Beirut, 2 May 2024
Dear Prime Minister,
Thank you very much for welcoming President Christodoulides and me here in Beirut. Lebanon is a beautiful, diverse and vibrant country, full of energy and potential. But it faces significant challenges domestically and as a result of tensions and war in the region. We understand this and we are here first and foremost to say that the European Union strongly supports Lebanon and its people. And we want to reinforce our long-standing cooperation. This was also the very clear message of European Leaders at our last Summit. And today we, Nikos and me, are here in a Team Europe spirit to reiterate that message.
Today, we discussed how we can strengthen our political and economic relations and support the security and stability of Lebanon. To underline our support, I can announce a financial package of EUR 1 billion for Lebanon that would be available from this year until 2027. We want to contribute to Lebanon’s socio-economic stability.
First, by strengthening basic services, investments in for example education, social protection and health, for the people in Lebanon.
Second, we will accompany you as you take forward economic, financial and banking reforms. These reforms are key for the long-term improvement of the overall economic situation of the country. This would allow the business environment and the banking sector to regain the trust of the international community and thus enable private sector investment. Lebanon needs and deserves a positive economic momentum to give opportunities to its businesses and citizens.
Third, security and stability are also key for these investments. We will support the Lebanese armed forces as well as the general and internal security forces. This will be mainly focused on providing equipment, training and the necessary infrastructure for border management. In addition, it would be very helpful for Lebanon to conclude a working arrangement with Frontex, particularly on information exchange and situational awareness.
Fourth, to help you in managing migration, we are committed to maintain legal pathways open to Europe and resettle refugees from Lebanon to the European Union. At the same time, we count on your good cooperation to prevent illegal migration and combat migrant smuggling.
Finally, we understand the challenges that Lebanon faces with hosting Syrian refugees and other displaced persons. It is vital to ensure the well-being of the host communities and Syrian refugees. Since 2011, the European Union has supported Lebanon with EUR 2.6 billion – not only for the Syrian refugees but also for the host communities. And we will continue to do so.
We will also look at how we can make the EU’s assistance more effective. This includes exploring how to work on a more structured approach to voluntary returns to Syria, in close cooperation with UNHCR. At the same time, there needs to be strengthened support from the international community, for humanitarian and early recovery programmes in Syria.
I would like to finish by focusing on the conflict in Gaza and its impact on Lebanon. We fully support all efforts to reach a ceasefire and release of all hostages. And we have just increased further our extensive humanitarian aid to Gaza. Ultimately, we need a peace process towards a two-state solution. It is the only solution that can bring lasting peace and stability to the Middle East. In the meantime, we must continue to work towards a de-escalation of conflict. And we are deeply concerned about the volatile situation in South Lebanon. What is at stake is the security of both Lebanon and Israel. The two cannot be disassociated. So, we call for the full implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 by all parties. This needs to be part of a negotiated diplomatic settlement. Here too, the Lebanese armed forces are critical, and the European Union is ready to work on how to bolster their capabilities.
Dear Prime Minister,
to conclude, let me assure you that you can count on the European Union’s sustained support for Lebanon and its people. It is a long-term partnership and friendship. The bonds between Lebanon and Europe are deep and strong. It is these bonds that will continue to drive our cooperation. Thanks again for having me here and for being such a fantastic host.
Source – EU Commission
Statement to the press by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides
It has been less than a month since my last visit to Lebanon and today I am pleased and privileged to visit Beirut once again; this time together with the President of the European Commission.
At the outset, I would like to thank Prime Minister Mikati for the warmth of his hospitality. Lebanon is Cyprus’ geographically closest neighbour and we share traditionally very warm and very friendly bilateral relations. Being here today feels like being home.
I am honoured to be part of this historic day. I feel very pleased that, following relevant consultations, I am here together with the President of the European Commission for the announcement of a comprehensive support package for Lebanon and the Lebanese people.
The package includes, inter alia, assistance for developing various programmes for the Lebanese people, for the Lebanese Armed Forces, for the Lebanese Security, anti-smuggling actions, border control and management, support for Lebanon’s economy and many more.
I am very confident that this package announced today will help enhance the capacity of the Lebanese authorities to handle various challenges including controlling land and maritime borders, ensuring the safety of its citizens, fight against people smuggling, and continue their fight against terrorism.
Dear Ursula, I would also like to thank you for your leadership. Your foresight and decisive action were very crucial in making sure that this package would become a reality and that it would be announced swiftly as developments in the region, in our neighbourhood, made it very time-sensitive for the EU to respond. So, thank you very much.
Let me be clear. Today’s visit and announcements are not only very important in terms of substance. They are also very important in terms of symbolism. Today – Ursula is the first President of the European Commission to visit Lebanon – the EU clearly states that it is actively present and that it will continue to be at the side of Lebanon.
Today, we are taking an important step in making Lebanon stronger. We are also taking an important step in further strengthening the bond between the EU and Lebanon, so that we can better address joint challenges. Cyprus, and myself personally, have been one of the strongest proponents for further enhancing the EU-Lebanon relationship, and today I am very glad that it is substantially moving forward.
Due to its geographical proximity to the region, our flight here was approximately 25 minutes, Cyprus has a deeper understanding of the issues and the challenges that Lebanon is facing. Their reverberations also directly affect Cyprus as well as the EU.
The longstanding conflict in Syria has increasingly negative effects on Lebanon and its people. While we commend the Lebanese Government for hosting a large number of Syrian refugees for more than 12 years, we are also fully cognisant of the enormous pressures that this creates to your economy and society. I want to assure you that Lebanon’s efforts are not taken for granted. I also want to assure you that I am aware that we cannot continue this business as usual. This longstanding issue needs to be effectively, decisively and comprehensively addressed.
Let me be clear. The current situation is not sustainable for Lebanon and it is not sustainable for Cyprus, it is not sustainable for the EU. It has not been sustainable for years, but developments especially in these recent months force us to seek immediate solutions.
We need to work closer and in much greater extent with our partners and the UNHCR in discussing the issue of voluntary returns and not only. The situation in certain regions of Syria should be examined.
On this historic day, it is also important to recognise that the current status quo is unsustainable and that peace, stability and prosperity in Lebanon will only come if we all fulfil our commitments.
In this context, I underline the importance of actively engaging to potentially restart the discussions for the conclusion of the Partnership Priorities between the European Union and Lebanon; to facilitate cooperation at operational and technical level between Lebanon and Frontex; to implement the necessary and thorough reforms in line with IMF requests and to also address issues of accountability. Even more importantly, Cyprus will continue to be supportive of Lebanon’s efforts to elect a new President, a development that will represent an enormous political and symbolic message of change and of moving forward. I am sure that Lebanon will do its part and we will do our own.
A more peaceful, a more stable, a more prosperous Lebanon is essential for the whole of Eastern Mediterranean, our immediate neighbourhood and the EU itself.
I am a true believer of Lebanon and the limitless potential of its people. Lebanon and Cyprus have historically supported each other to navigate difficult and turbulent times in our region and I am sure that we are going to do this again. Together.
It is up to all of us to make today, a day of a new, hopeful, and very promising beginning. A day that Lebanon will decisively start heading towards a brighter future. And for this you can rely on the EU, you can rely personally on Usrula and on your neighbours.
Source – Cyprus Presidency
