EU Announces €1 Billion Aid Package for Lebanon
In a groundbreaking move, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed a €1 billion financial envelope for Lebanon. The announcement came after a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the grants, to be dispersed by 2027, will focus on strengthening basic services like education, social protection, and healthcare, as well as driving economic reforms in the crisis-hit nation. However, a significant portion of €736 million will be earmarked to support Lebanon in accommodating Syrian refugees.
“We understand the challenges that Lebanon faces with hosting Syrian refugees and other displaced persons. It is vital to ensure the well-being of host communities and Syrian refugees,” von der Leyen stated.
The EU also aims to enhance the effectiveness of its assistance by exploring structured approaches to facilitate voluntary returns of displaced Syrians in partnership with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
This initiative follows EU leaders’ decision to deepen engagement with Beirut to shield it from Middle East conflict repercussions and Cyprus’s concerns about a surge in Syrian refugee influx from Lebanon.
Lebanon’s fragile government and economic crisis make it susceptible to regional instability post the Israel-Hamas conflict. With over 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 210,000 Palestinian refugees, Lebanon faces the risk of increased migration towards Europe, particularly through Cyprus.
Cyprus recently halted asylum application processing due to a spike in arrivals from Lebanon, highlighting the urgency of addressing the situation. Lebanese PM Mikati and President Christodoulides of Cyprus welcomed the aid package, acknowledging its significance in addressing the unsustainable refugee crisis.
Christodoulides supported von der Leyen’s proposal for collaborative efforts with UNHCR on voluntary returns and suggested re-evaluating safe zones in Syria to facilitate refugees’ repatriation. The EU is engaging in discussions on this matter.
Additionally, von der Leyen proposed cooperation between Lebanon and EU’s border agency, Frontex, for enhanced information exchange and situational awareness. Both leaders also recognized the security threat to Lebanon from the Israel-Hamas conflict, urging respect for the UN resolution on troop withdrawal from the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The aid package signifies a pivotal step towards addressing Lebanon’s pressing challenges and fostering stability in the region.
