Damascus, July 2 (SANA) Syria participated in a meeting of the International Olive Council (IOC) that concluded in Lisbon on Wednesday as the country continues efforts to regain membership in the intergovernmental organization, the Agriculture Ministry said.
The ministry said Syria was represented virtually by Mohammad Qawas, director of the Olive Office, marking another step in the country’s reaccession process.
During the meeting, delegations from Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan expressed support for Syria’s return to the IOC, according to the ministry.
Qawas said completing the reaccession process would allow Syria to benefit from the council’s technical cooperation programs, training initiatives and grants, while increasing the participation of Syrian experts in the organization’s specialized committees and activities.
IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo Lopez said Syria is continuing to complete the legal procedures required to rejoin the council and that the issue will be discussed further at the organization’s next meeting in Morocco.
The International Olive Council is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among member states in olive cultivation, olive oil and table olive production through research, technology transfer, training and the development of international standards.
T.S /ABD
