Officially your new
@EUinLebanon
Ambassador.
Thank you for the warm welcome, I look forward to working together and continue building the historic relations between Europe and Lebanon.
🔗
Beautiful day spent in the Bekaa with a lovely tour and lunch at one of its many wineries. Pleased to know that it exports its excellent wine to Europe.
#EUinLebanon
Tour d'horizon with MP
@Gebran_Bassil
on the different challenges that Lebanon has to address, the situation in the region and the helpful role that the EU can play.
We are proud to announce an additional €40 million to support education in Lebanon. We will renovate and equip 52 more public schools across the country. We will also support children with disabilities by giving them access to adapted facilities in 110 public schools.
With MP
@TeymourJoumblat
, we discussed the developments across the region. Political will is needed for the country to navigate these challenging times, starting with preventing a spillover of the Gaza conflict to Lebanon, the election of a president and the formation of a gov't.
In my first meeting with Finance Minister Youssef Khalil
@MOFLebanon
, we discussed the worsening economic situation in the country. An IMF programme offers a way out of the crisis, and we are committed to assisting Lebanon on the path to recovery.
Lively evening to launch the 28th European Film Festival in Lebanon! I loved meeting the festival's loyal fans and talking about our favourite movies from Europe and Lebanon. Thank you for sharing this moment with us.
We join the IMF in calling for the swift implementation of needed reforms. Inaction and slow progress is impeding the path to recovery.
#The_time_to_act_is_now
🇱🇧 Four years on from the onset of Lebanon's economic crisis, the Lebanese authorities and parliament have still not undertaken urgently needed reforms. This will weigh on the economy for years to come.
The European Film Festival is about Lebanon and Europe coming together in appreciation of the seventh art. I am proud to see that thirty years on, it has become a cultural landmark in the country and a space to promote creativity and defend freedom of expression.
Full house at the
#EuropeanFilmFestival
short film competition! 12 young Lebanese filmmakers are competing for exciting prizes offered by EU Member States. Curious to see who will be the winners this year 📽
Congratulations to the graduating students of the Arab Master's programme in Democracy and Human Rights at
@USJLiban
. The world needs committed and inspiring people like you, who are not afraid to fight the hard battles for human rights and democracy.
Honoured to meet Deputy Prime Minister Saade Chami and to exchange frankly on an economic reform vision for Lebanon. I look forward to working closely together on its implementation.
The EU works closely with
@MeheLebanon
for children to access quality education in public schools. We understand the magnitude of the crisis and are doing our part by supporting the operations of nearly all public schools in Lebanon, ahead of the school year.
With Interior Minister
@MawlawiBassam
, we discussed recent political and security developments in the country. I also welcomed the Minister’s intention to hold the upcoming municipal elections on time, in line with Lebanon’s democratic principles, traditions and commitments.
I met with Public Works and Transport Minister
@alihamie_lb
today, who presented his vision for reforming critical infrastructure sectors. We are working together with the Ministry on an EU project supporting civil aviation in Lebanon, in light of ongoing challenges.
With Minister
@WalidFayad14
, we discussed the challenges and steps needed for functioning and financially sustainable energy & water sectors. The EU is providing essential support to operate water & wastewater services, as well as accompanying Lebanon’s transition to renewables.
The EU is committed to supporting
@LebarmyOfficial
, a crucial pillar for Lebanon's security & stability. I discussed with the LAF Commander the main challenges and our ongoing cooperation on border management, health services for soldiers, CT and disaster management.
The EU is committed to supporting Lebanon's productive sectors in realising their full potential. With Industry Minister George Boujikian, we discussed the many opportunities for Lebanon to boost its exports to the EU under the EU-LB Association Agreement.
We are working closely with Environment Minister
@nasseryassin
to protect Lebanon's biodiversity and improve solid waste management. We support his engagement to allow local authorities to become self-sufficient providers of critically needed services, for the benefit of all.
Beautiful evening honouring Lebanese cinema, for the closing of the 28th
#EuropeanFilmFestival
. I'm happy to have shared this celebration with young emerging Lebanese filmmakers. A big thank you to
@InstitutFrLiban
@PLinLebanon
and Goethe-Institut Libanon for their prizes!
Discoveries continued with a mesmerising exhibit by Wael Shawky at the Sfeir-Semler gallery, a rich in adventures Lebanese Outdoors Film Festival, and a hike from Jounieh to Harissa with an incomparable lunch as a reward.
Highly interesting meeting with Acting BdL Governor Mansouri discussing BdL’s vision for economic recovery through necessary fiscal, financial and monetary reforms. We look forward to the roll out of the Bloomberg platform as a step towards the unification of exchange rates.
Thank you Minister
@firassabiad
for your leadership in the health sector, despite the many challenges. The EU remains a strong partner and continues to support over 60 primary healthcare centres all over Lebanon, providing medical care to anyone in need of it.
The EU has been working closely with
@mosalebofficial
to provide social assistance to vulnerable Lebanese. We welcome the efforts of the Ministry to make these efforts sustainable and look forward to the final adoption of the national strategy for social protection.
The Delegation of the European Union issues the following statement together with the Embassies of the EU Member States to Lebanon, present in Beirut, on Lebanon’s 80th Independence Day:
#عيد_الاستقلال 🇱🇧
#The_Time_To_Act_Is_Now
Honoured to meet Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian and to exchange on vital issues. Building trust and social cohesion is essential in times of crisis, and interfaith dialogue is key to achieve that.
It was a pleasure to meet His Beatitude Patriarch Rai for a rich discussion on the challenges facing Lebanon and the collective efforts needed for its recovery. The times are challenging, but if the will is there, the crises can be overcome. The EU remains ready to support.
Broad discussion with
@DrSamirGeagea
on internal and regional matters. In this period of great instability, it's more important than ever to reinforce the resilience of Lebanon. This starts with the election of a president, the formation of a govt & the implementation of reforms.
Interesting exchange with Minister
@Amin_G_Salam
on the situation in Lebanon. Our trade agreement provides tariff-free access to European markets for Lebanese industrial and most of its agricultural products. Together we will look into why these opportunities are under-used.
Positive meeting yesterday with General Elias Baissari to discuss our ongoing cooperation with
@LebanonGDGS
. We are working closely to support Lebanon with border management, including technical support for the biometric recognition system at the airport.
In these challenging times, the opening of the
@BeirutChants
Festival was an uplifting reminder of the beauty in the world. Lebanon’s rich cultural scene is part of the soul of this country, and I very much enjoyed meeting some of the people who tirelessly work to preserve it.
Constructive meeting with Agriculture Minister
@Abbas_h_hasan
on a key sector for Lebanon's recovery. We are working together on improving food security for people in Lebanon, by supporting thousands of farmers and farmworkers across the country.
Honoured to meet His Eminence Beirut Metropolitan Bishop Elias Audi. We discussed the situation in Lebanon and the challenges faced by the Lebanese in this uncertain context. We agreed that there is an urgent need for responsible political leadership.
Thanks to the EU's community policing project, 500+ municipal police officers were trained on how to better respond to the needs of their community. We are also rehabilitating the police station, which was damaged by the Beirut blast. Together, we can build back better.
Pleased to meet
@OmsarGov
Minister Najla Riachi and to discuss our engagement on public administration reform. The EU will continue to support Lebanon in its efforts to modernise public administration, fight corruption, and strengthen accountability.
With ISF Head General Imad Othman, we discussed the essential role of
@LebISF
in ensuring security and stability in the country and discussed ongoing EU funded projects and priorities for the future.
I had a frank discussion with Defense Minister
@SleemMaurice
on the challenges facing Lebanon and the support the EU provides to the
@LebarmyOfficial
. Transparency and an open dialogue are essential for our continued cooperation.
A first meeting with Justice Minister Henri Khoury, where we discussed the fruitful relations between Lebanon and the EU in the field of justice and took stock of ongoing cooperation.
Introductory meeting with
@sleimanfrangieh
, we discussed recent developments in Lebanon and agreed on the need for reforms. The EU remains committed to supporting the Lebanese people.
Interesting exchange with MP
@samygemayel
on regional and domestic issues. We agree on the need to shield Lebanon from the conflict. In this period of uncertainty, it is important for Lebanon to elect a president, to start the reform process needed to rebuild the economy.
I had the honour of meeting this week His Eminence Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib and His Eminence Sheikh El-Akl Dr. Sami Abi Al-Muna, and to listen to their views on local and regional developments. The EU stands by the Lebanese people in these challenging times.