"Forum for Future" concludes with vow to continue reform

Ministers of some 22 Middle East and North African countries and G-8 nations ended their one-day meeting of "the Forum for the Future" and vowed to continue their reforms.

In a chair summary, the meeting reaffirmed the countries' commitment to continuing political, economic and social reforms now underway and planned.

Foreign and finance ministers from 18 Arab countries and four non-Arab countries in the region and the Group of eight (G8) industrial nations, delegates of civil and business groups as well as international organizations attended the forum.

The participants presented proposals at the meeting, which include a microcredit program to assist small business in the region, training projects for young businessmen and foreign investment as well as a plan to fight illiteracy.

However, Arab countries and the United States have had sharp differences over the need for democratic reform compared with a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though they agreed to keep talking.

"The participants agreed their support for reforms in the region will occur in parallel with their support for finding a solution to the Palestinian conflict," said Morocan Foreign Minister Mohamed Benaissa at a joint press conference with his US counterpart Colin Powell.

He added that the forum is a open dialogue for participants to exchange their ideas freely, and there would be follow-ups.

The forum is seen as one of the concrete steps toward implementing the declaration titled "Partnership for Progress and a Common Future with the Region of the Broader Middle East and North Africa" adopted at the G-8 summit at the Sea Island, Georgia of the United States on June 9.

Since the US plan was first floated in February, many Arabs have been angered by the US meddling in their affairs.

Arab leaders had resisted US calls for speedy democratic reforms in their countries, saying the steps that the United States deems essential to stem terrorism must be preceded by a just and durable peace in the Middle East.

Source: Xinhua