Brussels, 05/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 4 April, the vice president of the S&D for foreign affairs, Véronique De Keyser, called on the European Union to tackle the dossier on Syrian refugees and displaced persons “as a priority” and to step up its humanitarian efforts. On a visit to Lebanon, she also called on the local authorities to increase the humanitarian assistance provided to these refugees and displaced persons and to the Lebanese populations on the borders. “Needs are great and could increase still further when new refugees and displaced persons arrive. All efforts must be made to help these people as much as possible”, she explained.
De Keyser called for the High Relief Committee's to be extended to other regions of Lebanon and for the circulation of Syrian refugees and migrants persons to be facilitated throughout the country.
“Impressed by the solidarity” of the Lebanese, the S&D MEP paid tribute to the efforts made by the authorities, their partners, NGOs and the local populations to provide assistance to these refugees and displaced persons, “when the inhabitants of this region are themselves living under extremely tough economic conditions”.
Véronique De Keyser met the President of the Republic Michel Sleimane, the Prime Minister Nagib Mikati, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, members of the Europe-Lebanon friendship group at the Lebanese Parliament and representatives of civil society. She also visited the border region to take stock of the situation on the ground. The Lebanese Minister for Social Affairs reports that more than 15,000 Syrian refugees have reached the country, but various associations claim that the figure is in excess of 26,000. (CG/transl.fl)