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On 9 April 2025, Jaime Lillo, Executive Director of the International Olive Council (IOC), received His Excellency Dr Abdullah Hallak, Syria's ambassador, at the organisation's headquarters. The meeting was also attended by the two Deputy Executive Directors, Abdelouahab Elaoujili and Imdat Bekdemir.
During the visit, Ambassador Hallak expressed Syria's strong interest in rejoining the Council. Syria is a significant producer of olive oil and table olives, and is seeking to strengthen its role in the international olive sector.
Discussions focused on Syria's wish to modernise its official laboratories and to take an active part in the Council's initiatives on capacity building and knowledge transfer. The Council welcomed this renewed interest and expressed its readiness to support Syria's reintegration into the organisation.