- 10
- May
- 2024
De Waele: Repatriation of Syrians Is an Ambition, Not a Plan
modified on 12 May 2024 à 19:16 Read : 4 minute(s) A A A
The European Union (EU) seems to be on the defensive, especially since the uproar caused by the announcement last Thursday of a one-billion-euro aid package to help Lebanon put up with the burden of Syrian migrants.
In a second attempt (the first being yesterday, May 9, on the occasion of Europe Day) to justify the granting of this sum over a period of 4 years, the EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, stated at a press conference on Friday that the European initiative for the return of Syrians to their country cannot be termed a "plan." Therefore, "no deadline has been set in this regard," she said.
"It is not a 'voluntary return plan' per se," De Waele declared, responding to a question from This Is Beirut (TIB). Rather, she explained, it is "efforts aimed at creating the necessary conditions for it." That is why "we plan to work with Lebanon to stimulate this process and create all the dynamics for return in collaboration with the security forces," she noted.
"It is in this perspective that we are in the process of studying the report submitted to us by the General Security on the situation of the Syrian presence in Lebanon," especially those who are in irregular situations, she added.
Repatriation should be done, De Waele insisted repeatedly, "in accordance with international humanitarian rules." In this context, one wonders what status, in the eyes of the EU, the laws stating that Lebanon is a transit country have. "If Lebanon has not ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, this does not mean that it should not adhere to international humanitarian rules. There is a commitment from the Lebanese government to adhere to these principles," she pointed out in response to another question from TIB.
While awaiting a (possible?) repatriation of Syrians, the granted aid will be distributed over approximately 30 projects, mainly targeting the education and health sectors, but also providing access to clean water and ensuring social protection.
These programs will be extensively studied with the various relevant ministries, and will benefit both Syrians and a portion of Lebanese citizens. According to figures provided by the EU ambassador to Beirut, "75,000 families will benefit from this aid." She also indicated that "55% of Lebanese citizens access health centers 'supported' by the EU, and in Tripoli, 75% of them turn to these centers for treatment."
Through this program, the EU intends, still according to De Waele, "to contribute to the fight against corruption, terrorism and human trafficking, and to support the army and security forces in controlling the borders with Syria."
All these projects are, as the EU ambassador stated, in "continuity of our commitment." However, their funding will not pass through the government (a decision made since the beginning of the crisis in Lebanon in 2019). The money will go directly to the beneficiaries of the projects to be implemented.
She also emphasized the need for the Lebanese government and security forces to assume their responsibilities in managing the crisis at all levels. "Political leaders must make efforts to enable Lebanon to overcome its crisis, especially the one related to the banking sector. Hence the importance of implementing the required reforms in this area." For their part, the army and security forces, who will benefit from European training and logistical support, must also perform their duties and be accountable for the reasons behind infiltration attempts. "Let's not forget that it is not the EU that is at the borders and conducting control work on the ground."
Aid within Syria
De Waele affirmed that, contrary to popular belief, the EU provides considerable aid to Syrians in their country, aid that exceeds three times that granted to Lebanon. This statement can however be called into question. According to a diplomatic official within the EU, questioned last Friday by TIB, the aid, although provided to Damascus, is provided "with difficulty," "because of the regime in power." It must be said that maintaining Bashar al-Assad and his regime at the helm of the country, along with US sanctions, would also make it difficult to provide aid on the scale described by De Waele.
In a second attempt (the first being yesterday, May 9, on the occasion of Europe Day) to justify the granting of this sum over a period of 4 years, the EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, stated at a press conference on Friday that the European initiative for the return of Syrians to their country cannot be termed a "plan." Therefore, "no deadline has been set in this regard," she said.
"It is not a 'voluntary return plan' per se," De Waele declared, responding to a question from This Is Beirut (TIB). Rather, she explained, it is "efforts aimed at creating the necessary conditions for it." That is why "we plan to work with Lebanon to stimulate this process and create all the dynamics for return in collaboration with the security forces," she noted.
"It is in this perspective that we are in the process of studying the report submitted to us by the General Security on the situation of the Syrian presence in Lebanon," especially those who are in irregular situations, she added.
Repatriation should be done, De Waele insisted repeatedly, "in accordance with international humanitarian rules." In this context, one wonders what status, in the eyes of the EU, the laws stating that Lebanon is a transit country have. "If Lebanon has not ratified the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, this does not mean that it should not adhere to international humanitarian rules. There is a commitment from the Lebanese government to adhere to these principles," she pointed out in response to another question from TIB.
While awaiting a (possible?) repatriation of Syrians, the granted aid will be distributed over approximately 30 projects, mainly targeting the education and health sectors, but also providing access to clean water and ensuring social protection.
These programs will be extensively studied with the various relevant ministries, and will benefit both Syrians and a portion of Lebanese citizens. According to figures provided by the EU ambassador to Beirut, "75,000 families will benefit from this aid." She also indicated that "55% of Lebanese citizens access health centers 'supported' by the EU, and in Tripoli, 75% of them turn to these centers for treatment."
Through this program, the EU intends, still according to De Waele, "to contribute to the fight against corruption, terrorism and human trafficking, and to support the army and security forces in controlling the borders with Syria."
All these projects are, as the EU ambassador stated, in "continuity of our commitment." However, their funding will not pass through the government (a decision made since the beginning of the crisis in Lebanon in 2019). The money will go directly to the beneficiaries of the projects to be implemented.
She also emphasized the need for the Lebanese government and security forces to assume their responsibilities in managing the crisis at all levels. "Political leaders must make efforts to enable Lebanon to overcome its crisis, especially the one related to the banking sector. Hence the importance of implementing the required reforms in this area." For their part, the army and security forces, who will benefit from European training and logistical support, must also perform their duties and be accountable for the reasons behind infiltration attempts. "Let's not forget that it is not the EU that is at the borders and conducting control work on the ground."
Aid within Syria
De Waele affirmed that, contrary to popular belief, the EU provides considerable aid to Syrians in their country, aid that exceeds three times that granted to Lebanon. This statement can however be called into question. According to a diplomatic official within the EU, questioned last Friday by TIB, the aid, although provided to Damascus, is provided "with difficulty," "because of the regime in power." It must be said that maintaining Bashar al-Assad and his regime at the helm of the country, along with US sanctions, would also make it difficult to provide aid on the scale described by De Waele.
Natasha Metni Torbey
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