More reform more funds

EU’s commitment to Lebanon in new action plan depends on reform agenda

The EU-Lebanon Association Committee meeting was held (December 13) to review relations between Lebanon and the European Union in the context of the new European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).

The Minister of Economy and Trade, Nicolas Nahas, co-chaired the meeting along with the Managing Director for the Middle East and Southern Neighbourhood at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Hugues Mingarelli.

The new ENP aims to enhance ties with countries wishing to pursue further reforms towards deep democracy and sustainable development, Mingarelli said in a statement briefing the outcome of the meeting. He said that the EU’s engagement will be determined according to the reform agenda of Lebanese authorities.

“On the basis of the new action plan, the EU will determine how best to support the implementation of Lebanon’s reform agenda,” Mingarelli said. He said that EU is keen to support reforms in a number of key sectors which could impact the daily lives of people.

The current EU-Lebanon action plan expires in 2012. The new action plan will be drafted in 2012.

The EU official said that closer ties with the EU can also be achieved through improved mobility for people and enhanced trade relations. However, he said, the latter would require Lebanon to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The EU launched its new ENP in May 2011. The new strategy is based on a ‘more funds for more reform’ approach.

The EU assistance to Lebanon comes from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The EU has allocated the equivalent of $195 million of grants to the country for the 2011-2013 period. Of this budget, $32 million was allocated for supporting political reform, $118 million for supporting socio-economic reforms, and $40 million for the recovery of the economy.