Now Lebanon - EU donates additional funds for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, July 27 2012

The EU on Friday announced that it was donating an additional €5 million through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to assist Syrian refugees who have fled to Lebanon.

"We appreciate the role taken by the government of Lebanon, with the support of the international community, to respond to this unprecedented influx of Syrian refugees into the country,” a statement issued by the EU delegation in Lebanon quoted its envoy Angelina Eichhorst as saying.

“With the influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon some of the most deprived communities in the country are suffering from an additional strain on their already limited resources,” the statement added.

“The European Union is committed to ensure that these host communities in particular, are able to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented influx in the medium to long term.”

Tens of thousands of Syrians have fled violence in their country for Lebanon.

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=423051#

Naharnet - EU Allots €5 Million in Aid to Syria Refugees, Lebanon Host Communities, July 27 2012

The European Union on Friday announced “additional €5 million to support the needs of Syrian refugees and their Lebanese host communities.”

“With the influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon some of the most deprived communities in the country are suffering from an additional strain on their already limited resources. The European Union is committed to ensure that these host communities in particular, are able to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented influx in the medium to long term,” the Delegation of the European Union in Lebanon said in a statement.

“The EU has therefore allocated an additional €5 million to alleviate this pressure, through medium-long term initiatives to improve livelihoods of the local populations of these regions directly, while also addressing the needs of the Syrian refugees in the country,” it added.

This support is to be delivered through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the statement said.

Head of the EU Delegation to Lebanon, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, said: "We appreciate the role taken by the government of Lebanon, with the support of the international community, to respond to this unprecedented influx of Syrian refugees into the country."

She highlighted that "it is only through effective planning, coordination and management, and with continued support of the Lebanese authorities, working alongside the relevant international and local partners, that the needs of the Syrian refugee population and those of host Lebanese communities can be met effectively."

Source: Naharnet

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/48065

The Daily Star - EU willing to help Lebanon provide aid to Syrian refugees, July 24 2012

BEIRUT: The European Union is willing to help Lebanon’s government provide aid to the thousands of Syrian refugees residing in the country, EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst said in remarks published Tuesday.

In an interview with As-Safir, Eichhorst said that the EU was studying means to contribute financially to the government’s refugee aid program, particularly after Prime Minister Najib Mikati appealed for funding.

She said the EU’s involvement also comes after Social Affairs Minister Wael Abu Faour said that Lebanon needs $115 million to help the refugees.

Eichhorst said during the EU foreign ministers’ meeting Monday, they praised Lebanon’s efforts in supporting those escaping violence in Syria and encouraged the government to continue its commitment in this regard.

Eichhorst added the EU has donated 3 million Euros so far to Syrian refugees through U.N. offices and civil organizations.

In its latest report on the status of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said last week that an estimated 18,000 people arrived through the Masnaa border crossing over the span of two days, while it continues to assist over 30,000 displaced Syrians.

Eichhorst also spoke about EU support for Lebanon’s security forces, saying that the matter received much attention and was considered very important during the EU meeting. She also indicated the willingness of the 27 European countries to provide aid to the Lebanese Army based on its needs, adding that every member state would study the Amy’s application for aid.

During her interview, Eichhorst dismissed the possibility of a war against Lebanon by Israel. The Jewish State has stated that it would engage in military action were Syria to hand over its stockpile of chemical weapons to Hezbollah.

Eichhorst also said that the EU is doing the best it can to support Lebanon and its stability.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Jul-24/181763-eu-willing-to-help-lebanon-provide-aid-to-syrian-refugees.ashx#axzz21XL7r0ir

L'orient le jour - L’UE appelle le Liban à aider les réfugiés fuyant les combats en Syrie, July 24 2012

L’Union européenne a appelé hier le gouvernement libanais à aider les réfugiés fuyant les combats en Syrie et condamné les récents incidents à la frontière entre les deux pays.
« L’UE salue les efforts des autorités libanaises pour venir en aide aux personnes fuyant la violence en Syrie et encourage le gouvernement libanais à continuer à assumer ses responsabilités » à ce sujet, lit-on dans les conclusions du Conseil des ministres européens des Affaires étrangères réuni à Bruxelles.
Les 27 se sont dit de nouveau prêts à « continuer à fournir une assistance au Liban pour assumer cette charge ».
Avant la réunion, les ministres français, britannique et allemand des Affaires étrangères avaient plaidé pour que l’Union européenne renforce son aide humanitaire aux réfugiés syriens qui affluent notamment en Jordanie et au Liban.
Jusqu’à 30 000 Syriens ont fui au Liban en l’espace de 48 heures, avait déclaré vendredi à Genève la porte-parole du Haut-Commissariat aux réfugiés de l’ONU lors d’un point de presse.
Selon des chiffres du HCR datant du 18 juillet, 120 000 réfugiés syriens se trouvent en Jordanie, au Liban, en Turquie et en Irak.
L’UE a aussi « fermement condamné les récentes incursions et autres incidents à la frontière syro-libanaise, qui ont conduit à des morts, des blessés et l’enlèvement de civils par les forces syriennes », jugeant « inacceptable toute violation de la souveraineté et de l’intégrité territoriale du Liban ».

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Liban/article/769971/L'UE_appelle_le_Liban_a_aider_les_refugies_fuyant_les_combats_en_Syrie.html

L'orient le jour - L’UE s’engage pour le respect des droits de l’homme dans les prisons pour femmes, July 4 2012

L’Union européenne a lancé hier, à la prison centrale des femmes de Baabda, un projet pour améliorer les conditions de détention dans les quatre prisons pour femmes du pays.

Anne-Marie EL-HAGE

Entassées dans leurs cellules vétustes et mal aérées, elles crient leur désespoir à tue-tête, espérant que la chef de la délégation de l’Union européenne, Angelina Eichhorst, en visite à la prison centrale pour femmes de Baabda et en conversation avec les détenues d’une cellule, fera bouger les choses. « Ouvrez la porte. Écoutez-nous. Venez voir dans quelles conditions nous vivons », réclament-elles.
Sur 73 détenues, seulement 13 ont été jugées. Les 60 autres sont toujours en attente de jugement, certaines depuis plusieurs années. « Je n’ai pas de quoi me payer les services d’un avocat », dit une prisonnière. L’assistance judiciaire ? Elle est quasiment inexistante. Quel avocat, à part quelques idéalistes, voudrait d’ailleurs se charger d’un dossier pour 100 ou 200 dollars ? D’autres prisonnières ont purgé leur peine et attendent un salut qui tarde à venir. « J’aurais dû être libre depuis trois semaines déjà. Mais je n’ai pas de quoi payer l’amende de 300 000 LL. Personne ne se soucie de moi », martèle une détenue.

Lenteur des procédures judiciaires
Voici un aperçu de la dure réalité que vivent les femmes détenues à la prison de Baabda. Une réalité marquée par la promiscuité, la vétusté des lieux, cellules et bâtiment, les conditions difficiles de détention, le manque de réhabilitation et l’extrême lenteur des procédures judiciaires. En l’absence d’une volonté des autorités de réformer le système carcéral, une bonne fois pour toutes, et alors que débutent les vacances judiciaires, pour deux longs mois.
C’est pour tenter d’améliorer les choses dans les quatre prisons pour femmes du pays, qui regroupent au total un millier de détenues, que l’Union européenne a lancé hier, au sein même de la prison de Baabda, le projet « Promouvoir les politiques et pratiques des droits de l’homme dans les prisons pour femmes au Liban ». Un projet d’un montant de 309 521 euros, financé à 80 % par l’UE et à 20 % par l’Agence suédoise internationale pour le développement (SIDA), et mis en œuvre sur une période de 30 mois par l’ONG suédoise Diakonia, en étroite collaboration avec ses partenaires locaux, Dar el-Amal, Caritas et le Rassemblement démocratique des femmes libanaises (RDFL).
Pour l’occasion, une conférence de presse conjointe a été donnée au sein même de la prison de Baabda par l’ambassadrice Angelina Eichhorst, le commandant de la gendarmerie, le général Joseph Douaihy, qui représentait le ministre de l’Intérieur, et le représentant de Diakonia, Rodolph Gebraël. Mais en l’absence remarquée du moindre représentant du ministère de la Justice, censé pourtant devenir l’organisme de tutelle des prisons du pays, d’ici peu, dans le cadre d’un plan quinquennal.

Prisonnières en attente de jugement
Quant au projet lui-même, qui sera appliqué dans les prisons pour femmes de Baabda, de Tripoli, de Zahlé et de Beyrouth, il a pour objectif d’améliorer les conditions de détention des prisonnières, dans le respect des normes internationales. Il consiste, par exemple, à apporter aux détenues un soutien juridique, social et médical de meilleure qualité. Mieux sensibilisées, mieux informées, les prisonnières deviendraient capables de revendiquer leurs droits et de rapporter les abus. Développer les compétences des autorités pénitentiaires, dans le sens du respect des droits de l’homme, est aussi partie essentielle du projet. Il s’agit enfin de proposer des amendements dans la législation, de sorte à permettre l’amélioration des conditions de vie des détenus, de manière générale.
« Nous sommes conscients de l’amère réalité dans les prisons, de la promiscuité, du manque d’espace et de loisirs, des retards dans les jugements, de la lenteur administrative et du manque de budget, a souligné le général Douaihy. C’est pourquoi nous sommes déterminés, dans un souci de réforme, à collaborer avec nos partenaires dans ce projet pour améliorer les conditions de vie des détenues et accélérer les jugements. » Le commandant de la gendarmerie n’a pas manqué de faire part du souci du ministère de l’Intérieur d’être à l’écoute des prisonnières. Il a également salué les associations qui œuvrent au quotidien dans les prisons. Il a toutefois observé « qu’avec tout l’argent qui a été dépensé jusque-là dans les prisons, on aurait pu en construire des nouvelles... ».
À son tour, l’ambassadrice Angelina Eichhorst a exprimé sa satisfaction de pouvoir contribuer à un changement au niveau des prisons de femmes. « C’est un petit progrès », a-t-elle dit, tout en précisant que le projet ne portera « pas uniquement sur le support légal et social aux prisonnières », mais qu’il a pour objectif « de travailler sur une législation des prisons conforme aux normes internationales ». Mme Eichhorst a également déploré le nombre « alarmant de prisonnières en attente de jugement » : « Nous voulons parvenir à ce que la période de préjugement soit aussi courte que possible. Cela doit être réalisable », a-t-elle dit. Et d’observer que le fait d’emprisonner les personnes trop longtemps sans jugement ne réduit pas la criminalité. « C’est illégal, sans compter que cela impose des coûts élevés à la société et au contribuable », a-t-elle conclu.
De quoi redonner un brin d’espoir aux détenues de Baabda, qui n’avaient hier que les mots pour dénoncer l’injustice dont elles sont victimes.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Liban/article/766752/L'UE_s'engage_pour_le_respect_des_droits_de_l'homme_dans_les_prisons_pour_femmes.html

The Daily Star - EU project to improve women’s prison conditions, July 4 2012

BEIRUT: An EU-funded project to improve conditions in women’s prisons was launched Tuesday by head of the EU delegation to Lebanon, ambassador Angelina Eichhorst and Gen. Joseph Douaihy, Commander of the Gendarmerie, at Baabda Prison. The 30-month program has been dubbed “Promoting Human Rights Policy and Practice in Lebanese Women’s Prisons.” It aims at improving the human rights of women detainees in four women’s prisons – Baabda, Tripoli, Zahle and Barbar al-Khazen, Beirut – in cooperation with the prisons’ authorities, through enhancing the legal and social support to detainees, encouraging them to report abuses and promoting regulatory improvements. It will be implemented by the NGO Diakonia, alongside Caritas, Dar al-Amal and Rassemblement Démocratique des Femmes. During the launch, Eicchorst said: “Prisons should contribute to rehabilitate inmates, to educate and reinsert them into society and to set them on the right path to rejoin society as productive and welcome members.” She stressed the high rate of pretrial detention in Lebanese prisons, calling on authorities to do more to improve prison conditions and accelerate trials. 

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jul-04/179299-eu-project-to-improve-womens-prison-conditions.ashx#axzz1zZJnh1LU

The Daily Star - $2 mln EU program to kick off end of year, June 28 2012

BEIRUT: An EU-funded program to enhance parliamentary oversight wrapped up Wednesday, with officials praising its “valuable contribution” and pledging that a new $2 million program will start at the end of the year. The program, whose official name is “Strengthening Technical Capacities of the Lebanese Parliament to perform Effective Legislative and Budgetary Oversight Functions,” was conducted by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and funded by the EU over the past 21 months. It saw the establishment of an Advisory Unit to assist Parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee and Administration and Justice Committee. The program “succeeded in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Parliament, by providing strategic direction, input and advice to various parliamentary committees,” said Elsa Fenet, the Chargee d’Affaires of the EU delegation to Lebanon. 

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jun-28/178549-$2-mln-eu-program-to-kick-off-end-of-year.ashx#axzz1z1aqSqiF

The Daily Star - EU calls for electoral reform in Lebanon, June 26 2012

BEIRUT: The European Union stressed the importance of electoral reform in Lebanon, as it issued its first policy paper on its human rights and democracy work around the world as part of a yearly report Monday.

In a section on Lebanon, the report highlighted the body’s push for electoral reform in the country. Two million euros have been allocated for the project, and the report emphasized the EU’s work toward adopting policy changes from the 2009 elections.

Judicial and prison reform remained primary areas of focus for the EU, according to the report, with the body noting its support for changing the “de facto moratorium on the death penalty into its full abolition,” and for changing the “deplorable situation in Lebanese prisons.”

It noted how the EU’s reports on torture in the country have helped protect human rights defenders.

The EU also supports a draft National Action Plan for Human Rights that Parliament could adopt soon.

Lebanon is a major recipient of foreign funds to prop up its infrastructure, governance and change public attitudes toward human rights. In addition to the EU, the United Nations, the United States and Iran are major suppliers of aid to a variety of sectors throughout the country.

The public policy report is intended to be an account of the EU’s outlook on world affairs and an explanation of its lobbying efforts throughout the world.

It comes in conjunction with a proposal for an appointment of an EU Special Representative on Human Rights.

“The EU will continue to promote freedom of expression, opinion, assembly and association, both online and offline; democracy cannot exist without these rights,” the report states.

Women’s empowerment and children’s rights promotion will be a priority for the EU, the report says.

The paper also says it will continue its long-standing campaign against the death penalty, which it considers a “serious violation of human rights and human dignity.”

Those rights will continue to be a center of the EU’s relations with other nations, but will be “carefully designed for the circumstances of each country,” the report says.

“Human rights are one of my top priorities and a silver thread that runs through everything that we do in external relations,” Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton said after the new policy’s adoption.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jun-26/178211-eu-calls-for-electoral-reform-in-lebanon.ashx#axzz1ymctop8c

L'orient le jour - Environnement : don de l’UE de huit millions d’euros pour la « bonne gouvernance », June 1 2012

Le programme de Soutien à la réforme et à la gouvernance environnementale (StREG), financé à hauteur de huit millions d’euros par l’Union européenne (UE), a été lancé hier au ministère de l’Environnement, en présence du ministre Nazem Khoury, de la chef de la Délégation de l’UE Angelina Eichhorst, du secrétaire général du Conseil des ministres Souheil Bauji, et du président du Conseil du développement et de la reconstruction (CDR) Nabil el-Jisr.
Selon l’UE, le programme StREG « vise à améliorer la gouvernance environnementale » et « à créer de véritables capacités au sein du ministère de l’Environnement en matière de planification et de mise en œuvre des politiques environnementales, en particulier concernant leur application et leur mise en place, grâce à une coordination avec les autres ministères de tutelle ».
Les principaux résultats attendus du programme, toujours selon l’UE, sont le renforcement de l’inspection et l’application des règlementations environnementales, l’amélioration des capacités administratives du ministère, la création et le développement d’instruments fiscaux et la promotion de la politique environnementale au Liban.
M. Khoury, pour sa part, a insisté hier sur l’importance de la mise en place d’un tel projet, qui viendra compléter les efforts fournis au niveau du ministère, et qui ont abouti à l’adoption de plusieurs décrets et projets de loi. Il a également fait remarquer que le montant de ce don est supérieur au budget du ministère, et pourrait « contribuer à améliorer sa situation ». Enfin, il a rendu hommage à l’approche participative privilégiée par l’UE dans la préparation de ce programme.
De son côté, Mme Eichhorst a indiqué qu’« avec un soutien de 8 millions d’euros de l’UE, l’objectif du programme StREG est de donner davantage d’élan à l’amélioration de la gouvernance environnementale au Liban ». Elle a exprimé sa conviction « qu’un cadre environnemental légal fort est une condition préalable à un développement durable ». Elle a également mis l’accent sur l’importance de l’amélioration de la gouvernance dans un cadre de dégradation environnementale qui coûte chaque année au Liban « plus de 800 millions d’euros, sans compter le coût de la dégradation des ressources et la perte d’occasions économiques importantes pour le pays ». Elle a cependant souligné l’émergence d’une volonté politique claire de sauver l’environnement au Liban.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/category/Liban/article/761716/Environnement+:_don_de_l'UE_de_huit_millions__d'euros_pour_la_%3C%3C+bonne_gouvernance+%3E%3E.html

The Daily Star - EU supports Lebanon reforms with 30 mln euros, April 27th 2012

By Hussein Dakroub

BEIRUT: The European Union voiced support Thursday for Lebanon’s democracy, announcing an additional 30-million-euro allocation with the aim of accelerating the country’s reforms.

The announcement was made following talks in Brussels between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who declared that the EU supported Lebanon’s stability as well as political and economic reforms.

In an apparent political boost for the Mikati Cabinet, Barroso announced an additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon with the aim of bolstering its democracy. The amount comes on top of this year’s allocation of 62 million euros to Lebanon.

Barroso said he appreciated Mikati’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon despite the wave of popular upheavals in some Arab countries. He said Lebanon has for long been a partner of the EU and an active member in the EU’s neighborhood policy.

“The EU supports peace and stability in the region. It also supports all those who are committed to the democratic and peaceful path,” he told a joint news conference with Mikati in Brussels.

“Our meeting today was constructive and fruitful. It was an opportunity to convey to Prime Minister Mikati a message of strong support and encouragement to press ahead with the necessary political, economic and social reforms,” Barroso said. He added that the European states are convinced the only way to guarantee long-term stability is through reforms.

“In the past few months, Lebanon has taken important steps toward supporting progress in the implementation of the European political agenda. However, we at the same time believe that more can be done,” Barroso said.

“With the aim of strengthening democracy in Lebanon, I am happy to announce an additional 30 million euro allocation from the SPRING (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) instrument ... This [amount] comes on top of allocation to Lebanon of 62 million euro,” Barroso said. “The message we want to send to Lebanon is very clear. We stand on Lebanon’s side,” he added.

For his part, Mikati said his government was determined to carry out political, economic and social reforms undeterred by turbulence in some Arab countries as a result of pro-democracy popular uprisings. He also defended his government’s policy to insulate Lebanon from the repercussions of the turmoil in Syria, saying most foreign states have praised this policy.

Mikati told Barroso maintaining stability in Lebanon would not prevent his government from carrying out all necessary reforms, no matter how painful they are.

“Lebanon has always constituted an example of tolerance and democracy for regional states. Amid the changes in the Arab world, we must maintain and boost these values,” Mikati said. “Therefore, we are serious about implementing political, economic and social reforms that will ensure long-term stability,” he added.

Referring to 13 months of popular upheaval against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Mikati said: “Lebanon’s position is fully clear. We have taken a decision to dissociate ourselves from what is happening in Syria because of our special relationship with Syria, including historic, economic and social ties. Also, 80 percent of our border is with Syria and our relationship with it goes far back.”

Acknowledging that rival March 8 and March 14 parties were deeply split over the crisis in Syria, Mikati said Lebanon’s interests could not be served by stirring up trouble in the country because of the unrest in the neighboring state.

“While we are dissociating ourselves from what is happening, we do not want to have more differences in our society, which is already divided,” he said. “Today, all states appreciate what we are doing. What is important is to try to maintain stability in Lebanon.”

Later, Mikati, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahas, held talks with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule on projects financed by the EU in Lebanon.

“We have discussed Lebanon’s reform efforts and the EU’s assistance based on the more for more principle,” Füle said after the meeting. “For the EU, it is important that Lebanon advances with reforms since they bring benefits to the people in the country and also open doors for more support and assistance from the EU.

Referring to the additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon, Fule said: “This top-up reflects the EU’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s reforms in the field of institution-building, democracy, including civil society, good governance and human rights as well as inclusive economic growth.”

Earlier Thursday, Mikati met with the president of the Belgian lower house of parliament, Andre Flahaut, and the president of the Belgian senate, Sabine de Bethune. Mikati said his government was fulfilling its humanitarian duties toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He noted the cooperation between Lebanon and international organizations in terms of assisting the 22,000 Syrian refugees in the country.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Apr-27/171583-eu-supports-lebanon-reforms-with-30-mln-euros.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

Daily Star - EU supports Lebanon reforms with 30 mln euros, 27 April 2012

By Hussein Dakroub

BEIRUT: The European Union voiced support Thursday for Lebanon’s democracy, announcing an additional 30-million-euro allocation with the aim of accelerating the country’s reforms.

The announcement was made following talks in Brussels between Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, who declared that the EU supported Lebanon’s stability as well as political and economic reforms.

In an apparent political boost for the Mikati Cabinet, Barroso announced an additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon with the aim of bolstering its democracy. The amount comes on top of this year’s allocation of 62 million euros to Lebanon.

Barroso said he appreciated Mikati’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in Lebanon despite the wave of popular upheavals in some Arab countries. He said Lebanon has for long been a partner of the EU and an active member in the EU’s neighborhood policy.

“The EU supports peace and stability in the region. It also supports all those who are committed to the democratic and peaceful path,” he told a joint news conference with Mikati in Brussels.

“Our meeting today was constructive and fruitful. It was an opportunity to convey to Prime Minister Mikati a message of strong support and encouragement to press ahead with the necessary political, economic and social reforms,” Barroso said. He added that the European states are convinced the only way to guarantee long-term stability is through reforms.

“In the past few months, Lebanon has taken important steps toward supporting progress in the implementation of the European political agenda. However, we at the same time believe that more can be done,” Barroso said.

“With the aim of strengthening democracy in Lebanon, I am happy to announce an additional 30 million euro allocation from the SPRING (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) instrument ... This [amount] comes on top of allocation to Lebanon of 62 million euro,” Barroso said. “The message we want to send to Lebanon is very clear. We stand on Lebanon’s side,” he added.

For his part, Mikati said his government was determined to carry out political, economic and social reforms undeterred by turbulence in some Arab countries as a result of pro-democracy popular uprisings. He also defended his government’s policy to insulate Lebanon from the repercussions of the turmoil in Syria, saying most foreign states have praised this policy.

Mikati told Barroso maintaining stability in Lebanon would not prevent his government from carrying out all necessary reforms, no matter how painful they are.

“Lebanon has always constituted an example of tolerance and democracy for regional states. Amid the changes in the Arab world, we must maintain and boost these values,” Mikati said. “Therefore, we are serious about implementing political, economic and social reforms that will ensure long-term stability,” he added.

Referring to 13 months of popular upheaval against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, Mikati said: “Lebanon’s position is fully clear. We have taken a decision to dissociate ourselves from what is happening in Syria because of our special relationship with Syria, including historic, economic and social ties. Also, 80 percent of our border is with Syria and our relationship with it goes far back.”

Acknowledging that rival March 8 and March 14 parties were deeply split over the crisis in Syria, Mikati said Lebanon’s interests could not be served by stirring up trouble in the country because of the unrest in the neighboring state.

“While we are dissociating ourselves from what is happening, we do not want to have more differences in our society, which is already divided,” he said. “Today, all states appreciate what we are doing. What is important is to try to maintain stability in Lebanon.”

Later, Mikati, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and Economy Minister Nicolas Nahas, held talks with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule on projects financed by the EU in Lebanon.

“We have discussed Lebanon’s reform efforts and the EU’s assistance based on the more for more principle,” Füle said after the meeting. “For the EU, it is important that Lebanon advances with reforms since they bring benefits to the people in the country and also open doors for more support and assistance from the EU.

Referring to the additional 30 million euro allocation to Lebanon, Fule said: “This top-up reflects the EU’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s reforms in the field of institution-building, democracy, including civil society, good governance and human rights as well as inclusive economic growth.”

Earlier Thursday, Mikati met with the president of the Belgian lower house of parliament, Andre Flahaut, and the president of the Belgian senate, Sabine de Bethune. Mikati said his government was fulfilling its humanitarian duties toward Syrian refugees in Lebanon. He noted the cooperation between Lebanon and international organizations in terms of assisting the 22,000 Syrian refugees in the country.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/Apr-27/171583-eu-supports-lebanon-reforms-with-30-mln-euros.ashx#axzz1t3xxZ1UM

Naharnet - European Parliament Members Urge Lebanon to Boost Aid to Syrian Refugees, April 3rd 2012

European Parliament members visiting Lebanon on Tuesday lauded “the efforts undertaken by the Lebanese authorities, their partners, the NGOs and the local population to provide assistance” to Syrians fleeing the violence in their country to Lebanon.

The parliamentary delegation comprises Veronique de Keyser, Member of the European Parliament and Vice President for Foreign Affairs of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S & D), and Ana Gomes, Member of the European Parliament and the foreign affairs coordinator of the S & D Group.

De Keyser and Gomes met with President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, members of the Lebanese-European friendship group at the Lebanese Parliament, and also with representatives of Lebanese civil society, said a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union in Lebanon.

“Meetings are foreseen with the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblat, the head of the Hizbullah parliamentary bloc Mohammed Raad, the head of the (al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc), former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora, as well as with officials and parliamentarians from different political parties,” said the statement.

“The parliamentary delegation sought to inform themselves about the political situation in Lebanon, and to better understand the impact of the crisis in Syria on the country,” the statement added.

They also visited several localities in the region of Wadi Khaled to “better understand the situation on the ground in this border region, including about the humanitarian assistance provided by the Lebanese authorities to Syrian refugees and displaced, in partnership with international organizations and Lebanese non-governmental organizations.”

On her return to Beirut, MEP De Keyser remarked: "Needs are great and could rise further with the arrival of new refugees and displaced persons. All possible means must be mobilized to help these people to the greatest extent possible.”

She called on the European Union to “treat this issue as a priority and to intensify its humanitarian efforts.”

“In this context, the parliamentary delegation wishes to encourage the Lebanese authorities to further increase the humanitarian assistance provided to the refugees and displaced as well as to the population living at the Lebanese border areas, to further strengthen the role of public authorities to this end -- e.g. by extending the mandate of the High Relief Committee to other regions of the country -- and to facilitate the circulation of Syrian refugees and displaced throughout Lebanon,” she added.

The parliamentary delegation also reiterated the commitment of the European Union to Lebanon in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, including the implementation of its agenda of political, economic and social reform.

“In this regard, the parliamentary delegation believes that further efforts need to be made, including with respect to human rights in general and the rights of women in particular. This observation is made in the context of recent discussions concerning domestic violence. The parliamentary delegation supports the efforts of civil society in this field,” said the statement of the Delegation of the European Union.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/35611