EU, Lebanon launch Joint Monitoring Committee to boost cooperation
Lebanon and the European Union on Thursday launched the EU-Lebanon Joint Monitoring Committee, a new platform for strategic dialogue on EU-Lebanon cooperation.
The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat, serving as Vice-Chair on behalf of the Minister of Finance, alongside EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele and Director for the Middle East and North Africa Division at the European Commission Henrike Trautmann.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé, Minister of National Defense Michel Menassa, Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Hajjar, Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, Minister of State for Administrative Development Fadi Makki, Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi, and Minister of Public Health Rakan Nassereddine.
The first day focused on EU support to basic services and vulnerable communities, including education, healthcare, social protection, water and wastewater. Discussions reviewed progress and results, examined implementation challenges and identified opportunities to strengthen the sustainability, effectiveness and impact of EU cooperation.
Mitri thanked the European Union and its Member States for their “longstanding support” to Lebanon, particularly throughout the successive crises the country has faced, and for their contribution to protecting vulnerable communities and maintaining essential services.
He said: “European support to Lebanon has been indispensable, particularly in helping protect vulnerable communities and maintain essential services through successive crises, and we are deeply appreciative of this longstanding partnership. But Lebanon cannot remain permanently defined by crisis, humanitarian needs and the management of fragility. Our partnership must now help us build the institutions and sustainable systems that allow the Lebanese State to assume its responsibilities. International assistance should strengthen the capacity of the State, not substitute for it.”
“We want to move from crisis management to recovery, from recovery to reform, and from reform to sustainable development. This requires stronger institutions, sustainable public systems, greater Lebanese ownership and responsibility, and a gradual shift from assistance towards investment and growth. European support should increasingly serve as a catalyst for investment, economic recovery and the creation of opportunities. Our ambition is to build a partnership based on shared priorities and mutual accountability, one that strengthens the State and enables Lebanon ultimately to stand on its own feet, while advancing the shared interests of Lebanon and Europe,” Mitri added.
EU Ambassador De Waele said: "The Joint Monitoring Committee takes place at an important moment in our partnership. Since the political developments of early 2025, we have seen renewed momentum for reform and a welcome return to structured policy dialogue between Lebanon and the European Union. Today, we have the opportunity to discuss and review the policy and reform priorities defined by Lebanon, across all the sectors of our cooperation. The European Union and its Member States remain ready to support this nationally led process, but the direction, political leadership, and responsibility for implementation must remain Lebanese."
The Joint Monitoring Committee will continue tomorrow, Friday with discussions on the EU’s development cooperation portfolio, including governance and reforms, justice, security, private sector development, employment, agriculture, energy and the environment.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss future priorities for the EU-Lebanon partnership, including in the framework of the Pact for the Mediterranean, notably in the areas of economic recovery and investment, energy, digital connectivity, security and skills.
“The EU remains a reliable, long-term partner for Lebanon, providing political, financial and institutional support. For the period 2021-2027, EU support to Lebanon amounts to approximately EUR 2.1 billion, including around EUR 1.6 billion in development assistance,” said a statement released by the EU Delegation to Lebanon.
Source: Naharnet
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