​“Reforms represent the main battle that the new government will fight, after removing the internal and external obstacles that are hindering the formation process.

President Aoun: “The specific nature of Lebanon requires a realistic, participating and pact approach for the formation of the executive branch”.

President Aoun: “Forensic financial audit is the basis in the fight against corruption

that represents a system, which includes officials, politicians, economists, financiers and businessmen”.

President Aoun: “Lebanon welcomes any support provided by the European Union in the formation of a new government based on constitutional principles, traditional participation and the foundations of national reconciliation”.

Borell affirmed the European Union's sustainable support for Lebanon and stressed the requirement to form a new government and launch negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Borell: “Lebanon needs reforms to overcome the current crisis. The country has great human capabilities, and this is an important capital that can be relied upon”.

Borell: “We understand the burden imposed by the presence of the displaced people in Lebanon and appreciate this matter”.

President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, met with the Higher Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and the Vice-President of the European Union, Joseph Borrell, at Baabda palace and informed him of the government formation process, stressing the distinctive Lebanese situation.

The President thanked Mr. Borrell for the European Union’s interest in Lebanon and the aid presented during the difficult times covering of the Beirut port explosion and the crises that burden the Lebanese people, such as the Syrian displacement and Corona pandemic.

In addition, President Aoun asked Mr. Borrell to continue providing aid to Lebanon, pointing to the importance Europe’s assistance in recovering the smuggled money to European banks. President Aoun then stressed the importance of conducting forensic financial audit despite the obstacles placed to hinder the work to combat corruption, which is backed by a system that includes officials, politicians, economists, financiers and businessmen.  

“The forensic financial audit is the first step required in the rescue initiatives and aid programs from the concerned countries and international bodies, without it reforms and the restoration of external confidence in the Lebanese financial reality cannot be achieved” the President indicated.

Then, President Aoun emphasized that “Lebanon welcomes any support provided by the European Union in the formation of the new government, which must be credible and capable of carrying out reforms based on constitutional principles, traditions and practices that have emerged for years which we want to be based on the foundations of national reconciliation”.

Afterwards, President Aoun pointed out that the support Lebanon seeks from the international community is not only in the humanitarian field, but also in development, reiterating Lebanon's call for the return of displaced Syrians to their country, especially after the stable and secure situation in most of the Syrian territories, because Lebanon is no longer able to bear the repercussions of this displacement in all sectors.

For his part, Mr. Borrell assured President Aoun during the meeting, which was attended by a delegation that included members of the Commission and the European Mission in Lebanon, of the continued support of the European Union, focusing on the importance of forming a new government and launching talks with the International Monetary Fund, which would achieve the flow of European aid to support the Lebanese economy.

Borell’s Statement:

“Good morning,

I am very happy to be here in Lebanon again, because a couple of years ago I was here as Foreign Affairs Minister of Spain and I had also the honor to be received by the President of the Republic [Michel Aoun]. But this is my first visit to Lebanon as European Union High Representative.

Lebanon is a neighbor, and close, long-standing partner of the European Union. We are very concerned by the current economic and political crises that Lebanon is facing. I am here today to express, on behalf of the European Union, our solidarity and support to the Lebanese people, but also our concern to their political authorities.

We, in the European Union, are ready to do our part to provide continued support to Lebanon and to its people. In 2020, last year, we provided 333 million euros in assistance to Lebanon. This means almost one million euros every day. Together with the United Nations, we have established a framework to help the Lebanese people directly. We have several other instruments at our disposal to help the Lebanese government, and we are willing to mobilize them as soon as we see tangible progress on the necessary reforms.

We cannot provide this help without progress on the reform process. Reforms that the country needs to undertake to overcome the current crisis. So, let me be clear: we have the resources and the willingness to help more. But in order to help more, we need the process of reforms to continue, to accelerate and to be able to overcome the current situation. Let me put an  example, as soon as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) program will be in place, we will be able to look at concessional lending and guarantees, provide trade measures and a macro-financial assistance program. This will mean an important amount of money and measures that will help boost the Lebanese economy.

But I also want to pass a message of firmness to all Lebanese political leaders. A message on behalf of all the European Union and also of the Member States. The crisis Lebanon is facing is a domestic crisis. It is a self-imposed crisis. It is not a crisis coming from abroad or from external factors. It is a homemade crisis. It is a crisis done by yourselves. And the consequences for the population are very much dire: 40% unemployment rate and more than half of the population living in poverty. These are dramatic figures.

The Lebanese leadership must take its responsibility and adopt the necessary measures without more delay: a government must be formed and key reforms implemented immediately. We cannot understand that nine month after the designation of a Primer Minster, there is still no Government in Lebanon. Only an urgent agreement with the International Monetary Fund will rescue the country from a financial collapse. In order to avoid a financial collapse, Lebanon needs an agreement with the International Monetary Fund. There is no time to waste. You are at the edge of a financial collapse.

I have just had a moment ago a frank exchange with His Excellency President [of the Republic of Lebanon, Michel] Aoun on these matters and I will continue my discussions with other members of the Lebanese leadership, notably with Prime Minister-designate [Saad] Hariri, with Caretaker Prime Minister [Hassan] Diab and with Speaker of the House [of Representatives, Nabih] Berri.

Let me insist. We stand ready to assist, if this what you want. But if there is further obstruction to solutions to the current multi-dimensional crisis in the country, we will have to consider other courses of action, as some Member States have proposed. The Council of the European Union has been discussing options, including targeted sanctions. Of course we prefer not to go down this route and we hope that we will not have to. But it is in the hands of the Lebanese leadership.

I also want to say a few words on the refugees in Lebanon ahead of the World refugee day, tomorrow. We are going to talk about refugees and we have to praise the Lebanese for all this, for the strong support that the Lebanese people have provided to the refugees. Ahead of the World refugee day tomorrow we have to praise this effort and we are very much aware of the burden the refugee population has placed on Lebanon, notably those that came from neighboring Syria. Lebanon has been a place of refuge for people fleeing a savage conflict, for the sake of humanity. From the beginning, the European Union has provided substantive support, to both the refugees and the hosting communities and we are ready to do more. We are ready to support more Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, the countries that are receiving and taking care of the refugees.

Also, on that matter, we trust that the Lebanese authorities will continue to respect the principle of non-refoulement. We will continue providing support for refugees and for Lebanese communities hosting a large part of the refugee population. Let me underline that the economic crisis Lebanon is currently facing is the result of mismanagement, and not linked to the presence of refugees. It is not fair to say that the crisis in Lebanon comes from the presence of refugees.

Another consideration on the Lebanon resources. Despite the brain drain triggered by the crisis, Lebanon has precious human capital. Human capital is the most important capital. And Lebanon can count on it. I am looking forward to my meeting with various activists and civil society organizations –not only with the political leadership and institutions, also with activists and civil society- to listen to their take on the current situation and discuss ways of supporting their efforts.

I think that Lebanon has a vibrant civil society and thanks to this vibrant civil society and to all Lebanese who each day fight for the future of their country, thanks to that, I am convinced there is a way out of the crisis”.

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