European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, underlined EU’s commitment to provide continuous support and aid to Lebanon.
Mogherini made her remarks on Tuesday at the Baabda Palace, where she met with President Michel Aoun on her first day visit to the country.
“We appreciate your wisdom in maintaining Lebanon’s stability, and the European Union will remain on your side to provide support and assistance,” the EU official told Aoun during the meeting.
The Lebanese president, for his part, said he hoped that EU states would actively participate in the upcoming international meetings on Lebanon.
In this context, he noted that he was looking forward to the outcome of the international conferences for the support of Lebanon, which will be held in Paris, Rome and Brussels over the next two months, with regards to providing aid to the Lebanese Army and armed forces, supporting the economy, and guarantying the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
Aoun presented to the European official an overview of the internal situation in the country, pointing out that the government work has returned to normal and stressing that the parliamentary elections would be held on time in accordance with the new electoral law.
In turn, Mogherini said she hoped that stability would prevail over the coming period to allow the holding of parliamentary elections on time and in a democratic atmosphere.
She underlined that the EU was deploying all efforts to achieve the success of the upcoming international conferences.
Pointing to the Syrian refugee crisis, Mogherini stressed that the EU would continue to provide the necessary financial assistance to help Lebanon support the displaced Syrians awaiting their return to their country.
She noted that direct assistance provided to the displaced during the past six years amounted to one billion euros, in addition to 280 million euros in joint projects.
