Benghazi – Sunday, April 5, 2026 The first preparatory meeting for the “Libyan-European Economic Forum – Benghazi” was held today, Sunday, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan Government. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Jamil Bouweithen, Director of the European Affairs Department at the Ministry, and attended by members of the coordinating committee, including Ms. Retaj Al-Enezi, Head of the Central Europe Section, and Mr. Ahmed Al-Maqsabi, Head of the Eastern Europe Section. The meeting was also attended by a number of representatives from relevant institutions and entities, including Mr. Hussein Al-Shar’a, Director of Libya Reconstruction Maritime Transport Company; Ms. Amira Al-Fitouri, representative of the Khalifa International Foundation for Humanitarian Work; Mr. Mohammed Ben Al-Awal, representative of the Libyan Businessmen Council; Dr. Mohammed Al-Fakhri, Advisor to the Libyan Authority for Scientific Research; Mr. Mohammed Al-Jahani, Director of the Office of the Minister of Economy; and Eng. Ramadan Boubtana, Director of International Relations at the Chamber of Commerce. Participants discussed a range of topics related to the initial arrangements for the forum, mechanisms for coordination among the concerned parties, and the definition of technical and organizational roles, in a manner that ensures the forum reflects Libya’s economic standing and enhances partnership opportunities with European countries. This meeting comes as part of early preparations for organizing the forum, paving the way for continued joint efforts in the upcoming phase, with the aim of hosting an economic event that contributes to opening new horizons for cooperation and investment between Libya and its European counterparts.