Today, Lebanon and the European Union launched the Joint Monitoring Committee, as a new platform for strategic dialogue on cooperation between the two sides, in a move aimed at strengthening national ownership, coordination and mutual accountability in the implementation of European-supported programmes.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Mitri, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bassat, Acting Minister of Finance, the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra de Waal, and Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the European Commission, Henrike Trautmann, in the presence of a number of ministers and representatives of the Lebanese government, the European Union, and the partner agencies implementing European-funded projects.
The first day’s work focused on the European Union’s support for basic services and the most needy groups, especially in the sectors of education, health, social protection, water and sanitation, while reviewing the progress achieved, the results achieved, the challenges facing implementation, and the opportunities available to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of cooperation.
Mitri thanked the European Union and its member states for supporting Lebanon during successive crises, stressing that the partnership must move from managing crises and humanitarian needs to building sustainable institutions and systems that enable the state to carry out its responsibilities.
He stressed that international aid should enhance the country’s capabilities, not replace it, calling for a transition from crisis management to recovery, then to reform and sustainable development, leading to gradually shifting European support towards investment, growth, and creating opportunities.
For her part, European Union Ambassador Sandra de Waal said that the launch of the committee comes at an important moment in the partnership, in light of the renewed momentum for reform and the return of organized dialogue between Lebanon and the European Union, stressing the readiness of the Union and its member states to support the path led by Lebanon, provided that its direction, political leadership, and responsibility for its implementation remain Lebanese.
The committee’s work will be continued tomorrow with a discussion of the European Union’s development cooperation portfolio, including governance, reforms, justice, security, private sector development, job opportunities, agriculture, energy and the environment.
The meetings also discuss the future priorities of the partnership, including economic recovery, investment, energy, digital connectivity, security and skills, within the framework of the Mediterranean Charter.
The value of the European Union’s support for Lebanon between 2021 and 2027 amounts to about 2.1 billion euros, including about 1.6 billion euros in development aid.
