NNA - Representatives of the European Union and several Lebanese institutions and departments conducted a series of consultations on April 23, 24 and 25 that discussed ways to improve respect for human rights, justice, social policy and security in Lebanon.


These meetings of sub-committees are part of the political dialogue and the existing cooperation between the EU and Lebanon. They fall within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy.


The goal is to advance the implementation of jointly agreed upon new EU-Lebanon Action Plan established in late 2012 reforms.



The EU reiterated its extraordinary assistance to Lebanon in response to the crisis of Syrian refugees (more than ? 93 million from the European institutions and more than ? 50 million from Member States of the EU ).



The need is great and the EU is seeking other ways to provide more support to the country and its people, as well as refugees fleeing Syria.


The EU-Lebanon subcommittee on human rights, democracy and governance, dealt with important issues such as electoral reform, the need to enhance the effectiveness of Parliament and improve the independence and efficiency of the judiciary. Other topics were discussed such as the follow-up measures on international conventions, including those relating to death penalty, torture, gender, disability and missing.


Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, said: "Human rights are a priority of the EU and a constant in all of our actions in the context of our external relations. It is important that Lebanon remains committed to the principles of respect for human rights and democracy so that everyone in Lebanon can enjoy universal rights. "


In this context, a special meeting was held with representatives of civil society on the margins of sub-committees to discuss the situation in Lebanon.


The EU-Lebanon subcommittee on social and migration policies, held April 24, addressed the welfare and health system, as well as regional sustainable development, management of migration flows and mobility.


On April 25, the EU-Lebanon committee on justice, freedom and security addressed the issues of reform of the justice sector and security, as well as measures taken to fight against corruption.


=================R.Z.