ISTANBUL (insidesomaia.org) Prime ministers of Syria, Palestine and Somalia met in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Wednesday ahead of a Turkish-Arab Economy Forum Somalis in turkey told Shabelle.

The chairman of the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) brought the three premiers together at a dinner.

During the dinner, Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Utri said that Syria had made a call for a fair and comprehensive peace.

"If Israel is ready for peace, it should make a statement," al-Utri said.

On bilateral relations with Turkey, al-Utri said that Turkish firms had gained confidence in his country and the two countries were cooperating in energy, natural gas and irrigation projects.

Al-Utri said he hoped Syrian-Turkish trade volume would reach 2 billion USD at the end of 2008.

Also speaking at the dinner, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad said that Palestine was expecting Turkey's support against Israel's occupation.

Fayad defined the life in Palestine as very difficult and tragic, and said the government was trying to ensure a better life for Palestinian people.

"We also want to live freely in an independent country," Fayad also said.

Also, Somali Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein said that the interim government and opposition signed an agreement in his country two days ago and the agreement aimed to end the chaotic atmosphere that had been going on for 18 years.

"We expect both Turkey and Arab countries to support our country's reconstruction," Hussein also said.

The Third Turkish-Arab Economy Forum will be held in Istanbul from June 12th and 13th by the Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group (AIWA) and in association with Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK). The Arab League Secretariat General will extend formal support to the forum.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa will attend the opening ceremony of the forum. Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, Culture & Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay and TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu will also participate in the forum.

Prime ministers, economy, trade and energy ministers of Arab countries have been invited to the forum.

The meeting will bring together more than 800 government representatives, investors and businessmen from Turkish and Arab world.

Source: Shabelle Media Network