BEIRUT, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday met with visiting Syrian economy chief Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar to discuss ties between the two countries, according to a statement by the Lebanese presidency.
During the meeting, al-Shaar conveyed Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa's greetings to Aoun, saying the visit marked the opening of "a new page" based on peace, friendship, sincerity and balanced relations, the statement read.
He also called for closer cooperation between the Lebanese and Syrian business councils, saying the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, will be a key driver of economic development, it said.
Aoun, in his remarks, conveyed his greetings to al-Sharaa and stressed the importance of relations based on balance, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, the statement said.
Lebanon's stability is linked to Syria's, and vice versa, he added, stressing that cooperation should extend beyond security and military issues to the economy, it added.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat said Wednesday that Lebanon and Syria have an opportunity to build new relations that are "clearer and more balanced," the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
"The new page in Lebanese-Syrian relations needs substance, meaning functioning institutions, clear interests and results that benefit both peoples," Bisat said at the opening of the Lebanese-Syrian Investment Forum in Beirut, according to NNA. ■
