Lebanon: European Commission pledges €42 million for early recovery

On Thursday 31 August, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will participate in the International Donor Conference on Lebanon in Stockholm, where she will pledge €42 million as a first contribution to Lebanon's recovery and rehabilitation efforts. In line with the Lebanese Government's requests for assistance, the Commission's package includes technical assistance to the government for the reconstruction process, focussing on infrastructure and environment; support for rule of law and improved internal security; and support for the Lebanese private sector to help relaunch the economy. This package demonstrates the Commission's commitment to provide assistance to Lebanon not only in immediate reconstruction work, but also by laying the groundwork for a longer term recovery through support for crucial political and economic reforms. Tomorrow's pledge brings the total made available by the European Commission in the immediate aftermath of the recent conflict to over €100 million (including humanitarian assistance). The Commission will continue to support Lebanon as the reconstruction programme progresses.

Before leaving for Stockholm, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said: "The key to Lebanon's successful recovery will be the full empowerment of a sovereign and independent Lebanese government. The money we pledge in Stockholm is only one ingredient in a mix that must also include implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and a return to political stability via Lebanon's own National Dialogue. Clearly, the physical challenges facing Lebanon can only be addressed in a meaningful way in the context of a durable peace".

She added:"We are one hundred per cent committed to helping Lebanon in its physical rehabilitation - but a successful long term recovery will also require political and economic reforms. The priorities agreed in the joint EU-Lebanon Neighbourhood Action Plan are more vital now than ever, and in the post-conflict period, the EU will aim to support Lebanon in all aspect of its revival".

The pledge in Stockholm will include:

A Reconstruction Assistance Facility (€10 million) to assist Lebanon in the post-conflict reconstruction process. Help will be provided to the Lebanese authorities to undertake their own comprehensive damage assessment and reconstruction planning, to strengthen the coordination, identification and management capacities for reconstruction projects and to establish a Reconstruction Coordination Mechanism (RCM) covering Lebanese authorities, international institutions, EU institutions and other donors. Although the main focus of the operation will be on infrastructure and environmental concerns, it will also deal with socio-economic aspects, in particular concerning displaced people's needs.

Security and Rule of Law (€4 million). This package will support the Government of Lebanon in ensuring respect for the rule of law and improvement of internal security conditions, in particular strengthening the internal security forces, in line with the objectives of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Reinforcement of the Private Sector Competitiveness (€18 million). Following the destruction and damage to businesses during the conflict, Lebanon requires urgent help to restore incomes. In the longer term, the revival of Lebanon will require a boost to the local economy, and in particular support to SMEs.

A further €10 million is ready to meet other needs identified by the Lebanese government.

Background

Since the conflict between Israel and Lebanese armed militias started in Southern Lebanon, the EU has been actively engaged in alleviating the suffering of the innocent people affected by the hostilities. The EU Commission has already earmarked €50 million for humanitarian aid; it has assisted not only with the evacuation of the around 40,000 EU citizens in Lebanon that wanted to leave the country, but also with the evacuation of some 10,000 non EU-citizens from developing countries that had no means to do it themselves (€11 million); and it is assisting the Lebanese government in coping with the oil spill on its coast following an Israeli attack on one of the oil major refineries.

The EU committed itself at the G8 Summit in St Petersburg and the Rome Conference of 26 July, to take part in the rebuilding efforts of Lebanon, as soon as the hostilities ceased.

For more information on the EU-Lebanon relations:

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/lebanon/intro/index.htm

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