Brussels, 28/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be in Beirut on 29 and 30 September for talks with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Foreign Minister Faouzi Salloukh, Minister for the Economy Sami Haddad and Finance Minister Jihad Azour. “This visit demonstrates the European Commission's commitment to support Lebanon's own reform programme and to lay the foundations for a deeper relationship between the EU and Lebanon, through the European Neighbourhood Policy”, the Commission stressed on this occasion. The Commissioner's visit is the first stage along the road to opening negotiations on an action plan with Lebanon in the context of Neighbourhood Policy. It will be followed by further talks between the EU and Lebanon during October, with a view to defining the arrangements for talks at a later date. “During my visit I will be explaining how we can support the country on its way to a more stable, prosperous and democratic future”, Ms Ferrero-Waldner commented.