practical step in agricultural cooperation, following political coordination at the highest level. He emphasized that agriculture is crucial for food security and farmers' livelihoods in both countries.
Hani highlighted the aim to activate cooperation mechanisms and strengthen the joint agricultural committee as a model of cooperation. He also underlined the importance of expanding cooperation to other Arab countries such as Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt to achieve regional agricultural integration. Hani pointed to shared challenges, including climate change, cross-border animal diseases, and border smuggling, warning of the serious health risks these issues pose, which require joint action and coordination.
Additionally, Hani addressed issues related to food industries, forests, woodlands, and marine fishing, concluding by expressing hope for ongoing communication between committees and for the joint agricultural committee to meet twice annually, making Lebanese-Syrian agricultural cooperation a regional model.