BEIRUT: Lebanon will be allowed to participate in European Union programs originally intended exclusively for member states following an agreement signed in Brussels Monday, the Foreign Ministry announced.
“Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini signed a special protocol that allows Lebanon to participate in EU programs restricted to member states,” said a statement released by Bassil's media office.
The protocol, which allows Lebanon to participate in 12 programs, was signed at the European Council’s headquarters in Brussels following an EU-Lebanon Association Council meeting Monday.
The statement did not specify what the 12 programs were or what they would entail. But the general theme of the meeting revolved around security, political and economic ties between Lebanon and the EU.
"We had a day of fruitful talks between Lebanon and the European Union," Bassil said in a joint news conference with Mogherini after the meeting.
“We discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, which witnessed a remarkable development recently.”
Bassil noted that the meeting took stock of achievements of the EU-Lebanon partnership and defined joint priorities for future cooperation.
The future prospects for cooperation, according to the Lebanese foreign minister, will commensurate between the capabilities of Lebanon and the EU.
Mogherini said the EU was willing to increase its support to Lebanon amid its security threats.
“We are aware of the severity of security challenges Lebanon is facing because of the Syrian crisis,” she said, adding that the protocol agreement for the 12 programs contributes to achieving reform.
Economy Minister Alain Hakim and Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian attended Monday’s meeting alongside Bassil.
In October 2014, Hakim and former European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule inked a memorandum of understanding setting the priorities and financial allocations for EU-Lebanon cooperation for 2014-2016.
At the time, officials said the focus of EU-Lebanese cooperation for 2014-16 would center on three priority sectors: justice and security system reform; social cohesion, sustainable economic development and vulnerable groups; and sustainable and transparent management of energy and natural resources.
At the news conference, Mogherini said the EU Neighborhood Policy seeks to turn Lebanon into a "safe humanitarian zone."
During the Lebanese-EU association meeting, Hakim called for increasing support to the Army through military aid, and distinguishing between aid pledged to Syrian refugees and host communities.
He also urged the EU to involve the Lebanese government in the management of aid given to refugees.
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