Brussels, 22/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - As part of its Action Programme under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the European Commission will provide a total of €42 million in assistance to Lebanon in 2008. The three priorities within the 2008 Action Programme are: (a) reinforcement of private sector competitiveness (€14 million) to strengthen services and financial instruments in support of companies with a specific emphasis on innovation and to further upgrade the national quality management system; (b) support to local development in northern Lebanon (€18 million) which will address the poorest areas of Lebanon by promoting sustainable development, especially in the agricultural sector; and (c) modernisation of the Lebanese justice system (€10 million), to improve case handling in Lebanese courts through the increased use of information technology and to offer training to judges. “After the Doha Agreement and the forming of a government, Lebanon is facing a wide variety of challenges ranging from political reforms in the run-up to next year's elections, restoring the trust of the Lebanese people in its government and administration to reviving the economy,” said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy in a press release issued on Thursday 17 July. Under the European Neighbourhood Policy, the volume of assistance to Lebanon will be €187 million between 2007 -2010. Lebanon was granted €50 million under the 2007 Annual Action Programme. (A.B./transl.rt)