TRIPOLI, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) is crucial for the development of economic cooperation between China and Arab countries, a Libyan expert said on Saturday.

"The final arrangements for the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum are an important direction for the development of mutual economic cooperation, not only in Libya, but also in all the countries of the Middle East and North Africa," said Khalid Al-Montaser, a Libyan professor on international relations.

"We must be just and fair. Beijing has become a leading force in global economic development. We (Arabs) have a historic opportunity to benefit from cooperation with them, because we have historical ties and we are closer geographically (to China) than Europe and the Americas," Al-Montaser told Xinhua.

"The strengths must be used in developing ties and raising the level of our developing economy," Al-Montaser said.

"The opportunities are possible and even widely available," Al-Montaser added, when asked about opportunities for the success of economic cooperation between Arab countries and China.

The forum was initiated in the opening years of the new millennium, after China and Arab countries witnessed a steady growth in friendship and cooperation.

In 2004, China and the Arab League (AL), whose 22 members have all established diplomatic relations with China, formally launched the forum. The eighth ministerial meeting of the CASCF will kick off in Beijing on Tuesday.