European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, visited Beirut on May 2 accompanied by President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. During the visit, they met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and discussed the domestic and regional challenges faced by Lebanon and how the EU could best support the country and its people. Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU will provide financial assistance worth €1 billion from 2024 to 2027.
This visit followed the special meeting of the European Council on April 17-18 where the EU confirmed its determination to support vulnerable groups in Lebanon including refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities. The EU also committed to strengthening support for the Lebanese Armed Forces to combat human trafficking and smuggling. The European Council reaffirmed the need to achieve safe, voluntary, and dignified returns of Syrian refugees as defined by UNHCR.
The EU has provided over €3 billion of support to Lebanon since 2011, with €2.6 billion allocated to support Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon. The latest funding will strengthen basic services such as education, social protection, and healthcare for the people of Lebanon. It will also support urgent economic, financial, and banking reforms. Furthermore, the funding will be used to provide equipment and training to the Lebanese Armed Forces and other security forces to manage borders effectively and fight against smuggling.
“My visit today is a strong testimony of the EU’s continued support to Lebanon and its people. This was also the clear message of European leaders at our last summit, and are committed to provide strong financial support to the country in view of the significant challenges it faces. The €1 billion until 2027 will provide much needed assistance to the people in Lebanon and contribute to its security and stability,” President von der Leyen said.
