On Monday 26 March, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn called on the Lebanese authorities to make reforms in order to attract foreign investment.
Stating that a donors' conference was organised in Paris for 6 April to support the Lebanese economy, Hahn said that the creation of infrastructure should be "accompanied by relevant reform measures in order to attract foreign investment".
He announced that the EU was ready "to play its role". "For the next 3 years, we are ready to provide a financial support which can trigger €1.5 billion in investment (...) providing the necessary measures are in place", Hahn stated. "This is exactly what international community is looking for", he added. The international community expects sectoral reforms, especially in the electricity and water sector, but the vote on the 2108 finance bill aiming to diminish the budgetary deficit has been delayed.
"The prime minister (Saad Hariri) fully understands what must be done. I am sure this government and the next will do their work", Hahn added at a press conference in Beirut, saying he looked at the future fairly optimistically. Parliamentary elections are planned for 6 May.
Hahn reiterated the EU's strong support for Lebanon. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)