On Tuesday 15 September MEPs called on the EU to support Lebanon, whose capital was hit by a violent explosion on 4 August, and as the country faces a serious economic, social and health crisis.
However, such support cannot be given in the absence of reforms and an active fight against corruption, MEPs warned in a plenary debate, while calling on the EU not to leave the country in the hands of Iran, Syria or Turkey.
Be it the Spanish MEP Antonio López-Istúriz White (EPP), the Portuguese MEP Isabel Santos (S&D), the French MEP Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe) or the Italian MEP Elena Lizzi (ID), all stressed the need to fight corruption in the country. “We need to control by whom and how the funds will be used”, Ms Lizzi said, with MEPs calling for the funds to go directly to those who need them. Ms Loiseau said the EU should also look into the ill-gotten Lebanese assets that lie dormant in European banks.
MEPs also called on Lebanon to reform and modernise. They stressed that the Lebanese do not trust their ruling class.
Speaking to MEPs, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, stressed that the EU was determined to help the Lebanese people. “We want to see the formation of a capable, representative and accountable Lebanese government soon”, he said, also stressing the need for a credible reform programme, including concrete measures to reform the financial system, the electricity sector and public procurement and to strengthen the fight against corruption. “We will continue to apply safeguards to ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries”, Borrell said. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)