The preparation for this Forum was based on the proposal
made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2008, which called for the need to
organize a Forum for Arab Cooperation with Central Asian Countries, with the
aim of enhancing and developing the economic, cultural and scientific relations
with those countries. During the preparations for the launch of the forum, the
Republic of Azerbaijan requested to join the forum; and the request was
approved by the League Council and with the consent of the Central Asian
Countries.
Hence, the first session of the forum was organized by the
General Secretariat (the Political
Sector-Department of Europe and Arab-European Cooperation), in coordination
with the Economic Sector of the League, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the
countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Several preparatory
meetings took place between the members of the Senior Officials’ committee from
both sides. Based on the request of the Central Asian states, it was agreed
that the Forum should focus on the economic aspects, and that the concluding statement
to be issued after the first session should include political articles
consistent with the Arab fundamental principles. At the request of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, it is expected that the Forum shall be launched in Riyadh on
13 May 2014 in the presence of the Foreign Ministers and the Ministers of
Economy, Trade and Finance from both sides. On the sidelines of the first
session of the Forum, a memorandum of cooperation between the League of Arab
States and the countries of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan would
be signed.
The General Secretariat assigned an academic expert to
conduct a study on the relationship between Arab states, the Central Asian
countries and Azerbaijan, in both Arabic and English, that includes a future
vision for the development of this cooperation. The study will be the basis
that will guide the launch of the Forum. In this context, a joint meeting of
the unions and business associations from both sides will convene in Riyadh from
28-29 April 2014, to come out with recommendations to be presented to the ministers
during the Forum’s first session.
