PM Siniora's Keynote Address to gathering of the Arab Chamber of Commerce in Berne, Switzerland
It gives me a great pleasure to be here today. I really would like to thank Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Lebanese Ambassador Mrs. Osseiran who organized this gathering and I look forward to an interesting and lively discussion.
Let me first start by saying how difficult they were the past seventeen months for all of us in Lebanon. We have witnessed events of unprecented proportions that have changed in a fundamental way the political, economic and social landscape.
After 30 years of civil strife and unsettled political situation a new era for Lebanon has begun which you all are witnessing now.
Let me at this stage try to address a question that might be crossing your mind.
Why are we visiting Switzerland and what did we achieve out of this successful trip.
As I mentioned earlier Lebanon is going into a new era of transition on the one hand and a period of setting or building the real foundation for the future, the foundation of a free democratic, Arabic and sovereign state. And in this context we may say that Lebanon is being reborn anew.
Moreover, after 30 years of somehow absence from the international and regional scene as an independent state Lebanon is reconnecting with the rest of the world, the Arab World and the World at large.
As for Switzerland It is a friendly country and has increasingly been playing a special and more active role in today's world in a more proactive manner that is why we hear now new terms of Neutrality in Solidarity rather than solitary neutrality which was the policy adopted by Switzerland for so many decades.
Accordingly, Switzerland can and will play an effective role in cooperation with Lebanon Economically, Financially and Politically and as well on the humanitarian level.
I met today H.E. Michelene Calmy Ray & President Morris Leuenberger.
The meetings were very good and we discussed matters pertaining to economic relations, trade relations, humanitarian assistance that can be provided to Lebanon. We tacked many political issues explaining the issues of the region and the importance of solving the Palestinian problem. Moreover we discussed many economic matters pestering to the Lebanese economy particularly what concerns the conference for the support of Lebanon.
The visit to Switzerland comes as a part of our multipronged effort to rise and raise Lebanon to where the Lebanese people want it to be a free, sovereign, Arab, democratic state where the state can prevail over all its territories and ultimately and whereby it will have a monopoly over the holding of arms in the country.
An important part of this effort would be to work together in rebuilding our political, administrative economic and social institutions in a modern and in harmony with the winds of change that is blowing everywhere around us.
That is why we are working to put our independence on stronger foundation, and to show more respect to the constitution as for the separation of powers, the independence and the reform of the judicial authority, develop a new electoral law and going back to exercise real respect to meritocracy through the implementation of new employment procedure whereby the process will be more transparent and competitive.
As you all know that political and institutional reform are crucial for our economic reform and in turn for our economic prosperity.
Our economic strategy has a number of pillars and we are confidently moving along to achieve our economic objectives through the following::
- Structural economic reform though privatization and leaner and more efficient government and better and more conducive environment for investment.
- Achieve debt sustainability through fiscal adjustment generating sustainable growth through economic & fiscal, reform and through domestic contribution and external assistance from our sister and friendly countries.
- Adopt a social policy that brings together poverty reduction, empowerment of marginalized economic groups though training and jobs creation and growth.
We are confident that our broad reforms and determined effort to achieve them, will create an environment that will enable Lebanon to benefit from the new opportunities that are being availed to Lebanon particularly the Capital flows from the gulf countries and Europe for which we are doing our best to use our comparative advantages to attract job creating investments.
Ladies and gentleman,
As you all know Lebanon represents a unique phenomenon of diversity, multi confessionalism, democracy, tolerance, freedom of expression, moderation, openness, liberty and high affinity to adapt to change and for improvement.
We will strive to preserve and keep these ideals alive. On the other hand we will spare no effort to realize Lebanon's potential. We will work hard to address our macro economic imbalances and try to build back a strong and modern economy that can meet the ambition of our young men and women.
That is why we look at you to join forces with us and to take interest in what we are doing and to participate in this magnificent and noble job of rebuilding back a prosperous economy for a country that is striving to become back the beacon of democracy, freedom in our part of the world.