THU 28 - 3 - 2024
 
Date: Jul 6, 2011
Source: The Daily Star
EU: Committment to reform means more aid

By Amanda Calvo
BEIRUT: EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst pledged Tuesday that Lebanon would benefit from the new European Neighborhood Policy, provided it demonstrates a serious commitment to, “deep democracy.”
In May, the EU announced funding increases of almost $1.8 billion for countries on its southern and eastern borders that make genuine attempts to undertake political and economic reforms. This money is in addition to the $8.25 billion in aid already planned for 2011-2013. The funding hike was introduced in response to recent events in the region known as the ‘Arab Spring,’ Eichhorst explained.
“The more and faster a country progresses in its internal reforms, the more support it will get from the EU,” Eichhorst said.


“We’d like to do more with Lebanon … Of course this concept of deep democracy is not new for Lebanon,” nevertheless it is a step by step process, she added.
Lebanon is presently the second biggest recipient of EU aid per capita after the Palestinian Territories, raking in some $316 million annually.
However, fears have been rising that Lebanon could lose large chunks of its foreign aid assistance because of the ongoing political turmoil in the country and controversy surrounding the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).


“It is very important for Lebanon to continue cooperating with the tribunal,” said Eichhorst, who also dismissed criticism that future assistance, earmarked under the new policy, would come with strings attached and have possibly negative repercussions.
Instead, Lebanon is only likely to lose opportunities for “additional funding,” if it fails to significantly move toward thorough democratic reforms, she explained.


There are not necessarily any connections with decisions taken about the STL and Lebanon losing its funding, Eichhorst said, while welcoming the formation of the new government, headed by Prime Minster Najib Mikati.
She also addressed worries concerning the seven Estonian cyclists that were kidnapped in the Bekaa Valley earlier this year. Despite an extensive security operation launched to secure their release, their whereabouts remain unknown.


Eichhorst stressed the efforts that the EU delegation has made since, monitoring the situation closely and working with authorities to try and secure a safe return of the seven men. “We hope this will be solved quickly and very urgently,” Eichhorst said. She did not confirm that this would necessarily affect aid opportunities for Lebanon.
Aid effectiveness has long been seen as a problem in Lebanon, with the donor community urging Lebanon to wean itself off financial assistance and focus rather on political and socio-economic reform, as well as reinvigorating its own economy.
It is very important for Lebanon to, “create jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs” with the aim of reducing widespread social inequalities, said Eichhorst.


Civil society has been designated as a key engine for change and Eichhorst has been stressed the need to increase support in order to help democracy promotion and human rights in the country.
“A thriving civil society is a barrier against authoritarianism. It also helps citizens to play their crucial role in providing policy inputs and holding governments to account,” said Eichhorst.
Eichhorst said the policy is an opportunity to work closely with Lebanon to enact a more lenient mobility package between the EU and Lebanon, allowing for easier movement of tourists, students and entrepreneurs.



 
Readers Comments (0)
Add your comment

Enter the security code below*

 Can't read this? Try Another.
 
Related News
Long-term recovery for Beirut hampered by lack of govt involvement
Lebanon to hold parliamentary by-elections by end of March
ISG urges Lebanese leaders to form govt, implement reforms
Lebanon: Sectarian tensions rise over forensic audit, election law proposals
Lebanon: Adib faces Christian representation problem in Cabinet bid
Related Articles
The smart mini-revolution to reopen Lebanon’s schools
Breaking the cycle: Proposing a new 'model'
The boat of death and the ‘Hunger Games’
Toward women-centered response to Beirut blast
Lebanon access to clean drinking water: A missing agenda
Copyright 2024 . All rights reserved