CZECH NEGOTIATIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE FRIENDSHIP WEEK 

Within the framework of the Czech-Lebanon Friendship Week, His Excellency Bassel Fleihane, Minister of Economy and Trade, met with Her Excellency Dr. Eva Filipi, Ambassador of the Czech Republic accompanied by a delegation of journalists representing Czech media.

According to the Czech Ambassador, the visit aims at getting information about Lebanon and its current situation. Mrs. Viviane Boulos, manager of Platinum International and host of the visit, stated that the visit aims at promoting tourism between Lebanon and the Czech Republic, knowing that the said company employs approximately 300 people in both countries.

The Ambassador also met with His Excellency Najib Mikati, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, while the delegation met with His Excellency Dr. Karam Karam, Minister of Tourism. The latter stressed the " importance of strengthening tourist ties between both countries ". He also recognized the importance of accelerating the needed procedures to facilitate tourists' access to Lebanon. He considers that Lebanon has several tourist assets, especially the large cultural, historical and religious heritage.

A Czech delegation meets with ministers

Within the framework of the Czech-Lebanon Friendship Week, seven journalists from the Czech Republic accompanied by the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Lebanon, held meetings with several Lebanese ministries.

The first meeting took place with His Excellency Fouad Siniora, Minister of Finance. The TV crew and journalists from the Czech Republic asked several questions regarding the current financial sector of Lebanon, and received first hand information including about privatization and investment prospects in Lebanon.

While meeting with His Excellency Ghazi Al Areedi, Minister of Information, the journalists discussed the controversial issue regarding the closing of Télé Liban, as well as Lebanese censorship laws and the problem of illegal cable.

They discussed with His Excellency Dr. Karam Kaam, Minister of Tourism, the problem of Czech nationals getting visas to enter Lebanon. The Minister agreed to work on fixing the problem to promote tourism from the Czech republic as well as all Eastern European countries. He also stated his commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations in order to foster growth of tourism and friendship.

Her Excellency Dr. Eva Filipi, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Lebanon, was able to attend the meeting with His Excellency Dr. Najib Mikati, Minister of Transportation. The Minister explained the new regulations of car imports into Lebanon as well as the efforts to regulate ecologically friendly vehicles already existing in the country. The question of public transport was raised concerning building underground transportation as well as a railway line.

At the last meeting with his Excellency Dr. Bassel Fuleihan, Minister of Economy and Trade, the journalists learned about the economic state of Lebanon. They were informed that the national unemployment rate was at 15% and that many of the younger generation are finding themselves leaving Lebanon to find work. His Excellency Dr. Fuleihan informed the journalists that though this may be looked upon as something negative, Lebanon has always been a country that exports the youth, but he reassured that most of the time, they return with new ideas of the West, which in turn enriches the Lebanese culture.

Caption: The Czech delegation with Minister Mikati.