EU signs major financing agreements with Lebanon

The EU has signed two new financing agreements with Lebanon, bringing to three the number that enter into force in 2009, worth a total amount of €42 million.  

The latest agreements were signed by the visiting Director for Europe, Southern Mediterranean, Middle East and Neighbourhood Policy at the EuropeAid Co-operation Office of the European Commission, Marcus Cornaro, in the presence of Prime Minister H.E. Saad Hariri.  

The three financing agreements cover:

1.  Reinforcement of private sector competitiveness (€14 million) which aims at strengthening enterprise support, with a specific emphasis on innovation and a further upgrade of the national quality management system. 

2.  Support to local development in Northern Lebanon (€18 million) which will address the poorest region of Lebanon by promoting sustainable development. This project seeks to develop the sectors of agriculture, environment and infrastructure in the North, especially in Akkar. The local population will play an active role in the definition and implementation of priority projects.  

3.  Modernisation of the Lebanese justice system (€10 million). This programme aims at consolidating the Rule of Law by supporting the modernisation of the justice sector. It will support the implementation of the Ministry of Justice's Information Technology Master Plan, improve access to justice and provide specialised training to judiciary staff.  

Encouraging Lebanon to use the European Neighbourhood Policy to help guide and implement its reform agenda and consolidate its relationship with the EU, Mr. Cornaro said: "I am pleased to see for myself the optimism and motivation which has prevailed since the formation of the new Government. I hope this will give a new momentum to EU/Lebanon cooperation." Mr. Cornaro also visited the Palestinian refugee camp of Burj el Barajneh for a stone laying ceremony.

The EU is funding a €4 million project aiming at upgrading the environmental health infrastructure in Burj el-Barajneh and Mar Elias camps, as part of its total ongoing contribution to help the refugees in Lebanon of more than €50 million. (ENPI Info Centre)