Syria accuses Arab League for ignoring realities; Turkey announces economic and financial sanctions against Syria; Visiting Lebanese delegation discuss events in Syria; Syria and UNIDO discuss means of implementing cooperation programmes; Syria and Iraq d
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    • According to reports, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem lashed out at the Arab League for ignoring “terrorists” on Syrian territory in its decision to impose crippling sanctions, which it said marked a declaration of “economic war”. These comments came even as UN-appointed investigators accused Syrian forces of crimes against humanity, while rights groups said at least eight more civilians were killed across the country. Mouallem told that the government had opened all avenues in talks with the Arab League to end bloodshed in the country, but said that “they have closed all these windows” of opportunity.1

    In another development, in line with the Arab, Western and U.S. sanctions against Syria, Turkey announced financial and economic sanctions aimed at impacting the interests of the Syrian people. According to the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the measures included suspending the loan offered by the Turkish Export-Import Bank (Teximbank) to finance infrastructure projects in Syria. Davutoglu said Turkey would impose a freeze on Syrian government financial assets in Turkey in addition to all financial credit dealings with Syria to be stopped except for the current transactions.2

    Meanwhile, reports noted that President Bashar al-Assad received a delegation of the Muslim Scholars Gathering of Lebanon and discussed with them the events in Syria and their repercussions at the regional and international levels. The delegation expressed its denunciation of the plots against Syria that aimed to undermine its security and stability, stressing their complete rejection of the Arab League decisions targeted against the Syrian citizens.3

    Further, Syria and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) discussed means of implementing the cooperation programmes between the two sides, particularly in the second phase of the industrial modernisation project in Syria and of the development of Agropolis Project. During the meeting, Minister of Industry, Adnan Salkho discussed with the UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh Yumkella the possibility of finding a funding by the international organisations and the donor bodies for those projects.4

    According to reports, Director of Investment Board of Syria Ahmad Diyab discussed with a delegation of Iraqi businessmen the aspects of enhancing trade and investment relations between Syria and Iraq. During the meeting, Diyab called on the Iraqi businessmen to benefit from the opportunities and incentives included in the decree No. 8, referring to a new decree that would give new incentives for investors in Syria. Head of the visiting delegation, Asaad Baki Haidar of Erbil-Drasco showed desire to reinforce trade and investment ties between the two countries.5

    However, according to the spokesman at the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry, Syria has decided to suspend its membership in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) till the European Union reconsiders the measures taken against it. The spokesman added that representatives of the Egyptian-French co-presidency of the UfM have been informed of the decision.6

    Separately, reports noted that in response to the measures announced by the Turkish Foreign Minister, the Syrian government decided to suspend the Free Trade Zone agreement between Syria and Turkey. The Syrian Government also studying the feasibility of taking other procedures that match with what has been declared by the Turkish Minster.7

    Further, at a session held in Geneva by the Human Rights Council to discuss Syria file, the ALBA countries condemned the political and media campaign against Syria, saying that this campaign aims at justifying the US and western countries' endeavours to interfere in Syria's domestic affairs, which was totally rejected by ALBA.8

    In other developments, according to reports, Syrian Minister of Housing and Construction Hala al-Nasser discussed with the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Ali Nikzad means of bolstering bilateral cooperation in the housing and construction sectors. Al-Nasser highlighted the investment opportunities in the housing and construction sectors in Syria, adding that there were wide prospects for bilateral cooperation to establish housing units in the Syrian governorates. On his part, Nikzad underlined the importance of Syrian-Iranian relations and enhancing bilateral cooperation in the housing sector, expressing readiness for full cooperation with the Syrian side in this regard.9

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