Debate: Situation in Lebanon
Date: TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023
Speaker: Janez Lenarčič
Language: EN

Also, this debate comes right before the opening of the seventh Brussels conference on international assistance to the Syrian refugees and the future of Syria.  Lebanon remains an essential partner. Not only in its own right, but also for broader regional stability.  This is why we have been strongly engaged on Lebanon since the beginning of the crisis in late 2019. We deployed an election observation mission during the May 2022 elections, which was headed by the honourable member of this House, Mr Hölvényi. We developed people-centred bilateral cooperation focusing on the most vulnerable. We have maintained our assistance to Syrian refugees and to the Lebanese hosting communities alike. We have increased our humanitarian assistance. I personally visited Lebanon in March and announced a new package worth EUR 60 million in humanitarian aid. The European Union has consistently raised the issue of accountability at the UN Human Rights Council after the tragic Beirut harbour explosion in 2020. And we have mitigated the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine through enhanced food security and resilient support.  But we are very disappointed and concerned at the lack of developments on the Lebanese side. Lebanon’s democratic institutions are grinding to a halt one after the other. First the government, which is in a caretaker capacity since May 2022. Then the president, whose seat is vacant since the end of October. And now even at municipal level, the May local elections have been postponed again and no new date has been set.  All this institutional erosion is unfolding against the background of a collapsing economy, a plummeting currency and the derelict banking sector. And yet there is no real sense of urgency among the Lebanese ruling elite.  A staff-level agreement with the IMF is now more than a year old, and there are no signs of its endorsement by political leaders. In this context, the EU should remain engaged in the Lebanese crisis and ready to use all instruments at its disposal. Member States will review the EU framework of restrictive measures on Lebanon at the end of July, and all options are on the table.  We have addressed Lebanon at the October, November and, most recently, at the April Foreign Affairs Councils to stress the urgency of breaking the double gridlock both institutional and economic. Lebanon cannot afford to compound economic meltdown with institutional vacuum.  The enactment of long-overdue economic and governance reforms under a fully-fledged IMF programme remains the top priority. It is a prerequisite for any possible macro financial support, not only from the EU but also from many other likeminded partners. Consequently swift presidential elections, government formation and municipal elections are more essential than ever.  The situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is also of great concern. The EU recognises Lebanon’s generosity and remains committed to helping Lebanon in hosting refugees. It is important to underline that our assistance actually benefits both the refugees and the Lebanese host communities to an equal extent. For example, when we fund a medical centre for refugees, it will also serve host community.  To this aim, the seventh Brussels conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region is meeting tomorrow to mobilise further international support. Last year’s conference raised a total amount of EUR 6.4 billion. We hope we can secure even more international funding this year.  Finally, the return of the refugees needs to be handled in a cooperative spirit without being politicised and in line with the UNHCR requirements. Notably the principles of non-refoulement and voluntariness. I thank you for your attention and I am looking forward to the debate.