NNA - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Rajji, on Thursday received the Director General for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Commission, Stefano Sannino, chairing a delegation from the European Union, which also included the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra de Waal.
Minister Rajji held with the delegation a tour d’horizon on the situation in Lebanon and the broad region, as well as on the bilateral relations between Lebanon and the European Union.
Minister Rajji affirmed to the European delegation Lebanon's strong rejection of Israel's ongoing aggression, its daily attacks on the south, and its renewed targeting of the capital Beirut. Rajji also reiterated his call for the European Union and the international community to exert the utmost pressure on Israel to compel it to withdraw from all Lebanese territories it occupies, to cease its attacks and violations of Lebanon's sovereignty, and to commit to the declaration of a cessation of hostilities and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
The meeting also touched on the issue of Syrian displacement in Lebanon. Minister Raji emphasized the "need to launch a process for their rapid return to Syria and prepare the ground for this return," expressing hope that the European Union would "reconsider its approach to this issue following the major changes that have occurred in Syria."
Rajji also discussed with the European delegation the economic, financial, and administrative reforms that Lebanon has begun to implement, reiterating the Lebanese government's determination to proceed with these reforms.
Discussions also touched on ways to develop the strategic partnership between Lebanon and the European Union and to advance the bilateral relations. Minister Rajai affirmed "Lebanon's cooperation with the EU to develop the new Mediterranean Charter, which aims to strengthen strategic cooperation between the European Commission and the countries of the southern and eastern Mediterranean."
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