NNA – Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Thursday held a trilateral meeting at the Grand Serail as part of an official visit to Lebanon that for lasted several hours.
The Cypriot president and the President of the European Commission had arrived in Lebanon earlier on Thursday morning from Cyprus and were received by the Prime Minister at the airport, from where they proceeded to the official reception ceremonies.
Prime Minister Mikati, President Christodoulides, and President von der Leyen, held a trilateral meeting followed by extensive talks involving, from the Lebanese side, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Defense Minister General Maurice Sleem, Interior and Municipalities Minister Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee MP Fadi Alameh, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's Ambassador to the European Union Fadi El-Hajj Ali, Director-General of the Presidency Dr. Antoine Choucair, Director-General of the Internal Security Forces Major General Imad Othman, Acting Director-General of Lebanon’s General Security Major General Elias El-Baisari, as well as Mikati's advisors Ambassador Boutros Assaker and Ziad Mikati.
From the Cypriot side, the talks included Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou, Cypriot Ambassador to Lebanon Maria Hadjitheodosiou, Government Spokesperson Kyriakos Kousios, and Director of Intelligence Tasos Tzionis.
On the European side, the discussions included the Head of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon Sandra De Waele and Diplomatic Advisor Fernando Andresen Guimaraes.
In the wake of their trilateral talks, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, held a joint press conference.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati
In his address, Mikati stressed rejection that Lebanon turns into an "alternative homeland" for the Syrian displaced, urging the European Union to find an immediate and radical solution to this predicament.
"We refuse that our country becomes an alternative homeland, and we call our friends in the European Union to preserve Lebanon's value and carry on with solving this issue radically and swiftly," Mikati told a news conference following talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, at the Grand Serail.
Mikati indicated that the meeting was "fruitful," and that it touched on the bilateral relations between Lebanon and the EU states, namely Cyprus, in addition to the situation in the region and Gaza, and the Israeli aggressions.
"I renewed calls upon the EU and the world to pressure Israel to halt its continuous aggression against the Palestinian people, and to endeavor to establish a final, comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian Cause," he said.
"We also renewed calls upon the international community to pressure Israel to cease its persistent aggression against south Lebanon," he added.
"We devoted the largest part of our meeting to the file of the Syrian displaced present on the Lebanese territory as well as to the cooperation between Lebanon, Cyprus, and the EU to address this issue and its direct and indirect repercussions," he continued.
Mikati warned that the "reverberations of the displaced file’s fireball will not be restricted to Lebanon, but they will also reach Europe."
"We believe that Lebanon's security is also that of Europe and vice versa," he said. "Our serious and constructive cooperation to resolve this file constitutes the real stepping stone to stability," he underlined.
Mikati also called the EU to offer aid to the displaced in their country to encourage them to return to their homeland
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
For her part, President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said: “My visit today is a strong testimony of the EU's continued support to Lebanon and its people. This was also the clear message of European leaders at our last summit, and are committed to provide strong financial support to the country in view of the significant challenges it faces. The €1 billion until 2027 will provide much needed assistance to the people in Lebanon and contribute to its security and stability.”
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Mikati for his hospitality, Cypriot President Christodoulides highlighted the longstanding warm relations between Cyprus and Lebanon, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. The support package encompasses various initiatives, including assistance programs, anti-smuggling measures, border control, and economic support, aimed at bolstering Lebanon's capacity to tackle challenges such as border security, citizen safety, smuggling, and counterterrorism efforts.
President Christodoulides commended the leadership of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, whose decisive action facilitated the swift announcement of the support package amidst regional developments. Stressing the symbolic importance of the visit, he affirmed the EU's active presence and ongoing commitment to stand by Lebanon during these challenging times.
Recognizing Lebanon's efforts in hosting Syrian refugees despite immense economic and societal pressures, President Christodoulides emphasized the need for immediate, comprehensive solutions to address the unsustainable status quo. Acknowledging Cyprus's geographical proximity and shared understanding of Lebanon's challenges, he called for closer cooperation with partners and the UNHCR to explore voluntary returns and assess the situation in Syria.
Moreover, President Christodoulides underscored the imperative of fulfilling commitments to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in Lebanon. He advocated for restarting discussions on Partnership Priorities between the EU and Lebanon, enhancing operational cooperation with Frontex, implementing IMF-requested reforms, and addressing accountability issues. Moreover, he pledged Cyprus's support for Lebanon's efforts to elect a new President as a symbol of progress and change.
Highlighting the strategic importance of a peaceful and prosperous Lebanon for the Eastern Mediterranean and the EU, President Christodoulides expressed confidence in Lebanon's potential and historical resilience. He emphasized the shared history of support between Lebanon and Cyprus, envisioning a brighter future through collective efforts.
In conclusion, the Cypriot president called for a new beginning, marked by hope and promise, as Lebanon embarks on a path towards a more peaceful and prosperous future, with the unwavering support of its allies.
=========================R.A.H./R.H.
