Brussels, 27/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Lebanon remained strongly engaged with the EU in 2013 thanks to implementation of the second action plan on the neighbourhood policy being started. This was despite the security, political and refugee crisis that affect the Lebanon, and was the observation made by the European Commission on Thursday 27 March in its progress report on Lebanon. The country should continue its reforms - particularly political reforms, the Commission adds.
Beirut should keep in place “an effective government able to address the immediate challenges facing the country” while respecting the role of the parliament. The government should continue the direct dialogue between the political forces on the basis of the Baabda Declaration to address immediate needs emanating from the Syrian conflict. In the Commission's opinion, Lebanon must also obtain a broader future-oriented agreement, including on the election of a new president and issues of national defence. The country should undertake electoral reform before the parliamentary elections in November, and continue to support fully the development of the capacity of accountable and democratically controlled security forces. The reform of the justice system is another challenge, adds the Commission, which refers to the independence of judges, the limitation of the competence of military courts, and the fight against impunity at all levels. Lebanon should also make progress on the management of public finances, especially through the adoption of a national budget, and on the fight against corruption. The Commission also recommends strengthening the protection of human rights and the fight against all discrimination, and it recommends improving Lebanon's response to the presence of Syrian refugees. (CG)