Bassil discusses preparations for the ministerial meeting with Greece and Cyprus

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil discussed with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Walid Bukhari on Wednesday bilateral relations and the importance of activating them.

Bassil expressed readiness to do everything necessary to encourage the Saudis to resume tourism or investment visits to Lebanon, especially after Saudi Arabia lifted the travel ban on Lebanon.

Preparations are underway for the signing of major agreements between the two countries with a view to strengthening relations between them.

Minister Bassil then met with French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher. They tackled the situation on the border in southern Lebanon and the work of the UNIFIL.

Foucher expressed his country's Foreign Minister's desire to visit Lebanon.

Bassil also tackled with German Ambassador Jorg Berglin the return of displaced Syrians to their country.

Berglin uttered his country's desire to assist Lebanon and ease the burden weighing on the country due to the displaced crisis.

The pair also discussed the economic conference that Lebanon intends to hold in Germany, and the latter's contribution to several projects in Lebanon.

Minister Bassil later met with Chinese ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian. They discussed economic cooperation prospects, and projects carried out by Chinese companies in Lebanon and what they intend to do in Syria via Lebanon.

On another note, Minister Bassil presided a coordination meeting attended by Minister of Economy and Trade Mansour Bteish, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Hassan Murad, Chairman of the Economic and Social Council Charles Arbeed, President of the Lebanese Investors Association Jack Sarraf and representatives of the Ministries of Education and Tourism, and other concerned sectors.

They discussed the preparations for the ministerial meeting scheduled to be held in Beirut on April 10, with the participation of the foreign ministers of Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon, for the purpose of activating economic coordination and promoting tourism and educational cooperation between the three countries.