Doha Forum and Enriching Middle-East's Economic Future Conference

Doha, May 20 (QNA) - The Doha Forum and Enriching the Middle-East's Economic Future Conference kicked off here earlier in the day with around 200 participants representing more than 40 countries and international organizations. The two-day conference being held in conjunction with the Doha Forum is organized by the Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Middle East Development Center of the University of California . The Conference's first day plenary session dealt with the future developments of US and Europe relations with the Middle East and prospects for continuing and enhancing these relations . The second session dealt with economic challenges and opportunities in the Middle East in aftermath of the Arab Spring, while the third session titled "economy after the Arab Spring: the case of Syria" where discussions had focused on public sector employment and aid and other regional challenges as well as ways to explore how to address them. The Syrian case centred specifically on the importance of re-development of small industries and job creation. The conference will continue session tomorrow by holding six sessions to feature among other topics the future of education in the Middle East, the impact of investment in building societies the economic challenges of the Arab Spring (the Egyptian model), as well as culture, comedy and cross-border role in the sharing of ideas, the youth role in building the future of the Middle East, besides relations with China, India and Japan as future partners of the Middle East. The Forum and the Conference closing session will be chaired by HE Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Jabor Al Thani, who is also the chairman of Permanent Committee for Organizing Conferences, and Professor Steven L. Spiegel, Director of the Middle East Development Center at the University of California. The second evening session for the forum is entitled Arabs and the future challenges in a changing world. One of the papers presented discusses how the relation between US and the GCC can turn into alliance that promotes development and peace. Another paper the session will discuss will be on Europe and the challenges facing its unity. Head of the Arab League Mission in Paris Nassif Hitti will also give his remarks on the main transformations in the Arab World's political systems. He said that the changes that took place in Europe after the fall of Berlin wall were now taking place in the Arab World after the fall of the "wall of fear" Hitti questioned in his remarks whether the role of super powers have vanished, particularly with the retreat of the European role in international affairs. He noted that this retreat was accompanied by Russia seeking a stronger role to play. In addition to China, that's relying on its strong economy to push for a bigger role in international politics. For his part former US Ambassador Richard Loparo said that US-GCC relations were in best shape at the moment. He also gave his views on how to make the ties stronger. One of the suggestions was to prepare a long-term schedule that will see both parties work hard on enhancing relations, particularly in the field of providing aid to other countries like Egypt. (QNA)