Lebanese President Expresses Desire for Strategic Partnership with EU
Beirut, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday reaffirmed Lebanon’s aspiration to sign a strategic partnership with the European Union, emphasizing that Lebanon is “a key partner of the EU in the region.” In a statement, the presidential office said that during his meeting with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, President Aoun highlighted the interconnection between Lebanon’s stability, European stability, and regional stability.
According to the statement, Aoun noted that the partnership between Lebanon and the EU is based on “deep historical and cultural ties and shared values, foremost among them respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and cultural diversity.”
He welcomed the European Council’s decision to deploy a civilian-military mission to Lebanon under the Common Security and Defence Policy, tasked with providing advice, training, and equipment. He expressed appreciation for the EU’s efforts to prevent a vacuum in the post-United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) period.
Aoun said Lebanon “relies on EU support to find an alternative arrangement, with ongoing consultations to that end, noting that Lebanon wishes any such force to operate under the UN flag.”
He stressed that the Lebanese Armed Forces are fully carrying out their duties in areas south of the Litani River, in implementation of the Framework Agreement, which Israel continues to refuse to implement, persisting in its attacks on southern towns and villages through shelling, destruction, and displacement, resulting in further casualties and injuries.
Aoun stated that Lebanon is working with the agreement’s sponsor, the United States, and friendly countries to pressure Israel to implement the Framework Agreement, as it resulted from negotiations conducted by Lebanon with Israel under US sponsorship, based on the conviction that diplomacy and negotiation are the alternative to war, from which Israel cannot achieve its objectives. He pointed out that the agreement is “the only means to end the state of hostility between the two countries.”
He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to implementing economic reforms and adopting the financial gap law, which would pave the way for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund. He thanked the EU for the humanitarian aid provided to Lebanon, while stressing the need for sustained European support to enable the state to rebuild devastated areas.
The presidential office conveyed the European official’s readiness for the EU to provide necessary assistance to Lebanon, particularly to the army, internal security forces, and entities dealing with social and humanitarian issues. (End) A.Y.B./T.A.B.
