President
Aoun: “Preparations are underway to hold parliamentary elections on time, in an
atmosphere of freedom and transparency”.
President
Aoun: “Dealing with the dispute which has arisen with the KSA and number of
Gulf states continues at various levels. We hope to reach appropriate solutions”.
President
Aoun: “The Cabinet continues to prepare the negotiation process with the IMF,
on the economic recovery plan”.
Santos
renewing EU support for Lebanon: “Our visit constitutes an opportunity to learn
more about the economic crisis in Lebanon and to discuss the preparations for
concluding an agreement with the IMF”.
Santos
stressed the need to activate the Cabinet’s work to promote reforms and fight
corruption: “We stress holding parliamentary elections and investigations into
the Beirut Port blast”.
President of
the Republic, General Michel Aoun, received President of the European
Parliament delegation for relations with Middle Eastern countries, Ms. Isabel
Santos, accompanied by a delegation, today at the Presidential Palace.
The President
informed the delegation that parliamentary elections will be held on time next
spring in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and preparations
are underway so that elections take place in an atmosphere of freedom,
democracy and transparency.
Moreover, the President
stressed that “The crises which took place in Lebanon had negative
repercussions on the economy and the state’s ability to fulfill its
obligations, in addition to Lebanon being subjected to an economic and
commercial blockade as a result of the Syrian war which resulted and influx of
Syrians, whose numbers exceeded one million and 850 thousand”.
“In addition to
the complications of Corona pandemic and the Beirut Port blast, and the
measures which Lebanon is currently subjected to by several Gulf states”
President Aoun said.
President Aoun
also indicated that dealing with the dispute which arose with the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia and several Gulf states continues at various levels, hoping to reach
appropriate solutions.
President Aoun
then asserted that the government proceeds with preparations for negotiations
with the International Monetary Fund on an economic recovery plan which will
help rebuild the national economy on a productive basis, and will contribute to
achieving the reforms which Lebanon desires, and the IMF will help in
implementation.
“Anti-corruption
process is ongoing, and practical steps have begun with forensic audit, which
will determine responsibilities to take appropriate measures against those
responsible for any abuses which occurred and led to a decline in the financial
situation in the country, which we are witnessing today” the President stated.
Moreover, the
President addressed the role of the Lebanese youth in shaping the future of
Lebanon, and stressed the importance of woman’s full participation in Lebanese
political life, pointing out that the Lebanese regime needs to be developed.
President Aoun emphasized that investigations into the Beirut Port explosion
are continuing and will not stop until the reasons for the blast are revealed, and
responsibilities are determined.
Finally,
President Aoun praised the existing cooperation between Lebanon and the
European Union, and thanked the political support he receives from the EU, in
addition to the humanitarian and social aid.
For her side,
Mrs. Santos had briefed the President on the purpose of the delegation’s visit
to Beirut, and reiterated EU support for Lebanon and the Parliament’s follow-up
on Lebanese affairs.
Santos also
noted the importance of holding Lebanese parliamentary elections.
Statement:
After the
meeting, Mrs. Santos made the following statement:
“I am very glad
with this meeting. It is a great pleasure and honor for me as the President of
this delegation.
Our visit will
last for two days, during which we will meet with officials and Lebanese
authorities, as well as other representatives of the civil society and those
responsible for projects which are funded by the EU. It is an opportunity for
us to follow-up on these projects and to ensure that the funds allocated by the
EU to finance them and spend properly, especially as these projects aim to
improve and provide better living conditions for Lebanese citizens.
In these two
days, we will address several issues, such as the crisis that is afflicting
Lebanon, in terms of economic, social and political terms, as well as the
health crisis due to the Corona pandemic, because the safety of others is our
safety.
We are here in
Lebanon to learn more about the economic crisis and other aspects of the crisis
and to discuss preparations for concluding an agreement with the International
Monetary Fund, and this is an urgent matter. We also look forward to the work
of the cabinet and for it to be able to work and be more effective in order to
promote the reforms which the country needs.
We are also
interested in learning about the fight against corruption, the issue of
elections and the investigation into the Beirut Port blast. These are the most
important topics that we will address in addition to other issues during the
two days of the visit, within the framework of cooperation between the European
Union and Lebanon, as well as the country’s geopolitical situation and the
relationship between Lebanon and the European Union.
I apologize for
not having enough time to conduct a dialogue with you as usual, especially
since I attach great importance to dialogue with journalists. You are important
in conveying our message to the citizens, and we are interested to hear from
you that you know a lot about Lebanon and convey the opinions of citizens as
well, and you are also observers.
Sorry again for
having another meeting, but I promise you there will be a press conference
tomorrow and I hope to see you where I will have plenty of time and will gladly
answer all questions”.