Lebanese PM Mikati to visit Turkey in February
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a news conference on the latest developments in the country at the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, Dec. 28, 2021. (REUTERS Photo)


Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati will visit Turkey early next month, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Buhabib and Energy and Water Minister Walid Feyyad said Tuesday.

In a press conference in the capital Beirut, Buhabib spoke on the important issues that would be covered during the visit, saying: "We talked with our Turkish friends about the details of issues such as tourism, energy, health, agriculture and education that will be discussed."

When asked what the highlights of the bilateral meeting would be, Buhabib responded: "Solar energy, investment in the oil sector, exports of Lebanese products and tourism cooperation between the two countries are on top of the agenda."

Feyyad stressed that it was decided to hold talks with Turkey on issues that benefit both sides, such as energy and electricity supply.

Regarding Turkey’s prospective energy investments in Lebanon, Feyyad said: "Taking advantage of Turkey’s experience, we will focus on the investment potential of Turks in the energy sector, such as solar and wind energy, and natural gas electricity generation."

"The investment in solar energy is not very big, it ranges from $50 million to $350 million. It is something that can pave the way for investment cooperation in Turkey’s energy sector," he asserted.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu had conveyed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's message to Mikati, inviting him to Turkey to explore bilateral cooperation during his visit to Beirut on Nov. 16, last year.

Mikati will visit Turkey for the first time since assuming office on Sept. 10, 2021.