Brussels, 18/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 October, the European Union-Lebanon Association Council stated its resolve to strengthen relations between Brussels and Beirut as part of a renewed partnership. According to a press release, the Association Council meeting was an opportunity to take stock of the achievements to date under the European neighbourhood policy and to define joint priorities for future cooperation. The European and Lebanese sides therefore examined and approved the new action plan, which will form the basis of cooperation for 2013-2015. The plan “will serve as one of the milestones of the EU-Lebanon consolidated and sustainable partnership”, the Council asserted, underlining the importance of “promptly and efficiently” implementing the priority objectives of the action plan.
The Lebanese delegation, led by the minister of foreign affairs, Adnan Mansour, stressed the importance of developing broad bilateral relations so as to obtain more tangible results for the business community and citizens, and highlighted the importance of stepping up cooperation in all fields. It also spoke of its determination to advance in implementing reforms, with European support.
The members of the Association Council also discussed the situation in Lebanon, in the EU, in the Middle East and in Syria. The EU reaffirmed its “commitment to Lebanon's unity, stability, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” and expressed its support for the efforts of the Lebanese government to maintain stability in the country. (CG/transl.fl)