Brussels, 05/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 4 September, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle announced fresh aid of €22 million for Lebanon, at the end of his meeting with Lebanon's ambassador to the EU, Rami Mortada.
Of this aid, €10 million - which is part of the annual action plan 2013 - will be to strengthen social cohesion, helping the Lebanese central administration in charge of statistics to produce better quality social statistics and to improve the quality of social services offered by the national social security fund.
Another €8 million will be used to help the Lebanese security sector support national cohesion and stability, improving the effectiveness and democratic control of the Lebanese security agencies in parallel with respect for human rights and the rule of law. The remaining €4 million is intended to improve the housing conditions and health situation of the Palestinian refugees in the country, with the rehabilitation of shelters and healthcare centres. “This new support responds to the current urgent needs of the Lebanese society which is facing increasing social tensions, especially due to the economic outlook and the instability caused by the crisis in Syria”, Füle said in his press release.
Like High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on 23 August (see EUROPE 10907), Füle firmly condemned the terrorist bombings which recently took place in Tripoli and Beirut. “These acts are unacceptable”, he said. “The international community must help Lebanon to carry the heavy burden caused by the bloodshed in neighbouring Syria. We stand by Lebanon and are committed to its stability, unity and sovereignty”, Füle reiterated. (CG/transl.fl)