Eichhorst statement following meeting with Mikati

Following a meeting of EU Heads of Delegation in the Levant and the Gulf Region with Caretaker Prime Minister Nagib Miqati, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, made the following statement:

"The Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon organised today a seminar of EU Heads of Delegation in the Mashrek and the Gulf region, and Turkey, and the EU Special Envoys for the Middle East Peace Process and Human Rights. Caretaker Prime Minister Miqati kindly hosted us today in line with his long-standing commitment to promote closer ties between the European Union and Lebanon.

We discussed the key challenges facing the European Union and its Southern neighbourhood, including in terms of promoting democratic and effective institutions in response to the people's aspirations in the region to peace, dignity and prosperity.

We also discussed how to address the conflict in Syria and alleviate its impact on the neighbouring countries. In Lebanon, the European Union so far has provided over 90 million Euros to support the refugees from Syria in Lebanon and the Lebanese communities most affected by the crisis. And much more needs to be done. We have agreed to work on the full mobilisation of existing and new resources to help address the crisis facing the country.

The European Union remains a long-standing partner for the region and for Lebanon. Not only on economic and social development and free trade, but certainly in terms of providing security through the presence of international forces like UNIFIL and through support to the Lebanese Security Forces for a peaceful, sovereign and prosperous Lebanon".