Senate president calls for Arab economic union to address regional challenges

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Thursday called for the formation of an Arab economic union to help the Arab nation face political and economic challenges arising from regional interference.

He also highlighted the high rates of poverty and unemployment many Arab countries currently experience due to political and civil unrests.

In remarks to Al Arabiya about the new Levant project between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, Fayez said that there can be no solution to the region’s challenges without Arab economic integration. 

He expressed his hope that Arab countries could form an economic union to pave the way for their rising as a global power, especially that they share the same religion, language, traditions and heritage. 

Fayez said that the new Levant project between Jordan, Egypt and Iraq differs from the Arab Cooperation Council in both its nature and objectives. 

The Arab Cooperation Council was formed during relative political stability in contrast with the regional situation today, he added. 

Fayez stated that the new Levant project is not limited to Jordan, Iraq and Egypt only, rather it is open for any Arab country, including the Gulf countries. 

The Senate president wondered why there is no free trade agreement between Arab countries so far, giving as example the formidable challenges facing Jordanian exports to Arab countries. 

Fayez also touched on the role of Arabs in the international political arena, saying: “Unfortunately, our political frictions affect our status in regional and international issues”.

For example, Fayez said: “If our attitudes towards Israel were united, Israel would not have been so irresponsible. Unfortunately, our stances are scattered, especially after the Arab Spring."

On the possibility of a new Levant without Syria, Fayez said that efforts are being exerted to bring Syria back to the Arab fold, then Syria’s entrance into the new Levant project will be discussed. Fayez stressed that the priority now is Syria’s return to the Arab League.