EU to give extra $50mln in aid to Lebanon

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BEIRUT: The EU pledged a new assistance package for Lebanon this week aimed at supporting the countrys stability, waste treatment and electoral process, the European Commission said Tuesday.

The European Commission adopted a new 44 million euro [$52 million] assistance package that will contribute to the promotion of stability, economic and social development in Lebanon, a statement said.

This package comes in addition to EU efforts to mitigate the impact of the Syrian conflict on Lebanese society and the economy, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, noted.

The package consists of three programs. The first aims to develop the capacity of national entities to conduct credible, periodical, transparent and inclusive elections in the country. It will strengthen public confidence in the electoral process, thereby contributing to Lebanons democratic consolidation, according to the statement.

The second program is designed to enhance the capacity of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon governorates to process waste, which will also contribute to the establishment of better and environmentally friendly waste governance in general.

The final component is focused on promoting stability in the country through the improvement of socio-economic conditions and the resilience of the populations living along the Litani River.

The EUs top diplomat Federica Mogherini arrived in Lebanon Tuesday for several high-level meetings where she urged Lebanon to remain committed to the dissociation policy renewed by the Cabinet, and reaffirmed the EUs ongoing support for the country.

Prior to her arrival, she made a statement saying that Lebanon can count on EU commitment from the humanitarian aid to development cooperation, but also on economic and security levels. We will also continue to accompany Lebanon in its solidarity toward Syrian people fleeing the crisis. The next Brussels II Conference [expected to take place spring 2018] on supporting the future of Syria and the region will be the opportunity to channel more support from the international community to Lebanon.

Since the start of the Syrian crisis, the European Commission has provided more than 1.2 billion euros to Lebanon, of which almost 1 billion euros has been directed toward host communities and refugees.