Sandra De Waele, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Lebanon, said on Thursday that the €1 billion package announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is intended “to support Lebanon” until 2027.
Speaking on Europe Day, De Waele elaborated on the purported aims of this financial support, which she said should “support the government in providing basic services to the most vulnerable people in the country,” in “key sectors such as social protection, health, water and education.”
This not only includes Syrian refugees, but also many – and a growing number of – Lebanese who benefit from EU funded social assistance programs, affordable primary healthcare services, access to clean water or newly rehabilitated public schools,” she said.
De Waele added that “already now, the large majority of this support benefits directly Lebanese citizens.”
Turning to the question of the overwhelming presence of displaced Syrians in Lebanon, the EU ambassador said she was fully aware of the concerns that “the Lebanese are raising regarding the presence of such a large number of Syrians,” recognizing “the heavy burden this entails.” In this context, she affirmed the EU’s view that “the future of Syrians lies in Syria.”
“The return of Syrians to Syria – in safety – remains the ultimate goal for all of us, and we hope to work together, in a constructive way, to make this a reality,” she argued.
To achieve this goal, she said the EU will invest “more heavily in legal pathways for refugees, so they can find job opportunities in Europe,” asserting that the EU “continues resettling refugees from Lebanon to Europe, to help alleviate the burden,” they represent for Lebanon.
In this context, De Waele announced future collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), “to develop a more structured approach to voluntary returns to Syria.”
At the same time, the Lebanese Army, General Security and Internal Security Forces will receive “the needed equipment and expertise to better manage Lebanon’s land and sea borders,” in the words of the ambassador.
She added, however, that resolving this “crucial” issue will take time, especially as it “will require the cooperation of more parties, other than Lebanon and Europe.”
