Lebanon and the European Union discuss future priorities for bilateral partnership
Beirut, Sept 3 (KUNA) -- Lebanon and the European Union today discussed the future priorities of their partnership, particularly in the fields of economic recovery, investment, energy, digital connectivity, and security. This took place during a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee between Lebanon and the EU, a new platform for strategic dialogue on cooperation between the two sides, held at the Council of Ministers building. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Mitri and Acting Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Al-Bassit, representing the Minister of Finance, alongside EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra Douval and Henrike Trautmann, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the European Commission.
The Lebanese Council of Ministers said in a statement that the first day’s proceedings focused on the EU’s support for essential services and the most vulnerable groups, including education, health, social protection, water, and sanitation. Progress made and results achieved were reviewed, challenges to implementation were discussed, and opportunities to enhance the sustainability, effectiveness, and impact of cooperation were identified.
Speaking at the meeting, Mitri expressed gratitude to the EU and its member states for their continuous support to Lebanon over the years, particularly during successive crises, and for their contribution to protecting vulnerable groups and maintaining essential services. He stressed that Lebanon “cannot remain a prisoner of crises, humanitarian needs, and managing fragility,” adding that the partnership with the EU “must help us build sustainable institutions and systems that enable the Lebanese state to fulfill its responsibilities, as international aid should strengthen state capacities, not replace them.”
He added, “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, and enhanced Lebanese ownership and responsibility, along with a gradual shift from aid toward investment and growth.” He viewed European support as a “catalyst for investment, economic recovery, and job creation.”
For her part, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra Douval said, “Since the political developments at the beginning of 2025, we have witnessed renewed momentum for reform and a welcome return to structured policy dialogue between Lebanon and the EU.” She added, “We have an opportunity to discuss and review the policy and reform priorities identified by Lebanon across various sectors of our cooperation,” affirming the EU’s and its member states’ readiness to support this Lebanon-led path. She emphasized that defining the direction of reform, its political leadership, and the responsibility for its implementation must remain Lebanese.
The Joint Monitoring Committee was established at the initiative of the Lebanese Council of Ministers to strengthen national ownership, coordination, and mutual accountability in the implementation of EU-supported programs. Representatives of the Lebanese government and the EU participated in today’s meeting, alongside implementing partners of EU-funded projects, including non-governmental organizations and UN agencies.
Tomorrow, the Joint Monitoring Committee will continue its work by discussing the EU’s development cooperation portfolio, which includes governance, reforms, justice, security, private sector development, employment, agriculture, energy, and the environment.
The statement said the meetings offer an opportunity to explore future partnership priorities between Lebanon and the EU, including within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean, particularly in economic recovery, investment, energy, digital connectivity, security, and skills. It noted that the EU is a “reliable and long-term partner for Lebanon through the political, financial, and institutional support it provides,” pointing out that EU support to Lebanon for the period 2021–2027 amounts to approximately $2.44 billion (€2.1 billion), including about $1.86 billion (€1.6 billion) in development aid. (End) A.Y.B./T.M.A.
