Mideast situation – LAS Secretary General meets with Chilean President and PA Foreign Minister – LAS Press release/Non-UN document

President of Chile Visits Arab League (17-1-2005) 

Secretary General Amre Moussa of the Arab League today held talks with President Ricardo Lagos Escobar of Chile during the latter's visit to the Arab League's General Secretariat. The talks were attended by senior officials of the Chilean delegation along with the Arab League's senior officials. The talks also included Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Sha'th.

During the meeting, viewpoints over issues of concern to both sides were exchanged, specifically the Palestinian cause, Official Spokesman Hossam Zaki of the Arab League Secretary General said.

Spokesman Zaki also said Secretary General Moussa briefed the Chilean president on the outcomes of the Arab Foreign Ministers Exceptional meeting concerning the Arab League reform. Moussa also explained the efforts underway to reform the Arab League and upgrade its performance through allowing the civil society's organizations to partake in the Economic and Social council, recommending the establishment of the Arab parliament in addition to other actions.

Secretary General Moussa also pointed out the lifting of custom barriers among the Arab states starting this year and the establishment of the Arab free trade zone which has, so far, included 17 Arab states. Moussa's presentation gained the Chilean delegation's concern, Zaki said.

On the other hand, Dr. Nabil Sha'th made a presentation on the latest developments concerning the Palestinian issue, pointing out his appreciation to the reiterated concern laid by Chile-currently hosting the largest Palestinian population outside Palestine-to the situation inI the region and its ongoing call for a just solution to the cause that would lead to peace in the region.

According to Zaki, the Chilean president expressed contentment with his visit to the Arab League stressing his country's hope that the Latino-Arab summit, expected next May, would be successful. Escobar further stressed his country's strong belief in the inevitability of establishing a Palestinian state in implementation of the international legitimacy resolutions, and as a sole guarantee for the achievement of just peace and stability in the region.