Luxembourg, 22/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 22 June, the EU foreign affairs ministers strongly reiterated their call to all political forces in Lebanon “to take decisive action” to elect a new president, and to put Lebanon's stability and the national interest before partisan politics. Lebanon has now been without a president for over a year (see EUROPE 11321). “This protracted presidential vacuum increasingly poses severe risks for the country as a whole”, the Council states in its conclusion.
For the EU foreign affairs ministers, the institutional stalemate is increasingly affecting Lebanon's ability to meet the security, economic and social challenges resulting from the conflict in Syria. “As the security situation continues to deteriorate particularly at the Eastern border, the costs of the institutional stalemate are growing by the day”, the ministers state. The Council reiterates the importance of the institutions' continuity - particularly in the security and military sector. “Lebanese political forces have a major responsibility in this regard”, the Council states.
The Council calls on all the members of the parliament to convene to elect a president “without further delay”, in line with the constitution. It also calls on all the parties to enable the government to function properly, “including appointments to major public offices”.
In addition, the EU urges the parliament to meet for urgent legislative matters, “including the implementation of international aid”, and it recalls that the implementation and coordination of this aid requires effective decision-making by the government. The institutional stalemate also has a negative impact on the country's economy and it is “increasingly difficult” for donors to operate in Lebanon “in such conditions”, the EU foreign ministers warn. The EU encourages Lebanon to advance on key economic and social reforms, “including the adoption of the national budget”. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)