Brussels, 24/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 21 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton congratulated Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Salam and his ministers on obtaining the parliamentary approval of the Ministerial Declaration with a great majority of votes (96 out of 101).
Recalling her statement of 16 February immediately following the government formation - a statement in which she had encouraged the government “to address without delay the extraordinary challenges Lebanon is facing, renew strong and proactive governance, take action to maintain peace and security, and prepare the timely holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as foreseen this year” - Ashton reaffirmed her encouragement and expressed her conviction that “the time to act is now”.
Ashton also reiterated the continued commitment of the EU to contribute to meeting Lebanon's growing needs, her spokesperson added. (CG)