MOET

A renewed EU - Lebanon partnership (2016-2020)

Lebanon has taken a leading role in the discussions and consultations on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The Arab position paper which was delivered at the Beirut conference on the ENP review constituted an important document contributing to the consultation process leading to the revised ENP. Overall, the priorities build on Lebanon’s engagement in the ENP review and set up a framework for political engagement and for short and medium term interventions based on the priorities defined by the Government of Lebanon. Moreover, as partners, Lebanon and the EU face, today more than ever, immediate challenges linked to protracted crises. These challenges require the above mentioned framework to take into account the exceptional circumstances in the region, and their impact on Lebanon.

The Partnership Priorities will aim to promote joint interests and enhance cooperation. They are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. They will also provide a strategic framework for coordinating political, security and cooperation efforts over the next four years (2016-2020).

The partnership's priorities will aim to promote joint interests and enhance cooperation between Lebanon and the EU. They are interlinked and mutually reinforced; they will also provide a strategic framework for coordinating political, security efforts, particularly the cooperation efforts that Lebanon will bring to the European Union for the next four years (2016-2020):
1. The two sides agree to launch an in-depth political dialogue, a mechanism normally allocated by the European Union to major powers such as Russia and China.
2. The EU pledged to continue dialogue with all political parties in Lebanon.
3. Emphasize Lebanon's leading role in the region and ensure that this role is protected and presented as a role model.
4. In the file of Syrian displacement, the European Union recognized that the only solution to this crisis lies in their safe return to their country, including during the transitional period, and pledged to promote this solution in international forums.
5. The European Union's acknowledgment that support for Syrian refugees cannot be done outside the framework of supporting the Lebanese national economy and investing in infrastructure and productive projects.
6. The European Union pledged to use all mechanisms and support funds to assist Lebanon and its security agencies in combating terrorism.
7. Opening the door for Lebanon to benefit from European funds and financial means allocated to the world's priority countries.
8. Agreement on the establishment of a working group on trade exchange in a timely manner, whose task is to address the non-tariff barriers to the entry of Lebanese products into the European market and to assist the Lebanese industrialists and farmers in complying with European import standards.
9. Supporting infrastructure projects and establishing a dialogue on energy sources, especially gas and oil.
The Partnership Priorities and the EU-Lebanon Compact have been adopted on 11 November 2016.

• EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities