Eichhorst Meets Miqati: We Hope Lebanon Will Continue Supporting Int’l Resolutions, STL

European Union ambassadors to Lebanon praised on Thursday the government’s choice of stability, independence, and sovereignty, encouraging the country’s leaders to maintain this path.

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst said: “We express our trust that Lebanon will continue to honor its international obligations in 2012 as derived from U.N. Security Council resolutions, including with respect to the U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon and continued cooperation with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.”

She made her statements after holding talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail at the head of the EU ambassadors delegation.

She added: “Achievements in these areas, together with a determination to press ahead with much needed political, economic, and social reforms, provide a fertile ground for Lebanon to continue to prosper and grow – allowing it to deepen democratic roots and promote a flourishing economy.”

“We highlighted electoral reform, reforms to the security sector and of border management, improving the investment climate including fight against corruption and WTO accession, enhancing the protection of citizens, foreigners, displaced and refugees, and improvements to political and economic governance, including public finance management,” she revealed.

“The timely elaboration of a new EU-Lebanon Action Plan could greatly serve to enhance and focus our joint efforts on priorities of mutual interest,” Eichhorst said.

“The combined assistance of the EU and its Member States, which is currently ongoing, amounts to 1 billion euros. This figure underlines that the EU is a consistent and reliable partner, committed to reforms, in order to tangibly improve the livelihoods of people in Lebanon,” she stressed to Miqati.

“Our collective priority remains Lebanon's continued stability and prosperity in 2012 and beyond,” she remarked.

In 2011, the EU committed funds to the value of over 56 million euros.

These funds were allocated to concrete programs to advance 'deep democracy' in Lebanon through: support to human rights, democracy, elections, to local authorities, administrative reform and security sector reform.

In terms of enhancing Lebanon's economic climate and productivity, the EU has also substantially committed to support its agriculture and rural development as well as the sectors of energy, water and transport infrastructure.

In addition, EU Member States are engaged on various levels in bilateral support to Lebanon.