New European Neighborhood Policy

EU to promote economic development 27 NGOs benefit from €15 million

July 12, 2011- Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, presented the new European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).

Eichhorst said in response to the challenges and opportunities raised by the transformations in the Arab world, the EU will provide particular support to partners committed to building a deep democracy, enhance its assistance to civil society as an agent of change, and increase its cooperation aiming at reducing social inequalities.

Additional funding of up to €1.24 billion for the neighborhood, on top of the €5.7 already planned for 2011-2013, will be allocated to support partner countries, including Lebanon, in the political and economic reforms they want to undertake.
"Our support to Lebanon in this matter is not new. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to push forward the independence of the judiciary, as well as electoral, penitentiary and administrative reforms", Eichhorst said.

The new ENP foresees increased support to civil society to promote democracy and human rights. The European Union has already established strong ties with the Lebanese civil society, which is particularly dynamic: A total amount of €15 million is currently allocated to 27 NGOs. The creation of a Civil Society Facility and of a European Endowment for Democracy will enable to strengthen the partnership between the EU and the civil society, according to Eichhorst.

She said the EU intends to encourage sustainable and inclusive economic development in its neighborhood. "This is already the basis of our action in favor of an economic development that should benefit all Lebanese", the EU Ambassador said. Supporting business incubators, funding loans for job creation in rural areas, or promoting decentralization in partnership with municipalities, are examples of the EU's action.

However, she said, a number of economic and social reforms are now necessary to strengthen the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the country.